Friday: Further Thought – Be Who You Are
As we saw, Peter knew that he was soon to die. And he knew (and for a long time, too), how he was going to die. That’s because Jesus Himself had told him. “‘Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish’” (John 21:18, NKJV).
What was his end?
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“Peter, as a Jew and a foreigner, was condemned to be scourged and crucified. In prospect of this fearful death, the apostle remembered his great sin in denying Jesus in the hour of His trial. Once so unready to acknowledge the cross, he now counted it a joy to yield up his life for the gospel, feeling only that, for him who had denied his Lord, to die in the same manner as his Master died was too great an honor. Peter had sincerely repented of that sin and had been forgiven by Christ, as is shown by the high commission given him to feed the sheep and lambs of the flock. But he could never forgive himself. Not even the thought of the agonies of the last terrible scene could lessen the bitterness of his sorrow and repentance. As a last favor he entreated his executioners that he might be nailed to the cross with his head downward. The request was granted, and in this manner died the great apostle Peter.” – Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 537, 538. And yet, even with this prospect before him, Peter’s concern was for the spiritual well-being of the flock.
Discussion Questions:
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Are we that close to Jesus só we may die for Him?
"Be who you are"? I are a Christian, therefore I be a Christian unto the end. Hince forth is laid up for me a crown. Maurice the text and meaning from chapter and book please.
I once heard a famous Adventist pastor (now deceased) say something that encouraged me greatly as I considered my new found faith in Christ and the Adventist message. I can't remember the exact words, but I remember clearly the message. When we need the faith that can move mountains, God will give it, but every day, we must exercise faith (trust) given us in the smaller things. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (trust). It comes from a personal experience with the Word of God. Then he said, something that is so true and simple, we cannot overlook it. "Little time with Jesus, little faith. Much time with Jesus, much faith." Peter had spent "much time with Jesus" and demonstrated a faith that would move mountains for generations to come.
In answer to question # 1, I think we fail to "be what we are" in Jesus because we are not always focused on Jesus and His Character but we are focused, instead, on the world and worldliness around us. The world has an expectation of us that we are led to think we have to live up to. We cannot live up to the expectatation of the world and Heaven also. It's one or the other.
We need to be continually asking for and permitting the Holy Spirit to be the primary motivation of our will. His Love will make us like Jesus, not conforming to this world. We will, then, be a light in this world.
In answer to question # 5, I find that that trust in God is my antidote for grief. He is trustworthy. There is no need to spend lots of time and energy on grief when we are trusting in God for everything.
When we know God as He is we know that all things do work together for good for His true children.