The following is a devotion from my message series 10 Steps to Freedom. I hope these devotionals help you experience lasting freedom in Jesus!
STEP NINE: day 2
Fail forward and keep pressing on
At the end of Jesus’ life, Peter had failed miserably. In Jesus’ moment of need, after Peter publicly declared that he would never abandon him (John 13:37-38), Peter did exactly that, denying Jesus three times (John 18:15-27). Peter, like many of us when we fail, knew immediately the depths to which he had failed and was filled with regret (Matthew 26:75). Peter failed, like all of us fail. But that’s not the end of his story. After Jesus’ resurrection, he makes it a point to reinstate Peter.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17
Jesus wasn’t finished with Peter even though he blew it in a big way, and Jesus isn’t finished with you yet either, even though you stumble on the road to freedom. Hold onto that hope as you learn to fail forward into freedom!
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION
- Have you ever had an experience where someone forgave you after you failed? How did their forgiveness affect you and empower you?
- Who has failed you in your life? Have you forgiven them (step five) the way you’ve been forgiven?
You can read other devotional entries for 10 Steps to Freedom here.
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