Disgrace or Grace?

LORD, if You considered sins,

Lord, who could stand?

But with You there is forgiveness,

so that You may be revered.

Psalm 130:3-4 (HCSB)

A very disheartened and discouraged Peter slips away from his accusers after seeing Jesus. He knows that he disappointed his Master, which was especially humiliating after boasting in front of everyone that he would never do such a thing. How would anyone ever be able to trust him again, particularly Jesus? Had he ruined all possibility of working with the others to spread the Good News? Should he just go back to fishing? I know the feeling.

God says He hates divorce; I have been there and understand the feelings of regret, sorrow, and resignation that accompany failure. I know I felt that maybe God had nothing more for me to do because of my situation, particularly any ministry for Him. I carried my disgrace like a big D on my forehead. I wanted and accepted His forgiveness but I didn't understand His grace.

But, Jesus is all about grace. After His resurrection, the angel tells the women who had gone early to the open tomb, "Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died." (Mark 16:7.) Including Peter. He was not forgotten. He was not put on the shelf. He was not an outcast. In fact, he was given special notice to join the other disciples in Galilee. Jesus had work for him to do but Peter realized that he HAD to depend Him if he was going to be of any use. He couldn't do it on his own.

God not only forgives, He forgets. I struggle with both on occasion, but I'm learning that His grace is enough. I also discovered that He can use all of our experiences if we are willing to trust Him with the good and bad in our lives. Nothing is wasted. Disgrace is reversed through grace. May His glory shine.

Sarah and Peter

Peter replied, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about!" Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:60-62 (NIV)

This has been the week of Sarah Palin. Her book, Going Rogue, hit the bookstores and the media has gone crazy. Whether you love her or hate her, you have to admire the grit and determination she shows under this intense scrutiny. She has been fearless in her opinions, humble when wrong, a mother cub in defense of her children, and charming to the end. Sarah and Peter have a lot in common.

While reading through the New Testament this fall, I noticed that Peter is present at all the important moments with Jesus, either the go-to-guy or the one taking the fall. He, too, was fearless, rash, passionate, and charming; he never did things half way. Who went over the side of the boat and walked on water? Who wanted to take all his clothes off and be washed rather than just his feet? Who predicted that he would never deny the Lord? Never!

Yet, as we take a peek into the courtyard of the high priest where the soldiers took the captured Jesus, we find Peter standing around the fire with the other guys. Somehow, he had managed to slip in unnoticed to see what was going on. But this time, he blew it. Afraid and unwilling to stand up for his Master, he denied being a follower and even knowing Jesus. Then the cock crowed and he looked across the courtyard into the eyes of Jesus.

During my childhood and youth, my family attended a huge church in Los Angeles in the days before anyone ever heard of a mega-church. Even though my dad may have been sitting across the auditorium and down a floor, I could see "the look" if he caught me whispering to my friend during the service. He didn't have to say a word. Instantly, I knew that I was in for it and better be quiet. I imagine Peter felt the same way. Caught! And, by the One he loved with all of his heart. No wonder he left broken hearted.

Been there? This story doesn't end in disgrace but in forgiveness. Check back for part two.

We are Free

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. Galatians 5:13 (The Message)

During our vacation last week, we spent a lot of time glued to the TV, either watching the horrors of a terrorist's actions on an Army base or hours of debate on an ambiguous health care bill. It appears that our sense of safety and security in this land of the free and home of the brave is shaky. Yet, as I proudly raised my flag on Veteran's Day, I reflected on the willingness of men and women to sacrifice their lives for my freedom. What a privilege, but also what a responsibility. I remember telling my children, as they were growing up, that if they proved themselves to be responsible, then certain privileges would follow. However, if they chose to break the rules, it would be a long time before I could trust them again with those same freedoms. Curfew is a good example. The same holds true in our Christian walk. God made us to be free and gave us power over all that we could see. However, Adam and Eve chose to break the rules and ruin the perfect environment that God made for them. The consequences follow us to this day. Paul, in Galatians, can't figure out why these new Christians are going back to their old sinful ways. He reminds the new Church again and again that the rules of the law have been met in Jesus. It is faith that has made us whole. We are free. The same Heavenly Father who created us will continue to hold us when our world looks unstable. I encourage you to take Paul's admonition and don't fall back on old habits that bind. It is only in freedom that we are able to serve.