John 18:10: Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

I am a fighter. I always have been. from the time I was small ( the smallest kid on the block) I would fight back. It didn’t matter how big you were, if you mistreated me or someone I cared about you would have me to deal with. As I have gotten older, I still fight back. My tools now are my mouth and my intellect rather than my fists.  I lead with my heart always, I would like to think, with the best of intentions; the truth is however, this is an area that God continues to work on in me.

I understand Peter because, in many ways I am Peter. A former pastor once called me a Peter apologist. I had given a message during Lent on Matthew 14: 25-33 in which I made the point that while Peter did lose faith; it happened while he was out on the water and the 11 other disciples were huddled in the boat. While the rest were huddled in fear, Peter had the faith to do as his Lord commanded and come. He slipped and fell, or sank, in this case, along the way; but Jesus was there for Peter as he is for us today; to pick us up when we fail.

For those that walk with Christ this rings true: Jesus is there to pick us up when we fall – and we fall a lot. To those that say when looking at Christians, “You are all a bunch of hypocrites!” I agree and would add: there is always room for one more.

Humans are emotional creatures, some more than others. On a whole, all people have the tendency to allow their emotions to get the best of them at times. Have you ever said something in the heat of the moment only to think the better of it later? Or, acted on impulse only to realize later that it was the wrong choice? If you answered yes to either or both of those questions, congratulations! You are human just like the rest of us.

The word is impulsive. among the many bad connotations that surround the word there is good that comes from being impulsive as well, As with all things  When the Holy Spirit is involved, when God is involved, all things happen for His glory! Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Mark 8:29:

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”

Peter did not come to this revelation on his own. He most assuredly had prompting from the Holy Spirit. In the gospel of John ( see vv. 6:68) after Peter makes this bold statement Jesus says starting in verse   70, “Did I not choose you the twelve?” In this statement, Jesus clarifies and reminds that the disciples are there by divine appointment, thus removing any thought of human pretense from the equation. In essence He is saying, ” you didn’t come to this conclusion alone or by your own wits. God is here and I am in charge.

In our everyday dealings as Christians, we are inundated by the world and its misguided philosophies. I speak for myself when I say that many times, i have the urge to correct and fight back. I grow tired of the rampant sin of the world being misrepresented as tolerance. But where I really get bent out of shape is when that tolerance is justified by the gross misrepresentation of holy scripture.

Oh boy! When I come across this my blood boils and often times, I fight back. I start swinging the sword of righteousness forgetting that it was never mine to swing in the first place. Romans 3:10: As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one. Scripture tells us that we are all sinners and only through acceptance of Jesus as our savior are we cleansed. We have no right to swing a sword that by our inherent sinful nature we can’t even wield. Jesus is judge and will do so; trust in that. I Peter: 4-5: They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Jesus Christ has already won the battle. He has conquered sin and death so stop fighting. Instead  share what Jesus means to you. Live it out in your life. We can not argue people into the kingdom. We can lay them at the feet of Jesus; at thee foot of the empty cross and allow the Holy Spirit to bring them to victory!

Grace & Peace,

LD

*If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, email me at savedIIserve@gmail.com and let me know! I will be happy to lead you through what the bible says about salvation and accepting Jesus Christ as your savior.*