Christian Life

Lord’s Supper: What Does It Mean To Eat Unworthily?

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

There is an aspect of the Lord’s Supper that I think needs some clarification. The part I am referring to is the idea of partaking of the Lord’s Supper “unworthily.” What exactly did Paul have in mind when he said, “whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord?” (1 Cor. 11:27). I have had people come to me with deep concern about whether they should partake of the Lord’s Supper on certain occasions, fearing that they would be partaking “unworthily,” because they had a struggle with some sin in their life. This is a legitimate concern. Who wants to engage in a holy ceremony in an unholy way, be “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord,” and “drink damnation upon himself!?” I think I can see at least a part of the reason why the average church goer feels this way…

Typically, the pastor stands before his congregation (I’m coming at this from a Baptist background, where the Lord’s Supper occurs once a month or so and fills up the good part of a whole service) and rightly encourages his parishioners to “examine” themselves to make sure their life is order before God and that they are “worthy” to partake. The pastor soberly recommends this, in obedience to the Scriptures, indicating that there may be or probably is at least someone in the room who will fail to do partake in a worthy manner. At the very least it indicates that everyone present may be tempted to eat unworthily, otherwise there’s no need for the admonition. The room is most likely filled with average people: not violent gang bangers or hardened criminals. There isn’t usually a catalog of what kinds of sins or behaviors would serve as a checklist as to whether someone is “worthy” or not. 

Then you put on top of this the consideration: “Well, actually, who is even worthy to eat with Jesus anyways!?” I know me, and I know that I am not worthy to sit at the table of Jesus. If anything I’d be the slave who washes the feet of the people who come to dine with Jesus. I’m reminded of Abigail when David sent to marry her, she “bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord.” If she felt this way about David, how much more she we feel unworthy to eat at his table like we’re an equal with him! 

So, put all of that together, and it’s understandable that you have people in the church who struggle with some kind of sin – short temper, lust, gossip, laziness, etc. – just like everyone in the church does, who fears that they might be bringing damnation upon themselves for eating the cracker and drinking the juice. 

Now, I’d like to offer what I think is the right perspective. 

First, the fact that someone is being sensitive to the Spirit and concerned that they might be displeasing the Lord is a MAJOR indication that they ARE worthy to dine with Jesus. What does the Lord require of us? “He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). “A broken and a contrite God will not despise” (Psalm 51). If you are coming to the table with humility and a repentant heart – regardless of what your besetting sin is – then you are coming in a worthy manner. The truly unworthy person who is not going to stress themselves out over whether they are following the Scriptures to a “t” or not. They will brashly take what they can get from God and the church. 

Secondly, on what basis are we relying to be worthy? Are we considering whether we have been “good enough” or not throughout the week? Do you feel like you’ll only be worthy if you overcome that pestering, besetting sin? Remember the Gospel!!! Our only worthiness to have any accessibility to God only comes through Christ – Christ alone! Not Christ and my goodness. We are welcomed into God’s favorable presence because of Christ. We are received as God’s children because we are born again by the Spirit of God. We are washed of our sins because of Christ. The only thing that makes us worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper is Christ! In every way our access to Christ is conditional only by repentance and faith, but as long as we have that posture then we are worthy!!!

Thirdly, the context reveals to us specifically the “unworthy” behavior Paul had in mind. Verses 18 & 19 Paul chides the Corinthians for tolerating “divisions” and “heresies,” which both refer not to doctrinal impurity, but behavioral deficiency. One of the chief purposes of the Lord’s Supper is to highlight the unity that we have in Christ! We are “one body and one bread.” The broken body of Christ is the spiritual gluten (the Corinthians must have been a gluten free assembly – sorry, I had to) that holds very different people together in love. BUT, instead, the Corinthians decided to use this observance as a wonderful opportunity to display their selfishness and pride.

