Peter was a man to whom probably all of us can
relate. It seems that early in the ministry of Christ, Peter was
always acting impulsively or speaking before thinking. I am reminded
of the arrest of our Lord in Mathew 26, when Peter drew his sword
and cut off Malchus' ear. Christ told him to put the sword away.
Also, when Christ was transfigured, Peter wanted to build three
tabernacles; but God said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom
I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:5). Acting or
speaking impulsively is a problem plaguing many of us yet today
and no doubt will continue as long as the world stands.
In the English language, the meaning of words
can be diminished or altered through years of overuse or misuse.
The word "gay" certainly does not mean what it once
did. People carelessly throw the word "awesome" around
when describing even the most trivial things. Another word which
we have reduced, I believe, is the word "never."
"Never" is defined, "Not at any
time" ( Vine); "Not at all"; "positively not"
(Funk & Wagnalls). It is a very strong, definite, absolute
word. Even so, we hear, "I'll never speak to you again!"
or "I'd never do anything like that!" I recall hearing
a preacher comment that he "almost shudders" when we
sing "I'll Never Forsake My Lord." That is the right
goal for Christians. However, we need to keep in mind Paul's warning
in 1 Corinthians 10:12, "Wherefore let him that thinketh
he standeth take heed lest he fall."
That is exactly what happened to Peter. He responded
to Christ's prediction saying, "Though all men shall be offended
because of thee, yet will I never be offended" (Mt
26:33). Jesus went on to say that Peter would deny Him three times
before the rooster crowed that night. In verse 35 Peter said,
"... I will not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples."
By the time we get to the end of Chapter 26, it has happened.
Never think you are too strong to fall.
Even before this denial of Christ, Peter's hasty
words were met with rebuke. In John 13, Christ was teaching the
disciples a lesson in humility and service. He began to wash their
feet, and, when He came to Peter, Peter stopped Him saying, "Thou
shalt never wash my feet." (v.8). Jesus responded
saying, "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me."
Peter then said, "not my feet only, but also my hands and
my head." Should not Peter have realized that if Jesus was
doing something it was for a very good reason? Never question
the will of God.
I certainly don't mean to imply that we should
never use the word "never" for it definitely has a place
in our hope. In His discussion with a woman of Samaria, Jesus
told her in John 4:14, "But whosoever drinketh of the water
that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water
that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing
up into everlasting life." "Everlasting life" is
another way of saying "never-ending life"
Jesus also said, in John 6:35, "... I am
the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger."
We now return to Peter who, after he learned and grew, summed
up a treatise in 2 Peter 1:10-11: "Wherefore the rather,
brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure:
for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so
an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
(never ending -jak.) kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Obedience to God is the key. Consider these sobering
words of Christ found in Mathew 7:21-23: "Not every one that
saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many
will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied
in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."
Let us obey God that we might one day rise to
Heaven and enjoy the never ending pleasure that awaits. Through
faith, repentance, baptism for the remission of our sins and faithful
living (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16; Revelation 2:10) we will never
know the real horror of hell. 70 Gale Ave., Newport, OH 45768.