“[The soldiers] seized [Jesus] and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ And a little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not.’ And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, ‘Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” [1]
We met at a local coffee shop. In a rage, he had walked away from the fellowship of the church, renouncing his membership in the assembly, vowing never to return. I sought to discover the source of his discontent as a first step in seeking reconciliation. “You’re a coward,” he growled. He was angry that I had not publicly excoriated a fellow elder whom he had decided needed to be publicly humiliated. My refusal to agree with his assessment did nothing to mollify him.
I responded evenly to his salacious charge, “Of course I am a coward. I don’t enjoy fighting and I will do whatever I can short of compromising the Faith to seek unity among the people of God.” This was not the answer my once strongest supporter was anticipating. He was nonplused at my reply, and unable to immediately respond, though he was still obviously seething.
In point of fact, I don’t know anyone who has been in a conflict that didn’t have a measure of hesitation. At an extreme end of conflicts, Marines who have been in combat may be reluctant to speak of the fear they felt, but in unguarded moments they will acknowledge the fear they felt. Their training enabled them to perform the difficult, though necessary, tasks they were assigned; but fear was a reality, nevertheless. Police have a measure of fear when they are called upon to do the hard tasks that society demands of them in confronting people who have violated the norms of civil society. Do you suppose that an officer has no fears when approaching a car after a traffic stop? They are utterly dependent that those in the vehicle will be honourable and compliant.
Fear is a constant part of life. And when great threats are made against our person, the fear we feel may well be seen as cowardice. Each of us can look back at times when we were confronted by challenges, and our response was less than satisfying. Each of us has played the game of, “I should’ve…” or “I could’ve…” The point of making this statement is that each of us has experienced times that left us dissatisfied with our reaction to the challenge.
Few of us know precisely how we will respond when we are threatened because we hold to the Faith. We would be well advised to avoid boasting of what we would do if we should suffer an assault against our person, or an assault against our family, because of what we believe. We hope we would respond with courage, but we don’t know that we would be courageous. Nor shall we be able to speak of our response until that response is required.
In the comedic movie “Monty Python and the Holy Grail,” the bravest knights are denoted for their boldness in running away. “Run away! Run away!” becomes the byline for each dangerous encounter of the movie. It could well be the unofficial motto of many of the saints. Oh, we are bold enough in daily interactions in the world, but when challenged to defend the Faith, we are masters of deflecting ridicule, of running from even giving the appearance of standing firm in the Faith of Christ the Lord. Perhaps that should not be so surprising in light of Jesus’ cautionary warning to His disciples as He prepared them for His Passion and what they would face because of their faith in Him.
A FOOLISH BOAST — “Jesus said to [the disciples], ‘You will all fall away, for it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even though they all fall away, I will not.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’ But he said emphatically, ‘If I must die with you, I will not deny you.’ And they all said the same” [MARK 14:27-31].
Peter was much like many of us. He had an optimistic opinion of his abilities. Moreover, his fierce determination encouraged the other disciples to likewise assert their determination to stand firm. However, no one knows how he or she will respond to the challenges we must face. We imagine that we will be courageous, perhaps even heroic. Then, reality intrudes. Threats to our stability, to our relationships, to our person, to our life, can transform us from a bold person standing resolutely against all the trials of life, into a craven soul seeking respite wherever we might find it. Peter actually thought he could stand in the violent gales that would soon engulf the little band of disciples.
The Psalmist cautions those who are given to boasting when he writes,
“I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”
[PSALM 75:4-5]
We do not know how we will respond when the foul winds blow. Commit your way to the Lord and trust that He will hold you up even though you may stumble. Though you dare not trust your strength, know that the Lord upholds you with His great right hand, just as the Psalmist has testified
“My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.”
[PSALM 63:8].
The trials of English Reformers consumed in the flames during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots, should give pause to anyone who imagines he is capable of standing firm in the face of adversity. The Martyrs Memorial in Oxford commemorates men who were burned at the stake outside of Balliol Castle. As he was fastened to the stake, Hugh Latimer shouted out, “Be of good comfort, Master Ridley, and play the man. We shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England as, I trust, shall never be put out!” [2]
Bold as that assertion would be, the situation for Thomas Cranmer was different. Through his studies, he adopted the view that rejected the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation, emphasizing the completeness of Christ’s death on the cross. However, when compelled to stand trial, Cranmer attempted to preserve his life by recanting his faith. It was the strain of prolonged imprisonment and psychological pressure that led to his collapse. However, though he recanted his faith on six occasions, he was nevertheless ordered to be burned at the stake. Just before he was burned on March 21, 1556, to the dismay of his persecutors, he recanted his recantation, abjured the pope’s authority and reasserted his former opinions.