One faction in the church would get the scoop on when and where the “love feast” would occur. They would show up to the party early, eat all the food and get drunk on the wine before everyone else showed up. This is even more egregious when you think that their society didn’t have a welfare system like we do, there was a much more sharp contrast between the poor and higher social classes. This communal meal was probably a highlight for many people – a true feast – and for others who were poor it may actually have been the only meal that they would have eaten that day. Paul then enters into the narrative of when the Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper: the sweet, serene setting where the Lord washed his disciples feet and then sat surrounded by his disciples. This was the night before his passion. He would be “broken” for them and shed his blood for them. Every time in the future they would gather to remember their Lord they would remember that night. They would recall with vivid memory the day following as well – his love, his blood, his cries, his agony, for them, for them all. 

Now, imagine people trying to use this memorial as an opportunity for the flesh. I can see any one of the apostles busting into that assembly with fire in their eyes, “Do you have any idea what you are doing!!! I was there when he washed my feet! When he suffered on that cross! He died for us! And you have the nerve to shame your brethren, steal all the food, get drunk on the wine, and arrogantly divide into factions amongst one another!!! And instead of being remorseful you glory in your sins and double down in your pride! The Lord is going to bring judgment on you for taking his name in vain!” This is what I see going on here in Corinth, and how I imagine Paul speaking to them. 

So, what does it mean to eat and drink “unworthily?” I think we have a strong case to argue that an unworthy participant is someone who is proud in their sins, who has no humility or repentance over their sins; someone who doesn’t have a desire for unity and has no problem being at odds with others in the church and who will use others in the church for their own gain. If that’s you, then yes, do not assume that Jesus wants to eat a meal with you, because he doesn’t. He wants you to put down your gift at the altar and go be reconciled with your brother first. God will not be mocked – mess with his church and you’ll pay. 

However, if you are a Christian struggling with your sin, and even being often overcome with it to one degree or another, but you hate your sin and confess it to God, let these promises wash over you, my dear brother or sister, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin…If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:7,9). As soon as you confess your sins you are instantaneously and fully forgiven by your loving, heavenly Father. He says, “Don’t be afraid. I’ve already forgiven you. Come and dine.” The blood of Jesus is your worthiness to come to his table. 
Now, all of that being said, when you do approach the Table, you should examine yourself. It is a wonderful moment – probably the best moment – for God’s people to do some introspection, and allow the Holy Spirit to search your heart. Every Christian should leave the Lord’s Supper with joy in their hearts because they were all encouraged specifically to “do business” with their God. There is a need to reason with Christians to realize how devastating sin is and there are times to highlight the urgency of repenting of it. But I have sensed the need to give my brothers and sisters relief on this particular issue. If you’re a church leader, maybe consider covering this with your congregation at some point. God bless you in your walk with God and may your next experience at the Lord’s Supper be extra special!!!

Friendship With God

/ Lee A. Robinson / 1 Comment

One of my go-to music albums over the past couple years is the soundtrack for the “David” show produced by Sight & Sound Theaters. They do an outstanding job at producing high quality music – especially for a company that’s not even specializing in producing music albums. One of my favorite songs on that album is “Creation Sings.” The song pictures creation “singing” praises to God by highlighting certain aspects of the beauty and majesty of that particular creation. What is the glory of the sea? – that it is deep and filled with life. What is the glory of the heavens? – it’s expanse. What is the glory of the mountains? – that they are built up to the sky. God himself takes light for his garment. At the climax of the song, the writer says, “So I will join the song as creation sings to you.” Well, what is the glory of man in the mind of this singer? – “…You call me your friend.” Creation is beautiful, glorious, majestic, powerful, awesome, etc. and as much as that is awesome, what is more awesome is that the God who made all of this calls us his friend. What a special thought!!!

Yes, God is our Creator, infusing each of us with uniqueness, purpose and meaning. God is our Father, guaranteeing us love, acceptance, provision, protection, guidance, etc. What is entailed in the fact that he is our friend?     

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (John 15:13-15).

