I Will Not Deny You!

The apostle Paul reminded the church of Christ at
Rome about the patriarch Abraham and his strength
concerning the promise of God. “He staggered not
at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in
faith, giving glory to God” (Rom. 4:20). To the church at
Corinth he would pen, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit
you like men, be strong” (1Cor. 16:13). When writing to the
church at Ephesus, he would exhort them to live worthy of their calling by writing, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in
the Lord, and in the power of his might (Eph. 6:10).

The Christian is commanded by God to be established
and strong in the faith (Col. 1:23, 1Cor. 15:58 ) not to be
moved or tossed to and fro (Eph. 4:14). However we learn
that the amount of fortitude and zeal we have can fall short.
The Holy Spirit provides the reader an example of someone
professing great strength and zeal for the Lord but when that
strength was tested, “the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”
(Matt. 26:41). Peter, stated “…Though I should die with thee,
yet will I not deny thee…” (Matt. 26:35). When the time came,
Peter would reject the notion that he had any connection
with Jesus three times. He failed to uphold his previous
zealous statement. After the third denial, Peter would leave
weeping bitterly (Luke 22:61-62). The weight of sin is heavy
(Ps. 38:4) and at times we may reason with ourselves that
there is no hope for forgiveness. However, we ought to
remember the words of the Hebrews writer.

Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have
a great high priest, that is passed into the
heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast
our profession. For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of
our infirmities; but was in all points tempted
like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore
come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we
may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.”

There are times we do fall short of the glory of God
(Rom. 3:23) and commit iniquity (Isa. 59:1-2). The aim is to
not sin (Rom. 6:1-2, 12; 1 John 2:1) and be holy (1 Pet. 1:15-
16). However, if we do sin God is ready to forgive (Neh. 9:17;
1 John 2:1). God knew we would sin and created the way
for all to access forgiveness, the blood of Jesus the Christ
(Titus 1:2, Revelation 13:8, John 1:29; Jer. 31:31-34;
Matt. 26:28; Acts 13:38; Col. 1:14; Heb. 9:14; 22;
1 Pet. 1:18-19).

Before Peter’s denial, Jesus told Peter that Satan desired
to have and sift him like wheat. Even with that statement,
Jesus provided Peter with strength, “But I have prayed for
thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted,
strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). Jesus knew he would
be weak and deny him three times but prayed for Peter not
to fail but to strengthen the brethren. The Apostle Peter,
would later write in his first epistle, “But the God of all
grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10).

Christians should continue to walk in the light and confess
their faults knowing they have an advocate and mediator
with the Father (1 John 1:5-2:2, Tim. 2:5). Pick yourself up
(Prov. 24:16) and keep pressing on to the prize (Phil. 3:14).
Let us be reminded of Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able
also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by
him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

-Ethan Adams