Redeemed from Regret and Condemnation

 

“I do not know Him!”

Peter’s words of denial echoed across the High Priest’s courtyard into Jesus’ ears. The one who boldly proclaimed only hours before that he would go to prison or die with Jesus now shriveled with panic before a servant girl.

The compassion in the Savior’s eyes when He turned and looked at Peter shattered this disciple’s wall of defensive fear. Remorse and embarrassment moved him to run away and weep bitter tears.

Despite his earlier statement of loyalty, Peter’s faith didn’t stand up to the test of persecution. He and the rest of the disciples, except John, hid while Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross.

Peter’s soul probably didn’t need any help from Satan to feel incriminated. While Jesus’ body laid in a cold, dark tomb, this fearful man had three days to wallow in regret. Even after the resurrection Peter must have wondered what Jesus thought of him.

Redeemed from Regret

Not until the walk on the beach before Jesus ascended to heaven did this follower of Christ come to know he was forgiven by his Lord.

After the Holy Spirit descended upon believers on the Day of Pentecost, boldness entered them. Peter grew into the leader of the new church. He received the revelation of living in Christ’s identity, and allowed God to redeem his soul from the grief of past failures. Now rather than denying Jesus, Peter stood strong under the tyranny of the same Roman government that crucified the Son of God.

At times we may feel the same way Peter felt. We probably have instances in our lives where we have denied the Lord. Maybe we didn’t witness to someone like we should have. Or we stayed silent when we could have defended the gospel. There are other mistakes and trespasses we could have committed that cause us to look back with remorse.

These emotional enemies drop hammers of anguish on our souls. We do need to repent, but we don’t need to remain in the dark hole of sorrow. If we do, we only dig the chasm deeper with each mental shovel full of self-blame.

The remedy for us is the same as the one for Peter. Allow the conquest Jesus won to silence the voice of our accuser.

No Condemnation

Tradition tells us Peter died by being crucified upside down because he didn’t feel worthy to die in the same manner as his Savior. What a difference liberation from his former history did for the man who denied he even knew Jesus’ name.

Liberation from our history can make the same difference for us too. God doesn’t condemn us and He doesn’t want us to condemn ourselves. Jesus paid for every sin we have ever made and will ever commit. The key is to receive this gift and look forward through God’s lens of triumph instead of the rear-view mirror of yesterday.

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 AKJV)

 If you feel guilty over failures, don’t run from Jesus. Rush into His arms and receive the beautiful redemption He died to give you. (click to tweet)

On this Resurrection Day, think about the victory Jesus won for all of us. Guilt, condemnation, and shame have been washed away by the blood of God’s Son. We can be as effective as Peter was after Pentecost when we realize the power of living in Christ’s identity.

Celebrate Resurrection Day by knowing who you are in Christ.

For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV)

What are your thoughts? Join the conversation.

 

Image by bess.hamiti@gmail.com from Pixabay