What is different between the friend/friend relationship and the parent/child relationship? I think it’s mainly on the matter of “peerhood.” There isn’t a formal hierarchy amongst peers. People meet each other and decide to go deeper in a relationship because of a mutual desire. God didn’t have to make me. He didn’t get stuck with me. He didn’t have to save me. He doesn’t have to continue to call me and want to “hang out” with me. BUT HE DOES!!! He does willingly and cheerfully – and always will! Of course friends get upset and frustrated with one another, as I’m sure the Lord is with me often, but it doesn’t discourage him from coming back again. 

Friends tell each other secrets. They share their hearts with each other in a way that they might not even share with loving parents. Friends feel “safe” in that you’re not really accountable to them, and they are probably in a similar stage of life that you are. As if God couldn’t do something even more glorious, he reveals to us again how humble he is! He so wants to identify with us. Whatever you think of who God is, your thinking is too small and not impressed enough. The Creator and Sustainer of the Universe; the Lord of Heaven and Hell; the Ancient Father of Humanity; the King of all Authorities; the Eternal Sage – He wants to spend time with me, to make my issues his own. He grapples with my minuscule problems and cares like a fellow traveler (not because he doesn’t know the answers, or have the ability to just think the solution and it will happen, but because he knows that I need a friend to do it with me).   

Do you want God to be your friend? In the Scriptures above, Jesus said that we are his friends “if we do what he commands us to do.” His primary commandment is that we would repent of our sins and embrace him as our Savior and Lord. This is equivalent to us removing ourselves as the controller of our lives and replacing Christ as the Controller. In the same way that it is fitting for a novice to yield to the advice of a master, so it is fitting that we would yield control of our lives to the Master of all Life. Not only is it fitting, but it is obligatory. Refuse to surrender to Christ and you will not be his friend, but his enemy – a truly eternally cursed position to be in. Psalms 25:14, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.” We must fear God, which means that we must acknowledge and respect his true nature, power and authority. When we do, not only will he forgive us and call us on to his team, but he will “reveal to us his secrets” like a friend would. What a glorious truth!   

Jeremiah, Don’t Quit

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

For Audio . . .

“O LORD, thou hast deceived me (you have induced or persuaded me – to believe in you and to represent you), and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed (I am gripped by you and cannot shake away from your Word): I am a laughingstock daily, every one mocketh me. For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. Then I said, I will not make mention of him (of God), nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding it in, indeed I could not.” – Jeremiah 20:7-9

Jeremiah is often called “the weeping prophet,” and for good reason. He just happened to be the one charged with the unpleasant task of signaling the final warnings to Israel of impending national destruction. He was there in Jerusalem when it happened and later penned a funeral dirge for the city (the book of Lamentations). All that to say that he was given a very burdensome task. He was a famine-time prophet, not one of an abundant harvest. Early on in Jeremiah’s ministry the LORD told him that no one was going to accept his message (7:27). Imagine being called by God to a ministry and then after you’re settled into it you get assurance – from God – that no one is going to care at all what you have to say. Instead of giving heed to his message and honoring Jeremiah, the people despised him, ridiculed and mocked him on a daily basis and several times tried to kill him. 

Perhaps you may feel like a Jeremiah? You’ve been doing God’s will – maybe not perfectly, but humbly and to the best of your ability – but there seems to be little to no fruit from your labors; it seems like no one is even taking notice of what you’re doing for the Lord; it seems like no one cares (except the people who are unhappy with you – they make it known that they don’t appreciate you). Maybe there are even people coming after you physically or in some other way trying to destroy your life and ministry? It seems like the more you try to do what’s right, the more you are despised for it. You feel like Paul who concluded, “and I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15). 

