Six Trials

Six Trials
Matt. 26:75

75 And [kai] Peter [Petros] remembered [mnaomai] the word [rhema] of Jesus [Iesous] , which [ho] said [ereo] unto him [autos] , Before [hoti] [prin] the cock [alektor] crow [phoneo] , thou shalt deny [aparneomai] me [me] thrice [tris] . And [kai] he went out [exo] , and [exerchomai] wept [klaio] bitterly [pikros] . KJV-Interlinear

75 And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, 'Before a cock crows, you will deny Me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly. NASB

As stated in 2 Peter 3:17-18,
17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard lest, being carried away by the error of unprincipled men, you fall from your own steadfastness, 18 but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. NASB

No one is without excuse in life. We all come to Christ with the knowledge of our failures and our spiritual options. Most people simply ignore their spiritual life or are indifferent to it. Some people take it for granted. Some presume that they have all they need in their spiritual life, and do not see any need for a regimented daily study. The smallest minority (which is the only really true minority in all of creation) consists of those who take their spiritual life seriously and pursue it as though they will never be able to get enough, as though there will not be a tomorrow. To these comes true spiritual maturity.

This status is open to everyone. Most do not ever attain it, because they just don't go after it. Then something happens in life and their eyes are opened and they finally see the error of their ways. Maybe.

Peter had a shock treatment, and dramatic wake up call. When he heard the rooster crow, and then turned to see Christ looking at him, he remembered the words of Jesus as they applied to him personally.

We all face Christ in our life. His words are here in the Bible, and everyone knows of them to some degree whether they acknowledge them or not.

What is at stake? First, life in eternity is at stake. The alternative is hell and the difference between the two is virtually infinite. The choice between a life of perfect happiness and a life of perfect torment and fear should be a no brainer decision. Why would anyone be so stubborn as to reject Christ, and by that, place themselves in the Lake of Fire forever?

The second decision people face is a repetitive decision, made everyday of ones life. And that is to advance in their spiritual lives by learning Gods Word and growing up spiritually. Again, the differences between the spiritually mature and the spiritually immature is also, virtually infinite. Sure everyone who believes in Christ will go to heaven, and everyone will have resurrection bodies, but only those who have been true and faithful servants (spiritually mature) will receive those blessings which are above and beyond our imagination. Most of us can imagine a lot, so this makes these blessings unbelievably vast.

We have a choice in life. We can pursue our spiritual life which will greatly enhance our life here on earth as well as in eternity, or we can ignore it all and think up our own ideas of how we think life should be.

Peter did this and he was wrong. Anyone who does this (defines their own spiritual life, or ignores it) will fail.

God is gracious and gives us many wake up calls in our life. For some it will be these simple words and they will get with a program of Daily Bible study. For others the hammer has to come down on them just a little bit harder, and for others harder still. Why subject yourself to increased levels of pain and misery, just by being stubborn with regard to your spiritual life?

On several occasions we have used a mountain of gold as an example of our target goal. There it is. All we have to do is advance toward it, get into Gods boat, and let Him do the rowing, but many get distracted.

They get into their own boat, one of their own design and veer off in another direction. Many try to get to it by their own means - they never make it. They get lost in the fog and fall off the end of the earth. Still others will lose sight of the mountain (in the fog or darkness of their soul) and then start to believe that there never was a mountain. Still others will begin to care less about the mountain. They'll get caught up in their daily rowing and that becomes the extent of their reality and their priority of life. The first three chapters of Revelation (which we have already studied) covers these various attitudes and the repercussions of loss of blessing as a result.

Peter woke up. First in deep remorse, but later in prayer and a more concentrated attitude toward God and His Word. Peter got back with a study program. See the quoted verse from 2 Pet. above.

Peter left the courtyard and left the area. He went away to be alone with his shame, and to re-collect his thoughts. He had the opportunity of as life time, to actually spend time with God. To walk with Him. To see Him work. To hear Him speak. To learn from the only one who knows literally everything. Peter could of asked Jesus anything. Peter had this opportunity for over three years, and he blew it. He let his own ego and his own ideas get in the way, and he lost out.

You too, have a tremendous opportunity, just as Peter had. No, God is not here physically walking with you from day to day, but His Word is here, and that is all you need in order to advance to a life beyond your dreams.

So now the question. Do you look at this (Bible study stuff) with a ho hum attitude? Do you ignore it? Do you 'try' to work it into your life (when you have time)? And if so, are you prepared for the tears, the huge crocodile tears, that are inevitable in your life? Tears that will accompany your deep remorse for 'your' loss?

Or .......

Do you do something else?

Subscribe Daily Bible Study Mailing List Receive Daily Bible Studies directly into your inbox.