The Apostle Peter was a witness of the sufferings of Christ. Can you imagine how humbling it would have been to have witnessed the crucifixion? As one of the disciples, Peter walked with Jesus while he was on earth and listened to His teachings. Peter, like all of the disciples, was demoralized by Jesus’ death. It seemed to Peter that the only thing to do was to go back to his old life and pick up his old job as a fisherman. Thank God that the crucifixion was not the end of the story. When Jesus was raised from the dead he appeared to the disciples and told them to wait in Jerusalem until they received power from on high. On the day of Pentecost they were gathered in an upper room and were filled with the Holy Spirit. They would never be the same because of their encounter with the risen savior. The same is true today of those who have been filled with the Spirit. Have you met the risen savior? Have you had an encounter with Jesus that completely changed your life? Peter was a changed man who committed his life completely to God.
Peter learned many things from Jesus. I believe that one of the important lessons that he learned was that this life isn’t about the here and now but about laying up treasure in heaven. God will exalt us in due time if we are His faithful servants. We may never be praised by men while we live on this earth but we can hear Jesus say “well done good and faithful servant”, when we get to heaven. Living our lives for the rewards that this life brings will leave us empty and disappointed. Romans 8:13-14 tells us”13For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” I want to be led through this life by God. How about you? In order to be led by God we must be willing to submit to God’s authority in our life. So often we don’t want to give up control of the smallest thing, but God can’t lead us if we won’t submit to Him. Giving up some control can save our life. In an emergency room we willingly give up control to the doctors because we know that they can help us. In the military soldiers willingly give up control to their leaders so that they can be successful and come through the battles they will face victoriously. If we don’t submit to God we will be dominated by our fleshly desires. God wants the best for each one of us. If we will submit to His will for our life He will deliver us from all evil. We read in 1 Peter that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Jesus spoke about “rendering to Caesar” and “rendering to God”. This simply means we need to submit to the laws of the land as good citizens while at the same time giving to God what belongs to God. I want to submit to God. I want to pay attention to the needs of the spiritual man instead being constantly concerned with the natural man’s needs. I want to allow God to lead me into a full walk with Him and get myself out of the way so that God can be all in all. Will you let God work in your life?
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