Jeremiah was a champion as far as courage goes. He stood in the midst of an arrogant, hardened mob of people and daily mourned out God’s message of condemnation. He was a weeping, hell-fire & brimstone preacher. He had a backbone of steel. However, he was only a man, a man with a tender heart, and his resolve was challenged one day… 

On this occasion Jeremiah gathered some Israelite leaders together. During the meeting he smashed a clay pot on the ground and warned them that the LORD was going to smash the nation of Israel and break them so that they could not be repaired. Afterwards, Jeremiah went up to the temple (the busy public square) and began to proclaim that Yahweh was going to bring evil on the city because of their wickedness. While Jeremiah was preaching, Pashur the priest’s son walked up and delivered to Jeremiah some kind of blow (maybe a punch to the face or gut or something), then locked him in the stocks beside the temple, publicly humiliating him. The next day Pashur released Jeremiah from the stocks, but while he was Jeremiah began again to preach, and told Pashur that all of his friends were going to die by the sword, that he himself would be taken captive to Babylon, and would die and be buried there because he was a false prophet! Wow. So much courage. 

However! The very next lines in the text after this story are the verses at the heading of this chapter. Jeremiah is exhausted. He begins to complain about how difficult his ministry was and then he concludes, “Then I said, I will not make mention of him (of God), nor speak any more in his name” (Jeremiah 20:9). He came to a breaking point (understandably so!) and was entering a major temptation to give up. 

Maybe you are right here, right now. In the past, you had waves of difficulty, but you plunged into them and pretty quickly resurfaced, but this time it feels like you have sunk to the bottom with iron weights tied around you. The circumstances are different. It’s too much. Well, let this passage from Jeremiah remind you that nothing is impossible with God . . . 

Thankfully, on this occasion, Jeremiah did not give in to giving up. His flesh said, “I’m done,” and then his spirit immediately responded, “But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with holding it in, indeed I could not.” What happened?! There was another power working inside of Jeremiah other than his own feeble resolve – the power of God. When Jeremiah became weak, God became strong. When Jeremiah gave up, the LORD raised him up. Jeremiah didn’t quit because he really couldn’t quit. Jeremiah’s calling stretched all the way back into the eons of eternity, it started in the heart of God, and God wasn’t done with him yet. 

Consider Jeremiah’s calling from chapter 1, when he was a young man, “Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations” (Jeremiah 1:4-5). God planted his Word in Jeremiah’s heart from the womb, it was more native to him than his mother’s milk. Being a prophet wasn’t Jeremiah’s idea, it was his destiny. His ministry didn’t arise from his own ambition, therefore it is not going to fall by his own inhibition. His message was God’s, his tears were God’s, his mission was God’s, and God was not done speaking to Israel yet, so therefore Jeremiah was not done speaking yet. 

Remember who you are – Jeremiah – was why you started doing this. If it did arise out of your own ambition, then may you quit right away! But if your calling is real, then it started in the heart of God before eternity, just like Jeremiah’s did. Remember these Scriptures… The apostle Paul knew from whence his calling was. He said the Lord, “…saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works (or, our ambition), but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9).” “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:” (Galatians 1:15-15). This eternal calling was motivation for Paul to keep going. He was confident about this for other believers as well, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Philippians 1:6). 

God didn’t make a mistake when he called you. He knew exactly what he was doing. All of the events that led up to you calling on Christ for salvation. All of the events that led up to you desiring a certain kind of ministry. All the things in your heart to do for God. None of those things were an accident or happenstance. God made you who you are – with your personality, gifts, temperament, etc. You are where you are at this time in history to do his perfect will. Don’t give up because the road is rough, or because you have stumbled or because you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel. Focus on him who called you from the beginning. Remember those circumstances when he first called you – whether it was a scripture, or a song, or a sermon, or a deep time of prayer. God hasn’t changed, you have, but I am confident that if you choose to bring your heart and mind back to the Word you heard at the burning bush that it will burn in your heart like a fire and that you will feel no other option than to pursue it. 

His Word Was In My Heart 

Jeremiah said, “I’m done. I’m not going to even make mention of God anymore.” But again, the very next phrase is, “But his word was in mine heart.” He couldn’t get away from it. It was part of his nature. Earlier on in the book he said, “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts (Jeremiah 15:16).” God planted his Word in Jeremiah from the womb, but then in conscious experience Jeremiah had tasted the unique goodness Word of God and had swallowed it whole. It was part of the fabric of his being. Many other saints in the Scripture spoke of this experience of “eating” the word of God. 

