the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Grace for Today
Matthew 26:69-75
Peter’s fall and restoration
Read Psalms 51:1-19
Peter was a true believer, a disciple of Christ, a righteous and godly man. But in his hour of weakness he fell into grievous sin, denying his Lord and Redeemer three times. Peter was not the infallible Bishop of Rome, as the Catholics pretend He was a fallible, sinful man, like the rest of us. Peter was tempted and he fell but he was not forsaken. The Lord graciously restored his erring child.
Like Peter, we are all fickle, frail, sinful pieces of human flesh. Saved? Yes. Redeemed? Yes. Justified? Yes. Sanctified? Yes. In Christ all these blessings are ours, and more. But none of us is without Sin (1 John 1:8-10). Far from it! Sin is mixed with everything we do. There is no evil in the world we would not readily commit, were not the evil passions of our hearts restrained by the grace of our God (Matthew 15:19). Let us not be proud, presumptuous, and self-confident (1 Corinthians 4:7; 1 Corinthians 10:12). Realizing our own sinfulness, we should never be severe with our brethren (Galatians 6:1).
Salvation is entirely by the grace of God. Surely, this record of Peter’s fall should convince all that salvation is not, in any measure whatsoever, dependent upon good works (Ephesians 2:8-9). From start to finish, salvation is by grace alone. Our standing and acceptance with God are not determined by what we do, but by what Christ has done for us.
Peter also sets before us an undeniable proof that those who are saved by the grace of God can never be lost (John 10:27-29). Those who are in Christ are secure in him. We are kept and preserved by the power of God. Nothing can ever sever one of the Lord’s own from him. As our Lord prayed for Peter, he prays for us, and God will not charge any with Sin for whom Christ undertakes to be an Advocate (1 John 2:1-2; Romans 4:8). None of us has reason to boast of our faithfulness. Who would dare? But we all have reason to boast of the faithfulness of God our Savior, who will not let us perish!