Thomas Cranmer died bravely, placing his right hand in the flames to show his regret at publishing what was contrary to the truth. As he held his right hand in the flame, he testified that it was because the hand had written “many things untrue.” He was said to have removed his hand from the flame only once to wipe his brow, until death overtook him. [3] To be certain, Cranmer died a brave man; but he also died a contrite man as result of his repeated denials.
Even among those who once walked among us were a surprising number who boasted that they would stand firm regardless of what might come. I recall a man who often boasted that he would stand firm in the Faith if opposition came. He was quite confident that he would align with the truth and stand firm against all odds. His resolve was not matched by reality, for it didn’t take much to cause him to move on. There were horizons that presented less challenge for him; the potential of being able to face less determined foes won over his resolve.
I’m not disparaging this particular man. No doubt he imagined he could stand firm whatever should come, but the challenge of standing with the Faith is demanding. And that is the purpose of relating this story. Christians will be challenged by the world; their resolve will be tested always. We who follow the Lord quickly discover that wickedness and wicked people do not readily surrender the field to the faithful. Evil persists and righteousness grows tired.
Long years past a Puritan divine wrote, “Say not that thou hast royal blood running in thy veins, and art begotten of God, except thou canst prove thy pedigree by this heroic spirit, to dare to be holy despite men and devils. The eagle tries her young ones by the sun; Christ tries his children by their courage, that dare to look on the face of death and danger for his sake…” [4]
Writing the saints in Corinth, Paul issues a stern warning that needs to be heard in this day. Allow me to cite the extended passage so that you are precisely apprised of what the Apostle wrote. “I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
“Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” [1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-13].
The people whom God had delivered from slavery in Egypt are in view in Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians. Israel witnessed the mighty power of the LORD to deliver His people by opposing the power of the sole super state at that time. They saw God part the waters of the Red Sea, and they passed through without so much as getting the sole of a single shoe wet. Those same waters came crashing down on the Egyptian army as that army presumed to pursue Israel. God’s people were fed with the food of Heaven and they drank water from the Rock that followed them. They witnessed power and provision that no one else had ever seen.
And yet, these same people thought they could stand in their own strength when they were tempted. The result of their presumption was almost immeasurable when thousands of the Hebrew people died in a single day. They were slain by poisonous serpents. They grumbled against the Lord and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Then, having reviewed this dark history of Israel, the Apostle warns, “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” [1 CORINTHIANS 10:12]. Like us, they thought they could make decisions concerning worship based on their own abilities, not understanding that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick” [JEREMIAH 17:9a]. It is doubtful that any of us can understand the depths of degradation that contaminates our lives. We desperately need God’s mercy and grace, because of our own broken condition. And now the Corinthians were being confronted with their need.
Paul then makes a summary statement that is important for us to hear because it points us to the means by which we can avoid such devastating judgements. Paul points to God, stating, “God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” [1 CORINTHIANS 10:13]. By looking to God, we draw on His strength. We dare not imagine that we can stand in our own strength, because it is insufficient to keep us from falling. We will be tempted, but by looking to the Living God, we will discover that He has provided the way of escape even before we knew that we needed such an escape.
I urge each individual who walks in this Holy Faith, don’t overestimate your strength, your ability to withstand the storms of life that rage about you. None of us know what we can endure, and it is certain that when we depend on our own strength, we will fail. Martin Luther was correct when he penned the words,
Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing [5]
We have no strength in the spiritual fight to which we have been called—and make no mistake, we are appointed to battle. In the face of our foe, we must never think we can stand in our own strength. Any attempt to lean on our own ability is to ensure that we must lose the battle.
A TRAGIC CRASH — “[The soldiers] seized [Jesus] and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house, and Peter was following at a distance. And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, ‘This man also was with him.’ But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ And a little later someone else saw him and said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not.’ And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, ‘Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about.’ And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly” [LUKE 22:54-62].
I can surely empathize with Peter. I’ve been there, having failed my Saviour. Perhaps you have been there as well. You may recall a time you won a great victory, perhaps even a series of victories, and then you folded. At that time, you wanted to stand firm, but you could no longer stand. Exhausted, utterly fatigued, unable to find the energy for one final push, your sole concern was getting out from under the burden that had beaten you down. Let’s be honest enough to admit that each of us, if we’ve been in this Christian way for even a brief time, know what it is to experience defeat. God wasn’t defeated! But we were worn out and incapable of going any farther.
