We had a thought provoking sermon at Church this morning. It was about the apostle Peter and his denial of ever having known Jesus. You can see where this sermon was going right? As Christians go, we are all equal and none of us is going to be any better than the apostle Peter when facing the same circumstances that he faced at the time of Jesus arrest.
The gauntlet was well and truly laid down for the parishioners to take up the challenge to make a genuine visible stand for Christ Jesus in their daily lives. Furthermore, we were challenged about our sin and the need to repent and be holy. This would be a lot for a young believer to take on as, so often, we confront them about repentance and standing up for the gospel and end up causing them to question whether they are actually saved.
As a mature Christian though I find it a timely reminder that I need to review my witness and my visibility as a servant of Jesus Christ. What do people see when they look at me as I live my life and do I hide in the background of life or am I a vibrant credible engager of the non Christian folk in our society?
Honestly, I find life a real struggle. I am not the confident competent sought. I prefer to blend in so being a key board warrior suits me. I wouldn't say boo to a mouse if I had my way. In fact, I would be happy to keep a low profile and slip through life and quietly shut the gate at the end. No fuss.
However, the Holy Spirit often reminds me of the requirement to get the gospel out there and to obey the great commission of Matthew 28 verses 18 - 20 "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. NKJV
So, I do as so many other Christians do and at the behest of my valiant Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I struggle on in my endeavour to represent Him to those around me. I find myself to be weak and lacking but I am assured by Him that He loves to use the weak as the instruments of His work and that His strength is perfected in my weakness. 2 Corinthians 12 verse 9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” NKJV
I pray that He makes me as brave and bold as a lion because I feel as weak and ineffective as a mouse. A coward rather than a warrior for God but I know that His work in me is ongoing until I stand resurrected in the Kingdom of God and I am finally perfected and complete. He will gradually reshape me into that brave warrior and protector of the gospel.
We live in a world that needs salvation. A world that needs Jesus Christ. An insane world that needs the love, compassion and sanity of the living God. If only we could convince mankind the Jesus is the way, the Truth and that He is the Life. No man comes to the Father but through Jesus Christ.
Come Lord Jesus.
