Peter loved the Lord very dearly, yet in a moment of weakness he stumbled. Jesus in that wonderful foreknowledge of God knew this would happen and warned Peter in advance, adding, “I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail” Luke 22:31-32. What a wonderful thought that if we stumble in a moment of weakness God does not forsake us, and that Jesus is “even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us” Romans 8:34. What we need to do is follow Peters’ example as we see it in Luke 22:54-62, when he stumbled and realized what he had done “he went out and wept bitterly” – he repented! Was he restored? Absolutely! In John’s gospel 21:1-17 after His resurrection Jesus confronts Peter with the question “Do you love Me?” To which Peter responds in the affirmative and then Jesus re-commissions him in kingdom service! Yes, if we stumble in a moment of weakness our merciful Father is ready to forgive and restore if only we repent; “…If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins…” 1 John 1:8-2:2. And now as part of Christ’s body, as Christians, we are to act like Jesus, and when we see someone stumble to “restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness” Galatians 6:1. Never go forth as a talebearer spreading the gossip of what a fellow Christian did; God commanded His people in Leviticus 19:16 saying, “You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people…” Carry that Brother or Sister on your shoulders before the Lord (see 1 John 5:16-17) and treat them with the love and compassion of Jesus Himself.
Jesus Said To Peter
By Rose Hill
You have wondered away from the fold,
Your love for Me has become cold.
You have denied that Me you knew,
But I have sincerely prayed for you.
I prayed that your faith won’t ever fail,
And over evil you will prevail.
So when to My presence you have returned,
Remember that for your soul I have yearned.
And then My will for you is this,
That you strengthen others who went amiss.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.