Peter hit the skids. This must surely have been the low point of his ministry. Isn’t it interesting how one moment can destroy years of success? Peter had accomplished so much during the three and one-half years he had walked the dusty trails of Judea and Galilee with the Master. He had been a source of encouragement to the other disciples, a true leader in every way. Perhaps he was rambunctious, even somewhat obtuse at times, but he had actually done something when others had hung back.
Peter had walked on the waves of a tempestuous sea. None of the other disciples had even attempted to get out of the boat. When Jesus had taught the disciples of the need for unity in order to conduct the work of the assembly [see MATTHEW 18:15-20], it was Peter who had voiced the question seeking clarification when the others were silent. Peter asked, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times” [MATTHEW 18:21]?
Peter’s brash affirmation of bravery encouraged the other disciples to also assert their bravery before the inevitable time of testing. When Matthew relates how Peter boasted of his willingness to stand with Jesus, a brief statement is appended to the account. The statement echoes what Mark wrote, writing Peter’s memories of that dark night. It was shortly after the institution of the Lord’s Supper, and Jesus led the disciples out to the Mount of Olives, There, Jesus spoke with those who followed Him. “‘You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, “I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.” But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.’ Peter answered him, ‘Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ Peter said to him, ‘Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!’” Pay particular attention to the next sentence in this pericope: “And all the disciples said the same” [MATTHEW 26:31-35]. Peter’s brashness was infectious. These disciples were not really emboldened, but their intentions were bolstered when Peter boasted of his intention to stand firm.
There is a difference between brashness and faith, though that difference is not always apparent. Our world seemingly adulates the brash, even as it depreciates faith. Brashness looks to our own abilities or strength; faith looks to Christ as the source of all we may ever accomplish. We are brash whenever we assert what we will do. We are speaking by faith when we look to Christ to fulfil His will. Brashness leads us to suffer from “I” strain. Faith leads us to confess, “Nevertheless, not my will, but Yours be done.” Faith humbly accepts that we serve a God who is too wise to make a mistake and too good to needlessly hurt His child. Faith is less concerned with what happens to us than it is concerned that Christ is glorified in how we conduct our life.
I have pastored for many years, and I have witnessed more than a few Christians who boasted of what they would do when faced with either spiritual assault or with physical attacks because of the Faith. I do not recall any that managed to stand firm. And the reason for the lack of steadfastness was that the ones boasting were focused on their own strength and not on the Saviour they thought they were following. Christ never asked His followers to attack the enemy. He commanded us to stand firm, occupying ground that He has already gained. Let me give you an example of what I am saying.
In the Ephesian Encyclical, the Apostle Paul has written this admonition for all who would actually serve the Saviour. “Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the devil’s strategies. For our struggle is not against human opponents, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers in the darkness around us, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly realm. For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.
“Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and being firm-footed in the gospel of peace. In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one, also take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times with every kind of prayer and request. Likewise, be alert with your most diligent efforts and pray for all the saints” [EPHESIANS 6:11-18 ISV]. Christians are to stand firm, not attack! Christ will do the conquering, not us.
I call on the people who hear me at this hour to avoid any boasting of what you will do in the trying hour. You know neither what you may be called to face nor the intensity of the storm that may break momentarily above your head. The only thing you can know for certain is that Christ your Saviour will not fail you. Because you belong to Him, you have His gracious promise, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” [MATTHEW 28: 20b].
Because you are a follower of the Risen Son of God, you have the sure Word of the Living God, Who has promised His people, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” [HEBREWS 13:5b].
How often I’ve encouraged myself by reviewing the Apostle’s view of the trials he faced. The Apostle wrote, “We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” [2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-11].
I understand that the Apostle wrote these words as he recalled the trials which the missionary band had faced during their labours expanding the Kingdom of the Risen Saviour. However, the same God who stood with those earliest missionaries is the same God who stands with us as we serve Him. The strength supplied to those first missionaries is available to each of us as we serve Christ in this day. Each of us who are following the Master can draw rich encouragement in the trials of life knowing that affliction cannot crush us if Christ stands with us. Though we may be perplexed, we will not be driven to despair. Though we may be persecuted, we will never be forsaken. Though those who oppose us may strike us down, we will not be destroyed.
The Psalmist has aptly testified,
“The LORD is on my side; I will not fear.
What can man do to me?”
