Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Preserving Self….

Here’s is why we can’t trust ourselves, even if we are believers. Because when push comes to shove, we will fail. Unless God is in control of our lives, meaning we have submitted to the Holy Spirit, we will fail. That means letting God down, letting others down, and disappointing ourselves. Peter did it, and he did it well. He denied Knowing Jesus, Whom he walked with for 3 years. Why? To preserve himself. That’s exactly what our human, sinful nature does. It tries to preserve self over truth. Promote self over others. Preserve self over God. It’s not until we realize that it’s the Holy Spirit that drives us, empowers us, and helps us live the way God intended, that we “get it”. It’s not out of obligation, or trying to earn our salvation, rather it’s a response to what was given to us, God’s Grace. It’s dying to self every day, taking up our cross, and following Jesus that we truly begin to live. I don’t fully understand what all of this entails, but I do know that I can’t trust myself. I can only trust God to direct my life in the way He wants me to live. Humility starts with this realization. And it grows and matures the more we allow the Spirit of God to work in and through us. Peter learned this, and we should learn from Peter’s example. Of course we can learn from our own failures (proof of the truth of this passage), but you can save yourself a lot of pain by learning it now (from reading this) and from Peter’s failure documented in scripture. Jesus can heal and restore a broken soul. Why not start today? Ask Him to forgive you of your struggle with self, and hand the reins over to Him. He’s been driving a lot longer than you or me.

69 Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”70 But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.71 Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”72 Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.73 A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”74 Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying–I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.75 Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know Me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly. Matthew 26:69-75

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