No
one ever starts something with the intention of failing. Success is the
quintessential American dream and we all, in some way, strive for it. Yet if we
take a realistic look at our lives, failure, in its many forms, is part of it.
Some people are defined by it and never recover fully. Others deny it. And some
use it as a catalyst for growth.
The dictionary defines “failure”
as: proving unsuccessful, nonperformance of something due, deterioration or decay.
In
our relationship with Jesus, we start out strong. We have the best intentions
and have a desire to be faithful followers of Christ. Yet we will experience
moments of failure because of sin. Have you ever just flat out let God down? The
Bible tells us that sin separates us from God. There are times when our
sins/habits/lifestyle/choices will deter us from growing in our relationship
with Jesus. And we can feel like we are total failures as Christians. Thankfully
we can look to the Bible for wisdom on how to move forward when we fall short.
Di
Wilson says, “When the solution is simple, God is answering.” God is not
complicated! Recovering from failure because of sin in our relationship with
God is actually quite simple. What’s the solution? Let’s open our Bible’s and
see…
John 21:15-17
15 When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes,
Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” 16 A
second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to
him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love
me?” Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?”
And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.”
Peter was a bold, brash, straight-talking
fisherman. He was as honest as he was rugged. From my study of the life of
Peter, I have the picture of a man who said whatever came to his mind. I also
have a picture of a man who, when he committed himself to something, committed
all the way. There was no wishy-washy half-heartedness to Peter. He left his
life of fishing to go with Jesus and become a fisher of men. He was a sold-out
follower of Jesus … and he didn’t hesitate to tell anybody.
Yet we know that despite his enthusiasm and
claims … when the moment of truth came … Peter did just as Jesus warned he would
do.
Peter did just as Jesus warned he would. He
failed Jesus. He publicly denied him three times at that ultimate moment of
decision. And as we look at that, we must think, “What a failure! He denied
Jesus! How could he ever be restored? How could he ever be forgiven?” Yet he
was forgiven and he was restored. The Bible tells us so. And so, today, as we
look to God’s word for instruction on how we might survive the failure of our
own sin, we can find no more perfect example than that of Peter.
So, what must you know so that you can survive the failure of sin?
So, what must you know so that you can survive the failure of sin?
1. Nobody
is perfect … everyone fails.
Scripture: As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” (John 18:25-26)
None of us are immune to sin. None of us are immune to letting Jesus down … not even the people who were closes to Him on this earth. Peter walked and talked and laughed and ate with Jesus for three years. He was in the inner circle of the disciples. You might even say that he was one of Jesus’ best friends. Yet he let Jesus down. Three times he denied even knowing Jesus ... all within view of Jesus Himself.
So, should we be surprised by the failure of sin that enters our lives? No. Is God surprised when we fail in our sin and let Him down? No! Does He stop loving us? No!
God knows our tendency to sin all too well. He created us. He was there at the moment when man rebelled and took that step from holiness into sin. He recorded in His word in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All of us…every single one of us have sinned.
Despite what we may think of ourselves or what we may think of the believers who surround us, we are all just human. We are not perfect. We will fail. We will sin. So, perhaps the first important step is to stop being beating ourselves up. There is nothing to be gained in that. There is no forgiveness or restoration in hating and punishing ourselves for the sin we commit that is absolutely no surprise to Jesus. Indeed, if it is truly forgiveness and restoration that we seek, then we need to go directly to the giver of life and forgiveness … our Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture: As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.” (John 18:25-26)
None of us are immune to sin. None of us are immune to letting Jesus down … not even the people who were closes to Him on this earth. Peter walked and talked and laughed and ate with Jesus for three years. He was in the inner circle of the disciples. You might even say that he was one of Jesus’ best friends. Yet he let Jesus down. Three times he denied even knowing Jesus ... all within view of Jesus Himself.
So, should we be surprised by the failure of sin that enters our lives? No. Is God surprised when we fail in our sin and let Him down? No! Does He stop loving us? No!
God knows our tendency to sin all too well. He created us. He was there at the moment when man rebelled and took that step from holiness into sin. He recorded in His word in Romans 3:23 that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All of us…every single one of us have sinned.
Despite what we may think of ourselves or what we may think of the believers who surround us, we are all just human. We are not perfect. We will fail. We will sin. So, perhaps the first important step is to stop being beating ourselves up. There is nothing to be gained in that. There is no forgiveness or restoration in hating and punishing ourselves for the sin we commit that is absolutely no surprise to Jesus. Indeed, if it is truly forgiveness and restoration that we seek, then we need to go directly to the giver of life and forgiveness … our Lord Jesus Christ.