[PSALM 118:6]
That Psalm echoes an earlier affirmation found in these same Psalms when the Psalmist wrote,
“In God I trust; I am not afraid.
What can mere men do to me?”
[PSALM 56:11 NET BIBLE]
Christ stands with His child, and His great right hand upholds the child whom He loves. This is the testimony of the Psalmist, and it is our testimony in our trials.
“My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.”
[PSALM 63:8]
With the Psalmist, the one who is beloved by the Lord will testify,
“You have given me the shield of your salvation,
and your right hand supported me,
and your gentleness made me great.
…
“You equipped me with strength for the battle;
You made those who rise against me sink under me.”
[PSALM 18:35, 39]
A GENTLE RESTORATION — Peter was humbled when he was forced to confront his weakness, to see himself in the harsh light of reality. Peter wasn’t as brave as he imagined. But we shouldn’t be too hard on the Big Fisherman—he had never faced the threat he would face when the Master was seized. Moreover, Peter wasn’t facing an ordinary foe. I know that we mock this big man for quailing before a little girl. But behind that little girl was a far more dangerous foe, a foe whom believers face to this day.
Before Jesus was seized, the Master had spoken to Peter. You will no doubt remember the exchange. Jesus said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers” [LUKE 22:31-32].
You see, Peter was not facing a little girl—the full power of hell was unleashed against Peter at that moment. I’m not suggesting that the little girl was a willing pawn of hell, but I am reminding you that the wicked one uses even innocuous incidents, events that appear superficially harmless, to attack the people of God. The evil one seeks your death! Satan wants to kill you! Isn’t that what we are taught when Jesus warns us, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” [JOHN 10:10a]. Peter was confronted by the great dragon, that foe of all that is righteous and holy—Peter was facing the devil at that moment. What is worse, Peter was facing the wicked one in his own strength. Rather than turning to Christ His shield, Peter attempted to stand in his own strength.
I am gratified to know that Peter didn’t simply turn from serving the Saviour. Peter’s defeat, his cowardice, though painful and distressing, became a means to strengthen him ultimately. As he draws his second missive to a conclusion, Peter appended this word of encouragement for those who would read what he had written. “Take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability” [2 PETER 3:17]. Peter learned that our stability, our ability to stand even in the storm that will surely assail us as followers of the Christ, is of utmost importance. Child of God, though you may have quailed at one point, though you may have fled in terror from the threat you faced, God can use your seeming defeat to glorify His Name. You can yet become a means of honour as God empowers you.
Later, we read that Peter was restored. John, writing many years after the sacrifice of the Saviour, wrote of the manner in which Jesus restored Peter to His service. “Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias, and he revealed himself in this way. Simon Peter, Thomas (called the Twin), Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, ‘I am going fishing.’ They said to him, ‘We will go with you.’ They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
“Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, ‘Children, do you have any fish?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in, because of the quantity of fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved therefore said to Peter, ‘It is the Lord!’ When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment, for he was stripped for work, and threw himself into the sea. The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.
“When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.’ So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast.’ Now none of the disciples dared ask him, ‘Who are you?’ They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.
“When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Feed my lambs.’ He said to him a second time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ He said to him, ‘Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.’ He said to him, ‘Tend my sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love me?’ Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, ‘Do you love me?’ and he said to him, ‘Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.’ (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, ‘Follow me’” [JOHN 21:1-19].
I’m so glad this pericope is included in the Gospel accounts. I don’t want to serve a Saviour who has no compassion for my struggles to be courageous. I’m so glad to learn that “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin” [HEBREWS 4:15]. To be sure, I need a sinless Saviour! But I need a Saviour who understands what I experience. I need a Saviour who understands the pressures I face. I don’t need a Saviour to excuse my weakness; but I do need a Saviour to understand my weakness.
In fairness to Peter, the Great Fisherman had attempted to stand in his own strength. The Spirit of God had not yet been given to those who followed the Master. What a transformation is noted after the Spirit of God descends. Peter intended to stand, he wanted to be strong, but he trusted in his own strength, and not in God’s power.
Earlier, I pointed to the warning Paul delivered to each follower of the Master, “Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall” [1 CORINTHIANS 10:12]. Elsewhere, he points to an example of Israel when they fell from favour as he cautions us who seek to follow the Lord to watch that we don’t grow proud, imagining that we are able to stand in our own strength. Cautioning us against exulting against God’s ancient people, Paul writes, “[Unbelieving Israel was] broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear” [ROMANS 11:20].