When you became a Christian you didn’t just turn over a new leaf or change your mind about something. You were changed at the core of your being. Jesus said that we must eat his flesh and drink his blood. You did this and became partakers of him. You became one with him and he with you. The Spirit of God, his divine nature, came into union with your spirit, thus making you a new creation. No matter where you go from here God is going with you. Not near you, but in you, in all your thoughts and feelings and outlook. You cannot ignore God. He’s so patient and good. He has all the time in the world to bear with you. He is faithful, he promised that he would never leave you nor forsake you. 

You have taken in the Word of God. You’ve studied it, memorized it, lived according to it, rejoiced in it. Remember the unique joy of the Word in your life. 

Something divine, supernatural happens when the believer turns their eyes to heaven in prayer, or becomes calm before the Scriptures. There is a real connection with the eternal One, the Word, and you cannot but help to speak about it. Paul said, “I believed, and therefore have I spoken (2 Corinthians 4:13).” Just like that exceptional restaurant you ate at, or that great show you went to, you want to tell other people about it. Almost every year our family visits Sight and Sound Theaters in Lancaster, PA. In the realm of live theater, especially for Christian based shows, their performances are extraordinarily good, second to none. I recommend to people often to bring their families there because I know the experience is so worth it – even to people who seem like the last people who would be interested in something like a live musical. I believe, therefore I speak about it. You tasted that the LORD was gracious and you spoke about it. Perhaps you spoke about it for a very long time. Return to your first love. You may be in the fog right now. Its ok. Jeremiah was there too. Press through though. Continue to be faithful and then glorify him again. “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works (Psalms 73:25-28).”

True Success 

One more note on Jeremiah about what true success in life is. God was upfront with Jeremiah, “No one is going to believe you. You are going to warn about coming judgment and call the nation to repent, but they are not going to. The judgment will come” (my summary). So, was Jeremiah a failure? The people weren’t saved. They didn’t give heed to his warnings. Obviously God’s heart is for people to repent and avoid judgment. The Lord is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).” He takes no delight in the death of the wicked. However, God also delights in righteousness, judgment and justice. Israel had become corrupt and now it was God’s pleasure to defend his truth and those who were being oppressed. All of this is higher than Jeremiah. What was his part in God’s dealings with this nation, and other nations? His part was simply to be faithful – to be God’s heart and mouth to the people, and Jeremiah did this faithfully. Although Jeremiah’s preaching wasn’t well received, it was nevertheless true. What he said was the faithful Word of God and the prophecies he spoke did come to pass. 

Take the time to think deeply about what you regard as true success. True success is not equivalent to lots of outward signs of people repenting, being converted and mobilized in the work of God. If those things truly happen then it certainly is a sign that God is at work, but God can be at work even through a man or a ministry that appears unsuccessful. For example, God told Moses in the desert to speak to the the rock so water would gush out to quench the thirst of Israel. Moses in his anger disobediently smote the rock, but water still came gushing out. That Rock was Christ and Christ fed his people out there, but God was furious with Moses. He came down hard on him and decided that he would not go in to the promised land. By appearance this was a wonderful success – a day of refreshing and revival – yet it was the worst day of failure for Moses. So we have to be extremely careful about judging on the outward appearance – whether it’s judging other people’s lives or our own lives.

