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Knowing that shortly I must put off this my
Tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has Showed me. 2Pt 1:14 Peter is very much like you and me. We see him confess he is a sinful man when Jesus tells him to throw the net over the side of the boat in Luke 5. We see him rebuked by Jesus in Mt16 when he tells Jesus he should not go to the cross. We see him deny Christ three times at Jesus trial. Yet we also see him heal the cripple at the gate Beautiful after Pentecost. But even after Pentecost, Peter is rebuked by Paul this time for fearing the Jews when he is eating with the Gentiles in Gal2. Now we see Peter accept death by crucifixion as self finally gives way to the will of God. The progression in the bible seems to be overcoming sin through the blood of Christ and faith (Rm6), then overcoming the flesh through sanctification of the Spirit (Rm8) and now in 2Pt we see Peter overcoming self. Idolatry is putting anything in the place of God. It could be money or a relationship or our business or power. Ultimately the thing that has to die is self. When Peter leaves the Gentiles to eat with the Jews in Gal2 it is because he has become self-conscious. Self has taken the place of God’s will and he is no longer in the will of God. Self-consciousness is separation. God-consciousness is oneness. When we are one with God our heart does not condemn us and we have confidence in God and whatsoever we ask we receive because we keep his commandments and do what is pleasing in his sight (1Jn3). Not even the baptism in the Holy Spirit guarantees that we will not enthrone self over God. Peter is a case in point. Many a Christian has gone back from serving God because self has been wounded or embarrassed or humbled. Pride balks at washing feet or serving others or putting self in the third place in life. Unless God is first, our neighbor second or equal with self we have not come to the place where God can use us or teach us or humble us. Because of the fall of Adam and Eve self has taken the place of God in our life and it takes a long time and much patience and trials to die to self and allow God and the Holy Spirit to have his way with us. We must take up our cross and deny our self and follow Jesus. Not many are willing to do this. It means suffering persecution and trials and being wounded and humbled. But if we die to self and are filled with the Holy Spirit God can use us or put us on the shelf. It is up to Him. Let God have his way with you. Let him deal with sin, the flesh, and ultimately self and you will be a vessel meet for the Master’s use. Humble your (self) in the sight of God and He will lift you up. Let God mold you as you yield to him and in the end you will be forever blessed. Amen |