Years ago, a man purporting to be a preacher of the Word gained popularity among Evangelical churches as he preached a message advising Christians to arm themselves and flee to the hinterlands. [6] He was one of a succession of purported ministers of Christ carrying a message calling on the followers of Christ to live in fear. [7] He claimed that witches occupied all the positions of power within government and even among the sacred precincts of the churches of our Lord. These dark enemies, he claimed, were so powerful that we must prepare to fight them with the weapons of this world.
I marvelled that Christians, men and women who professed to know the conquering Son of God, even a number of prominent pastors, were caught up in the fear. A number of students came asking me what I thought of these men. I pointed them to what the Apostle to the Gentiles had written: “Though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” [2 CORINTHIANS 10:3-5].
I pointed to the reminder Paul delivered to a timid young preacher in Ephesus when he urged him, “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” [2 TIMOTHY 1:6-7].
I told those young preachers gathered about me to never forget that any message that tells us to fear, to rely on our own strength, to endeavour to run away from the world, does not come from the Living God who gives us victory. God calls us to look to Him, to stand firm in His strength, to refuse to surrender to fear. It is the same message that I tell you now. Stop being afraid and trust in the Lord. Those who oppose Christ may destroy the body, but they can never destroy the soul. I heard the Master say, “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” [LUKE 12:4-5]!
If I am abused, I will rejoice that I am counted worthy to share in the sufferings of my Lord. I will be humbled in the knowledge that “it has been granted to [me] that for the sake of Christ [I] should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake” [PHILIPPIANS 1:29].
If you should suffer for His sake, you know that “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” [2 THESSALONIANS 1:5-8].
I know the wicked can imagine multiple ways to attempt to humiliate us, to degrade the body, to make us cry out in pain; but I know that the wicked can never destroy our souls, for Christ has redeemed us and prepared a place for us. Amen.
Christians often speak about the cost of following Christ; we preachers casually speak of this subject. However, among the churches of our day, we seldom speak about the cost of denying Christ. And yet Christ’s words are very solemn, extremely sobering. Jesus said, “The one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God” [LUKE 12:9]. John Woodbridge has aptly noted, “By denying his denials, Cranmer confessed Christ before men. The apostle Peter denied our Lord, but after passing through the throes of sincere repentance, went on to deny his earlier denials. If we have denied Christ before our friends and associates in any way, we should make every effort to deny our denials before these same people. For the love of Christ, we can do no less.” [8]
Did you once flee before the voice of the dragon? Christ is still on the throne, and though you once fled in terror, He will strengthen you and enable you to stand against all that is yet to come. Is the memory of your flight still fresh in your mind? Do you doubt your strength or your resolve? You need not question the strength of our victorious Saviour. You need not doubt that He will stand firm to defend you as His child. Look to Him! Know that He is the Rock which cannot be moved. Know that when your feet are firmly planted on Him and on His gracious promise to keep you and preserve you, you shall never fall. Isn’t this the promise we are given when the Apostle to the Jews writes, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” [2 PETER 1:3-11]. Christ is victorious; and we, also, share in victory as we stand firm in His Name. Stand firm then, Christian. Amen.
[1] Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2016. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[2] P. Toon, “Ridley, Nicholas,” ed., J. D. Douglas and Philip W. Comfort, Who’s Who in Christian History (Tyndale House, Wheaton, IL 1992) 590
[3] H. O. Wakeman and Leighton Pullan, The Reformation in Great Britain, Second Edition, Oxford Church Text Books (Rivingtons, London 1907) 45-48; I. Breward, “Cranmer, Thomas,” ed., D. Douglas and Philip W. Comfort, Who’s Who in Christian History (Tyndale House, Wheaton, IL 1992) 180; John D. Woodbridge, “Weekend: Denying the Denials,” ed. Robert F. Ingram, Tabletalk Magazine, December 1990: In the Fullness of Time (Ligonier Ministries, Lake Mary, FL 1990) 23
[4] William Gurnall and John Campbell, The Christian in Complete Armour (Thomas Tegg, London, 1845) 6
[5] Martin Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” 1529
[6] See “John Todd (conspiracy theorist),” Wikipedia.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Todd_(conspiracy_theorist), accessed 26 October 2020
[7] Cf. “Mike Warnke,” Wikipedia.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Warnke, accessed 26 October 2020
[8] John D. Woodbridge, “Weekend: Denying the Denials,” ed. Robert F. Ingram, Tabletalk Magazine, December 1990: In the Fullness of Time (Ligonier Ministries, Lake Mary, FL 1990) 23
