mat 26v69 75 Peters Fall and Restoration

 

 

PETER'S FALL AND RESTORATION

   Matthew 26:69-75

Peter was a true believer, a disciple of Christ, a righteous and godly man. But, in his hour of weakness, he fell into grievous sin, denying his Lord and Redeemer three tames. Peter was not the infallible bishop of Rome, as the papists pretend. He was a fallible, sinful man, like the rest of us. (The only thing the pope has in common with Peter is his denial of Christ.) Peter was tempted, and he fell, but he was not forsaken. The Lord graciously restored his erring child.               

             Like Peter, WE ARE ALL FICKLE, FRAIL, SINFUL PIECES OF HUMAN FLESH. Saved? Yes. Redeemed? Yes.

Justified? Yes. Sanctified? Yes. In Christ all these blessings are ours, and more. But none of us are without sin (I John 1:8-10). Far from it! Sin is mixed with everything we do. There is no evil in the world we would not readily commit, were not the evil passions of our hearts restrained by the grace of our God (Matt. 15:19). Let us not be proud, presumptuous, and self-confident (I Cor. 4:7; 10:12). Realizing our own sinfulness, we should never be severe with our brethren (Gal. 6:1).               

                SALVATION IS ENTIRELY BY THE GRACE OF GOD. Surely, this record of Peter's fall should convince all that salvation is not in any measure whatsoever, dependent upon good works (Eph. 2:8-9). From start to finish, salvation is by grace alone. Our standing and acceptance with God is not determined by what we do, but by what Christ has done for us.

Peter also sets before us an undeniable proof that THOSE WHO ARE SAVED BY THE GRACE OF GOD CAN NEVER BE LOST (John 10:27-29). Those who are in Christ are secure in him. We are kept and preserved by the power of God. Nothing can ever sever one of the Lord's own from him. As our Lord prayed for Peter, he prays for us; and God will not charge any with sin for whom Christ undertakes to be an Advocate (I John 2:1-2; Rom. 4:8). None of us have reason to boast of our faithfulness. Who would dare? But we all have reason to boast of the faithfulness of God our Savior, who will not let us perish!