April 01, 2020-Chapter 4: "Peter's Repentance- Question 1

We now enter chapter 4, Peter's Repentance. This chapter I can personally relate to as I came to my own repentance in my life after being a Christian for over 35 years. The apostle Peter had to recognize his own "strong self-will" when he came to deny his Lord after Jesus's arrest. It was at that moment upon his third denial of his Lord in the courtyard of the High Priest, that Peter's eyes caught Jesus' eyes and Peter realized how sinful he truly was...even after walking with Jesus so closely for three years...and went away and cried bitterly.

I believe we all must come to recognize how truly sinful we are, even as a saved Christian and have walked with Him as well for sometime. Even though many of us recognize that we need Jesus as our Savior in our salvation, we still hold on to our "self-will" and begin to think over time that we're not so bad after accepting Jesus into our lives.

It was after my true and "absolute surrender" to my Lord, and recognizing daily that I am still a wretched sinner, that this knowledge of myself, keeps me surrender to Him. I'm not saying that I'm not forgiven for my sins...I know I am, but it is my acknowledgement of my sinful nature that keeps me humble before my Lord. (I Peter 5:6-8).

QUESTION 1:

In John 13: 36-38, Jesus told the apostle Peter that he could not follow Him now, but Peter stated, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.” Why was Peter not ready to follow Jesus now? What was it that Peter had to come to recognize in his life that disqualified him in fully serving Jesus at this time? (Page 39)

ANSWER To Question 1 (As stated by the Author)

Peter was not in a fit state to follow Christ, because he had not been brought to an end of himself; he did not know himself, and he therefore could not follow Christ. But when he went out and wept bitterly, then came the great change. Christ previously said to him: "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Here is the point where Peter was converted from self to Christ