There are very large, exciting churches that are a displeasure to God and there are very small, “unexciting” churches that are choice servants of God. Similarly, there are very large, exciting churches that are a pleasure to God and there are very small, “unexciting” churches that are a displeasure of God. How do we know the difference? We cannot know in an ultimate sense, but we can examine faithfulness to God’s Word or not. Is the Bible being taught in a simple, straightforward manner? Is righteousness being exalted and sin being exposed? Is there church discipline happening? Are people being encouraged to evangelize and be rich in good works? Are the leaders and members humbly walking in love and unity? If so, these are all good signs that God is pleased. The same is true as individuals. If you are striving to conform your life to the Word of God with a humble heart and to do what he calls you to do – he is pleased, whether or not you see the results you are hoping for. You have to get your eyes off of other people. Stop comparing yourself and your works to theirs. Everyone is different, has different gifts and a different calling. If you have been doing what is right with a humble heart then disregard the results. It’s fine to examine the results. Maybe there is a way for you to improve to be more effective in whatever you’re doing, but certainly don’t give up. It got really hard for Jeremiah. It may get hard for you. Let God search your heart. If you have done something wrong, repent of it and make it right. From there though, focus on doing what you know for sure the Lord has called you to do. Leave the results with him and give him time to renew your passion for him and his work. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self (1 Corinthians 4:2-3).” This is what you have to focus on – simply being faithful to your Lord. 

Jeremiah, don’t give up.

Don’t Quit (Peter)

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

For Audio . . . https://youtube.com/live/SLSiVK9SwjY

“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me? . . . Feed my sheep.” – John 21:17

Peter loved Jesus. He was a genuine follower. Jesus had transformed him from an average, worldly fisherman to a saint and pioneer of the new kingdom God was about to build. However, Peter still had his struggles. He was often stuffing his foot into his mouth. Once he brazenly rebuked Jesus – never a good idea. As bad as that was, it wasn’t the worst. The day he totally blew it was when he denied his Lord. Sweet Jesus: the one who found Peter lost in his sins, who brought him on board the Great Mission as leader of the disciples; the pure, humble teacher healer who had come to Israel, the gentle lamb who was hated, wrongfully arrested, being beaten, about to be crucified. At that very moment, when Peter (of all moments!) should have been there for his friend and Lord, warming his hands by the fire, he repeatedly denied him, with cursing! He had given in to embarrassment, fear and betrayal. He instantly knew it too. All it took was one look from the Lord and he knew he had sinned a great sin. He wept bitterly. Peter was crushed because he had crushed his friend in his greatest hour of need. He also let down his other friends who he was supposed to be leading. What was he good for now?  

How about you, Peter? Every Christian sins, but perhaps in your case it seems like you have sinned a particularly grievous sin in a uniquely corrupt way. Some sins seem tolerable – like perhaps gluttony, or gossip, or materialism – but other sins truly seem to reveal your depraved heart, like adultery, pornography, rage, violence, drunkenness/drug abuse, idolatry or theft: the kinda stuff that many unbelievers don’t even participate in. Maybe you have fallen into a great sin as a genuine follower of Christ. Or, maybe you have given in to “little” sins so repeatedly that they have caused big problems for yourself and those around you. Maybe you feel like God could never forgive you, or, if he would forgive you he certainly would not use you in any special way. Maybe your reputation has been tarnished? Perhaps, like Peter, you may even feel like giving up, out of respect for the Lord, not desiring to dishonor him anymore…

We do seem to get the indication that Peter was giving up. He went back to fishing (John 21:3), back to who he was and what he had done before he met the Lord. He probably thought, “The Lord gave me this wonderful gift and calling, and I let him down. I failed. I guess I’ll default back to who I used to be.” The temptation after failing is to give up: to revert back to who you used to be, and to do what you used to do before you knew Jesus. You begin to think more about secular pursuits than the ministry God has called you to; to make church attendance and involvement less of a priority; to replace personal worship and study of the Word with other hobbies; to replace sacrificial giving to the Gospel with other financial priorities, etc.

How did this turn out for Peter and the others? “They caught nothing” (John 21:3). Remember when Peter met Jesus? That was also a day where he “caught nothing,” meaning a day when not only were his nets empty, but his soul was also empty. His life was void of ultimate meaning and purpose. It’s no accident that as professional fishermen they caught nothing this new day as well. It was on purpose, for the Lord to show him that he wouldn’t find anything genuinely meaningful compared to Christ if he were to go back. 

