Hey Guys,
I came across the story of Peter's confession of Christ in Matthew 16 over the last weekend. This is probably a familiar story to most of us, the disciples were asked who they thought Jesus was and Simon Peter replied (correctly) that he was "the Christ, Son of the living God." This gave Peter some street cred, until Jesus pointed out that it was the Father who revealed the answer to him. A few verses later Peter demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of his own answer as he rebuked Jesus (and was promptly called "Satan" - which probably lost him what little credit he had left).
While this juxtaposition of Peter getting thing so right and so wrong within the space of a few verses is almost comical, I was reminded that this is so often myself. Where I would know, in a purely intellectual sense, some aspect or characteristic of God, but my living fail to demonstrate that knowledge having seeped into my understanding. There is a decided lack of humility that should accompany what I understand about the holiness of God and the miraculous grace extended to me moment by moment. Yes, we are to pursue knowledge of God so that we are not swayed by winds of false teaching but be firmly rooted in solid truths. However, our growth in knowledge should be accompanied by an equal growth in humility, grace, and love as we come to resemble Christ more and more in our knowing of him.
My encouragement for the week echoes the lessons Peter himself learnt over the course of his lifetime. I love how this proud and foolish disciple grew into the kind of man who would literally begin and end his second epistle with an exhortation to all believers to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."
Have a happy Wednesday!
Edward
"This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." 1 Corinthians 8:1-3
"Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom...but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." - James 3:13-17
I've always known squirrels were evil, but wow...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSGBVzeBUbk&feature=fvw
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