Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.
I think I’ve already mentioned that my pastor, Larry Scott, is leading us in a study of grace. And although I’ve been studying God’s Word for many years, it’s been an eye-opening experience for me. I’ve been reminded how easily we can become deceived.
Week after week Pastor Larry has taught messages that prick my heart, prompting a weekly self-evaluation. I didn’t like what I saw. Over the next few Fridays I’m going to share a few of those points. Then I ask you to look at your own life and heart, and see if He reveals something unexpected to you.
God’s Amazing Grace—Grace to Come Back Home, Part 1 (Based on Pastor Larry Scott’s messages)
4 Causes of Falling Away From God, from Peter’s experience
1. Overconfidence in our spiritual lives. As Jesus shared with His disciples that they would betray Him, Peter proclaimed even if all betrayed Him, he would not, even if it meant Peter’s death. (Mark 14:27-31)
Overconfidence in our own ability to resist sin is a set-up for falling hard. The very thing that we feel strong about could be the very thing Satan will use to tear us down and ruin our testimony.
If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (NLT)
2. Spiritual laziness. Jesus asked Peter, James, and John to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, stating that His soul was “…overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” Jesus left them, went deeper into the garden, and cried out to the Father for the cup to pass from Him. Luke 22:44 says He prayed so desperately that He sweat drops of blood. Then, as you know, Jesus returned to find them asleep more than once. (Mark 14:32-42)
Jesus cried out on our behalf and sacrificed His life for our sin, and yet, we’re often too lazy to study His Word, fellowship with the Body in worship, and gather for Sunday School. We’re essentially pruning away His desires and grafting in our own.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 (NLT)
3. Fear of Disapproval. After Jesus was arrested, Peter—the one who said he would die for Him—followed at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. Later, he even denies knowing Jesus…just as Jesus had proclaimed hours earlier. (Mark 14:54a and 66-72)
We say we will die for Jesus, and yet, we often are quiet and won’t stand up to be counted for Him before His enemies and/or our peers.
Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Luke 9:26 (NIV)
4. We want a convenient faith. Peter not only followed the crowd at a distance into the courtyard of the high priest, but once there, he sat with the Roman guards, warming himself by the fire. Yes, Peter may have been cold, but isn’t that a small inconvenience for one who said he would die for Jesus? (Mark 14:54b)
How often to we turn from the proddings or even the commands of Jesus, simply because it isn’t convenient? We’re too tired, too self-centered, too important to reach out to others in ministry. It’s just too inconvenient to do what He’s commanded us to do: To love the Lord our God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)
So, where do you find yourself when you compare yourself to Peter and consider grace? As I said, I didn’t like what I found. I–like Peter–can think too highly of myself, confident in my ability to resist sin. I’m often lazy and weak in the face of disapproval, submitting to a faith of convenience. My prayer today is that each of us will be truly committed to whatever God calls us to…regardless of the cost. After all, it cost Jesus His very life.
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Please pray for my cousins, Bobby and Zach
I have two very seriously ill cousins who need your prayers. Bobby has an unbelievably large brain tumor and will be starting chemo and radiation next week. Another cousin, Zach, is only in his 30′s and has an aggressive form of early onset Parkinson’s Disease. We need two miracles in our family. Thank you for your prayers.
I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,
Vonda
