Luke 22:31-34 ESV
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Jesus is speaking to Peter, but the Greek word for you is plural. Satan is sifting all of us. The purpose of Satan in creation is that we might be tested and purified to create children of the light. Just as the letters to the churches in Revelation are addressed to particular churches at that time and place, the messages are for all of us in the body of Christ.
It is possible and probable that people of faith will weaken and turn in their walk with Christ, meandering from the path, or even in the opposite direction. Faith not only leads us, but can bring us back to the Lord. In both cases there is one source of light that guides through and out of the darkness. It is the light of God's word calling and speaking on our behalf that provides the way.
We have been given the grace of life everlasting, but it requires faith to the end, a race to be finished, and a life lived and ending with that faith that finally overcomes the world.
Jesus knows our weakness and is faithful to forgive if we repent of our sin. The living water of the Holy Spirit will then provide a peace that is real, making us clean and presentable to the Lord.
The rooster may crow, but the dove will prevail.
No comments:
Post a Comment