Peter's Lesson on Overconfidence and God's Transforming Grace.

We continue our reflections on the side story in the Gospels about what God was doing in Peter's life during Christ's arrest. As Peter followed at a distance, drawing nearer to the high priest’s palace, what do you think was on his mind? It’s possible that he was thinking about his words to Jesus, claiming he would not fall away and that he was ready to go to prison and death.

³¹"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. ³²But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." ³³But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." ³⁴Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me" (Luke 22:31-34).

Simon Peter was not yet prepared for the responsibility God intended for him. He was too overconfident in himself. So, the question before us today is, how does God change our lives when we fall short of what the Lord is shaping us to be? Our passage in Luke about Peter will help us see how God works.

The Holy Spirit’s Transformative Work

When we feel confident that we have everything under control, we become vulnerable to attacks from our enemy, Satan. Paul addressed this spiritual dynamic when he said, "So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12). The Lord called Peter to be a leader and a role model to those around him, so God addressed his overconfidence by putting him through a trial. This experience would strengthen him once he was restored to dependence on Christ. After walking with Christ for more than forty-seven years, I have found that God is actively working in our lives (Philippians 2:13) to transform us and make us more like Christ. Paul, the apostle, spoke of this process, which begins slowly and grows over time as we learn to obey the Spirit of God. As this process unfolds, we reflect His glory, and our lives begin to have a transforming influence on those around us.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18; emphasis added).

The Greek word used in the passage above, metamorphoō, is translated into English as "transformed." It means "a change of place, condition, or form, to transform, transmute, and alter fundamentally." It refers to spiritual transformation, an invisible process in Christians. This change occurs during our lives in this age." Peter was still undergoing training in this situation just before the crucifixion. Henry Ward Beecher said this: "Happiness is not the end of life; character is." Once we become Christians, God works in our lives to develop godly character, which is reflected in our Christlike responses to life's trials and difficulties. The Lord was determined that Peter would be fruitful, not in his abilities, but entirely dependent on God. The same applies to all who follow Christ.

D.L. Moody once said, "Character is what a man is in the dark." What things is God using in your life to test, reveal, and refine your character? May you be refined into everything God is making you be. Keith Thomas

The video teaching on The Three Time Denial of Peter the Apostle is one of more than 100 YouTube videos. Here’s the link to it: https://youtu.be/J0HeOB6D6_w. The written study #61 in Luke is found at the following link: Peter, the Broken Disciple