2. No
matter what you do, Jesus is still your friend.
Scripture: Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” (John 21:10) “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12a)
Peter had denied Jesus when it counted. He had publicly turned his back on Christ. Yet the risen Jesus enjoyed watching Peter catch a net full of fish. He cooked breakfast for him. He invited him to sit down and eat. He enjoyed time and fellowship with Peter.
The same goes for you. No matter how you have failed, no matter what sin you have allowed into your life, the Savior who died for you still loves you. He is still your friend. And He still wants you to sit down with Him, talk with Him, and be with Him. Because, friends, it is only through those moments of sharing and communication that the failure can be addressed and resolved. So, please understand, no matter how you might fail, Jesus is still your friend. He still loves you. He still wants to be near to you.
Scripture: Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” (John 21:10) “Come and have breakfast.” (John 21:12a)
Peter had denied Jesus when it counted. He had publicly turned his back on Christ. Yet the risen Jesus enjoyed watching Peter catch a net full of fish. He cooked breakfast for him. He invited him to sit down and eat. He enjoyed time and fellowship with Peter.
The same goes for you. No matter how you have failed, no matter what sin you have allowed into your life, the Savior who died for you still loves you. He is still your friend. And He still wants you to sit down with Him, talk with Him, and be with Him. Because, friends, it is only through those moments of sharing and communication that the failure can be addressed and resolved. So, please understand, no matter how you might fail, Jesus is still your friend. He still loves you. He still wants to be near to you.
3. You
must understand that your sin has consequences.
Scripture: When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these? (John 21:15a)
Often those circumstances go far beyond your self. Your sin does affect those who are close to you … your family, your friends, and even your church. But, more important than anything else, your sin failure affects your relationship with Christ.
Just look at Peter and Jesus. Yes, Jesus still loved Peter. He was still His friend. But that relationship was damaged. It was strained. And the damage to that relationship had to be dealt with. Jesus confronted Peter. He said, “So, Peter … I remember all of that stuff you said … how you would always stick by me … how you would never fall away … how you would die for me. But look at what you did. Do you still think you love me more than all of these other guys?”
Peter had to be confronted. He had to understand the consequences of what he had done. He had to realize that he just couldn’t go back to fishing … he just couldn’t go back to the way things had been before. His choices, and his sin, had forced a change upon his relationship with Jesus, and that change had to be dealt with. He had to understand that the consequences of his actions went far beyond himself.
Friends, this is a lesson that we must never forget. Our sin has implications with our families, our friends, and our church. We must acknowledge those implications and deal with them. We have to understand that our own choices and actions do not just affect us … they affect everyone around us, especially those we care about the most.
ou know, our first inclination when faced with
the failure of sin in our lives is to try and hide it. Somehow we think that if
we just put it out of sight and out of mind, and if enough time passes, that it
won’t matter anymore. But, friends, I hope that you know that approach won’t
work. Sin that is hidden is sin that festers and grows and infects.
No, in order to survive the failure of your sin …
4. You must confront your sin, admit your sin and confess your sin.
Scripture: It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself … (18:18)
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it … When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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. (21:9, 15-17)
This is an incredible moment! I have pointed out these verses to you because I want you to understand how Jesus has set up the circumstance.
Do you see the reference to the fire in chapter 18, at the moment of the denial, and the reference to the charcoal fire here in chapter 21? The Greek word for charcoal fire, anthrakian, is found only in theses two places in the entire New Testament! That is not a coincidence. On the night of the denial, Peter warmed himself in the darkness by a charcoal fire. Now he finds himself warmed by a fire at sunrise with Jesus.
Now, how many times did Peter deny Jesus? Three. And how many times, sitting there by that fire, did Jesus ask Peter about his love for him? Three! Do you see how Jesus set up this important moment for Peter?
Yes, Jesus still loved Peter. And, yes, several days had passed since that horrible night when Peter denied Him. But that failure, that denial, that sin was real. It had to be confronted. It had to be brought out in the open. It had to be addressed.
Friends, God’s Word promises us in 1 John 1:9 that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” But we must admit … we must confess. No amount of hiding, no amount of pretending, no amount of “sweeping under the rug” can resolve our sin problem. The only solution is openness and confession with Jesus.