Don’t go back. Don’t give up. Why? Because you really can’t go back. You are different. You’ve been born from above. You’re a new creation in Christ. You’re sheep not swine. It can’t be the same. You may give up on pursuing Christ and working in the ministry, but whatever idol you put in the place of Christ is not going to satisfy you. You have tasted the heavenly gift and the powers of the world to come. The Holy Spirit lives in you! You’ll never be blessed unless you pick yourself up and begin to pursue Christ afresh! 

He’s Not Done With You

Thankfully, Jesus was not done with Peter. In fact, the glory that Peter had experienced over the first 3 years with Jesus was nothing compared to the glory that Peter was yet to experience with his Lord for many years to come! 

Jesus came to Peter in the sweetest way. As they were fishing, catching nothing, Jesus appeared on the shore, beckoned to them to throw the net on the other side causing them to enclose a massive catch of fish. This is reminiscent of when Jesus first revealed his desire to call these disciples – perhaps symbolic of re-calling them again to discipleship. Jesus was already on the shore making a meal. As they approached him there was the sweet smell of baked bread and fish being fried over the fire. Jesus greeted them with an invitation to “come and dine” with him. This initial meeting with Jesus could have been much different, right? Jesus could have hunted Peter down and wrathfully rebuked him, or punished him in some way. Think about it… or, perhaps worse: Jesus could have just given up on Peter and never returned to him or communicated with him again and left him to wallow in his regrets. But no. There is no one like Jesus. Think about the worst thing you have ever done to someone. The next time you saw them face to face were they preparing you a feast, desiring to share a meal with you? If so, praise the Lord for that person, but most likely that did not happen. 

The reality is, that no matter what you have done – to the Lord or anyone else – Jesus is waiting for you to come to him. Not to come crawling over broken glass to be punished forever for what you have done. He wants to fellowship with you. He wants t oconfirm his love for you and his commitment to work his plan out in your life. He knows your broken heart, regret, and your shame for what you have done. Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is nigh to the broken hearted,” and Psalm 51: 17 says, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” It’s hard to accept how gentle and forgiving his heart is towards us. We beat ourselves up over our sins. Other people treat us very harshly over our sins, but Jesus doesn’t do this. He was beaten on our behalf; mocked, shamed, killed. He wants it in the past and he is looking to the future. 

After seeing Jesus present himself to Peter in this reconciling manner, we get to the heart of the whole situation. As the finish the meal Jesus asks Peter a question, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?” Wow. What a question! He could have said, “Simon, why should I forgive you,’ or ‘Why should I let you follow me?” But, no, he’s looking forward, not backward. Remember: Jesus knows everything. This question was not for Jesus, but for Peter. Deep down Peter knew that he loved the Lord, but up to this moment, in his won mind, I’m sure that his internal dialogue was all self condemnation. “How can you say you love the Lord when you sided with his murderers?” Jesus was pulling from deeper down in the well of Peter’s soul. He was leading Peter to recall his true self, which was genuine love for Jesus.

Just because you have sinned doesn’t mean that you don’t love Jesus. “A just man falleth seven times, but he rises up again” (Proverbs 24:17). Righteous men fall. Christians sin. Our love is not determined by whether or not we sin, but what we do with our sins. Unbelievers make excuses for their sins, the care less whether they have offended the Lord or not, they certainly don’t confess their sins and repent of them, and they don’t fear God’s chastening in their lives. But if you are a genuine believer, you do all of those things. You are guilty over your sins, you’ve probably already confessed them, your striving to overcome them, and it tears you up that you have offended your Lord and hurt other people. This means that you love Jesus!!!

Do you remember how you first came to Jesus, who you were when he called you? He didn’t call you because you were righteous. He called you because he had a plan for you. Thankfully, his plans have not changed: Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.” So, if you love him, feed his sheep – continue striving to be what he has called you to be and continue doing what he has called you to do. What a wonderful Savior we have – he wastes nothing and recycles every fault and weakness of his followers! You do not dishonor Jesus by serving him after you sin. He didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. You do honor him by exemplifying the Gospel: continually repenting of your sins and coming to Christ alone for forgiveness. 

