“Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
From Peter’s subconscious rose up the crow of the rooster. Failure, liar, traitor. Three denials of his Lord. Peter’s love could never have earned Jesus’ approval because he would always be prone to failing. It was only because of his master’s grace that Peter’s desire to do the right thing could ever be accomplished. Jesus wanted him to “feed [his] sheep,” not because Peter would never make a mistake, but because his love for Jesus was sourced first in Jesus’ love for him. Only in that power could Peter live and die for God. Peter stood, restored to ministry, and walked anew into his redeemed life.
Maybe you know someone who just can’t seem to get it right. Maybe you’re that person. If so, God wants you to know something: You are justified by him. Of course you will fail; we all fall down eventually. You may even betray him by turning your back on him when he doesn’t answer your prayers the way you want or by lashing out at someone who has hurt you or threatens you. But your failures define you only if you focus on them instead of your Savior. It is in his power and through his kindness that you are able to do good and fulfill his purposes for your life. Let the burden of your own guilt drop away and entrust yourself to the God who can give you true forgiveness.
Sally Clarkson is the author of numerous books. Her son Joel Clarkson is a composer and editor. Adapted from A Different Kind of Hero, the companion study guide to Different: The Story of an Outside-the-Box Kid Who and a Mom Who Loved Him (both Tyndale Momentum). © 2017. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