5. Jesus still has a purpose and mission for you.
Scripture: Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)
Yes, Peter had failed miserably. He had denied his Lord. But he saw that Jesus still loved him, he understood the consequences, and he confronted his sin. So, by giving Peter this three-part affirmation, he let Peter know that he was still valuable to the cause. He was useful. He did have a purpose. In fact, he would still be a great leader.
No, in order to survive the failure of your sin …
4. You must confront your sin, admit your sin and confess your sin.
Scripture: It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself … (18:18)
When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it … When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly 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 truly 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. (21:9, 15-17)
This is an incredible moment! I have pointed out these verses to you because I want you to understand how Jesus has set up the circumstance.
Do you see the reference to the fire in chapter 18, at the moment of the denial, and the reference to the charcoal fire here in chapter 21? The Greek word for charcoal fire, anthrakian, is found only in theses two places in the entire New Testament! That is not a coincidence. On the night of the denial, Peter warmed himself in the darkness by a charcoal fire. Now he finds himself warmed by a fire at sunrise with Jesus.
Now, how many times did Peter deny Jesus? Three. And how many times, sitting there by that fire, did Jesus ask Peter about his love for him? Three! Do you see how Jesus set up this important moment for Peter?
Yes, Jesus still loved Peter. And, yes, several days had passed since that horrible night when Peter denied Him. But that failure, that denial, that sin was real. It had to be confronted. It had to be brought out in the open. It had to be addressed.
Friends, God’s Word promises us in 1 John 1:9 that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” But we must admit … we must confess. No amount of hiding, no amount of pretending, no amount of “sweeping under the rug” can resolve our sin problem. The only solution is openness and confession with Jesus.
5. Jesus still has a purpose and mission for you.
Scripture: Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)
Yes, Peter had failed miserably. He had denied his Lord. But he saw that Jesus still loved him, he understood the consequences, and he confronted his sin. So, by giving Peter this three-part affirmation, he let Peter know that he was still valuable to the cause. He was useful. He did have a purpose. In fact, he would still be a great leader.
Closing Illustration
I want you to flash forward with me a few weeks in the Scriptures. I want you to see the rest of the story … what happened with Peter after the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is fifty days after Jesus ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit came upon the group of believers in a violent wind and with tongues of fire. They began to speak in other languages, languages that they did not know … but that od gave them so the people nearby could understand.
But look at what happens in Acts 2:13-14, and 40-41.
Friends, that same Peter who cowered in the darkness and denied Jesus on the night before he was crucified stood boldly in front of the entire population ofJerusalem
Isn’t that amazing?! Isn’t that powerful?! Friends, please understand … no matter how you have failed … no matter how you have allowed sin to infect your life … Jesus has the remedy for that sin. He wants to restore that relationship with you. He wants to forgive you. He wants to be your very best friend. But there are some steps that you have to take … confronting your sin, admitting it, and confessing it. Once you resolve that, God can and will restore you and use you in mighty ways to make a difference in His kingdom.
LIFE APPLICATION
I want to urge you … if sin has led you down the wrong path of your life … find you way back through the power, might, and love of Jesus Christ. He will show you how to be the ultimate survivor out of the failure of sin.
I want you to flash forward with me a few weeks in the Scriptures. I want you to see the rest of the story … what happened with Peter after the resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is fifty days after Jesus ascended into heaven. The Holy Spirit came upon the group of believers in a violent wind and with tongues of fire. They began to speak in other languages, languages that they did not know … but that od gave them so the people nearby could understand.
But look at what happens in Acts 2:13-14, and 40-41.
Friends, that same Peter who cowered in the darkness and denied Jesus on the night before he was crucified stood boldly in front of the entire population of
Isn’t that amazing?! Isn’t that powerful?! Friends, please understand … no matter how you have failed … no matter how you have allowed sin to infect your life … Jesus has the remedy for that sin. He wants to restore that relationship with you. He wants to forgive you. He wants to be your very best friend. But there are some steps that you have to take … confronting your sin, admitting it, and confessing it. Once you resolve that, God can and will restore you and use you in mighty ways to make a difference in His kingdom.
LIFE APPLICATION
I want to urge you … if sin has led you down the wrong path of your life … find you way back through the power, might, and love of Jesus Christ. He will show you how to be the ultimate survivor out of the failure of sin.
Aleida
Huissen, 78, of Rotterdam , Netherlands
—Prairie Overcomer [1]
[1]Tan, Paul
Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations,
Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers.
Garland TX
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