  One last note on Peter: at the end of their conversation Jesus revealed to Peter that not only would he persevere in his faith, but that he would also in the end give his life for Jesus, which, according to tradition Peter requested to be crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior. In response, Peter asked what was going to happen with John. Jesus didn’t answer his question but rather said to him, “follow me.” This is interesting to me. Jesus was lazer focused on his relationship with Peter, having a most intimate conversation with him, and what is Peter doing? He’s wondering about John and what is going to happen with him. Don’t be so focused on other people – what they are doing or what they think about you, or how you appear to other people. Focus on your relationship with Christ, what he thinks about you, and what he has called you to do. The path for every Christian looks different. Embrace yours. 

“Father, I pray for whoever may be reading this, that they would have a deep abiding peace and relief that you have forgiven them of their sins and that you still desire to use them in special ways. Help them to see that your power and glory is easier seen through broken vessels than “whole” ones. Reinvigorate a lasting desire for the things of heaven than the things of the earth. Grant them wisdom, power, grace and faith to fully overcome and break free from their besetting sins, and to have full liberty in heart and mind as they serve you. Amen.”       

It doesn’t matter what you have done.

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

It doesn’t matter what you have done.

It’s all wiped clean in the blood of the Son.

He bore the wrath, the guilt, the shame 

So we could bear the grace, the crown… His name.

Man will always find a way to judge you

But GOD will always find a way to love you. 

Men will condemn you as a failure, a traitor, a liar. 

But He knows your true heart, thoughts, and desire.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, the wise man said. 

I guess he learned this truth before he laid to rest his head. 

Your sin does matter, so repent and continue no more! 

But focus on his mercy & grace, which is far greater for sure! 

You may have concluded God will never use you again

But Remember in the scripture the failures of great men:

An adulterer, a murderer and a liar king 

One of God’s choicest to God’s Name did sing.

An arrogant man, who publicly denied the Lord! 

Yet was told to “feed my sheep” and was fully restored.  

Be humbled and learn, but from your ashes arise

With confidence and joy lift up your eyes

See his smile, feel his touch, follow the voice from above.  

You’re saved, restored, you’re called and you’re loved. 

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GRACE REIGNS

/ Lee A. Robinson / Leave a comment

Romans 5:19-21

For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

From the time of the first man (Adam) sin and death has reigned among men. Sin and death are likened to a unified dominant king controlling men and their destinies. It’s almost as if we had no choice: we were made sinners by the disobedience of Adam. We were all born sinners into a kingdom of sin. Sin was natural and normal to us. There is such a power in the world, a universal law, that excuses and encourages sin. Sin reigned, and sin finishes its work by ultimately slaying the subjects of its kingdom. We are slaves, low born, disadvantaged, destined for this. 

But there came a new King into the world. One who evaded the natural way of conception through virgin birth. He was born righteous and pure into the world of sin. As the God-Man he triumphed over every temptation to sin. Ultimately he was lifted up, to receive in his body God’s judgment wrought by King Sin and Death, so as to set free those who were all their lives subject to his reign. He defeated Sin and Death and established a new kingdom.
In contrast to the former kingdom, the kingdom of Jesus is characterized by GRACE – favor, benevolence, help, beauty, gift-giving, kindness, compassion, etc. Through the new birth, our nature is changed – we are now naturally righteous and pure. We are also ushered into a new realm of living that is dominated and permeated with these qualities of grace. GRACE REIGNS in the life of a Christian. We are born as spiritual free men: privileged, high class, advantaged. We were made saints by the obedience of someone else – that’s very good news. Our lives are under the control, ownership and supervision of God’s Grace. Grace reigns. I am not the king of my life – Grace is, and because my King is so gracious I can find great comfort in knowing that he will defend me against every enemy in my life, including myself. The King of Sin and Death delighted in deceiving and destroying, but the King of Grace delights in teaching, encouraging, forgiving, restoring, redeeming and resurrecting. Grace is greater than all of my sin and will prevail. All hail King Grace!