GOD IS LOVE – THE LOOK OF THE MASTER

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1Jn 4:8). This is an amazing declaration: God is love. No matter how difficult this revelation appears to us, the fountain of all God’s activity is this kind of self-giving sacrificial Agape love. Even His rebukes come to us from love. Judgment is not something separate from love. If you convince me that a holy, loving God cannot judge a sinful person, then you will also convince me that He cannot love a sinful person. In God’s holy love there is a strong opposition toward anything that hurts the object of His love. God is a purifying fire, consuming and burning away the dross in order that He might preserve the gold. “Our God is a consuming fire” (Heb 12:29). Because of this very quality of fire, Love is not always easy to live with. Allow Love to change you! God’s Love is filled with Grace, including all kinds of people, without looking for merit on the part of the object loved. That is the Agape love of God!

A BROKEN AND CONTRITE HEART

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise” (Ps 51:17). In the Temple at Jerusalem, animal sacrifices were central to worship God. But here we see that God values the repentant heart much more that religious ceremonies. The words “broken and contrite” show deep sorrow for sin, repentance, humility before God and a true desire to reconcile with God. God knows when repentance is genuine or fake. In Christ, we receive grace and mercy to come to God, to repent and be saved. God is faithful. He will surely accept and forgive anyone who truly repents of his sins, for Christ’ sake. A “broken spirit” is a spirit that bows low in honest recognition to its sin. He totally depends on God for mercy and does not depend on self. It is an internal attitude that refuses to hide, excuse, justify or manage sin but brings it into God’s light. The will is surrendered to God’s will. What is the evidence a spirit is becoming broken? The believer is quick to repent rather than justifying his sin. He becomes softer toward other people’s failures. He loses the hardness of the heart caused by sin. He extends mercy to others. He does not have confidence in himself. He rejoices in knowing the Grace of God and not in his works. God never despises a heart that comes low before Him. How do you know that God has accepted your sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart, of a true repentance? God will give you the Peace that passes all understanding! Selah!

Why does God value a broken spirit? Because the spirit honours God’s holiness and His verdict on sin. Humility invites God’s Grace and intimate fellowship with Him. The stronghold of pride is removed. Therefore, the soul can freely worship God. The path of continual repentance is the path of continual revival. As we stay near the Cross, His Spirit shapes in us the very brokenness He delights to bless, making room for deeper intimacy, stronger obedience, and lasting joy. Because the Lord has already provided atonement in the Son, He delights to welcome anyone who approaches Him in humble faith. Jesus promised to receive anyone who comes to Him with a true repentant heart. “Whoever comes to Me I will never cast out” (Jn 6:37). The Devil whispers that our sins are too great and God will reject us. But this word gives us confidence: God does not despise repentant sinners; He embraces them! Selah! On the Cross, Jesus died of a broken heart. When the Roman solider punctured his heart with his spear, blood and water poured out (Jn 19:34). Only a broken heart pours out Blood and Water. The sin of the mankind broke the heart of Jesus. Because God the Father did not despise the sacrifice of His only begotten Son on the Cross, He does not despise a broken and a contrite heart. Selah!

GOD’S JUDGEMENT STARTS IN THE CHURCH

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator” (1Pet 4:17-19). This word speaks about the discipline and judgment of backsliders, not about condemnation for sin already forgiven in Christ. It’s God’s inspection, a purifying process that separates the genuine from the false and designed to mature true faith in the believers. There is a sense of urgency concerning the judgment of God. Jesus promised to come again. He will finally destroy the devil and all that is evil. Judgement starts in the church, in the house of God. God purifies His people first, so that they live according to His will. His judgement will “begin in My Sanctuary” (Ezekiel 9:6). This reflects the principle that those who have received greater revelation and responsibility are held to a higher standard (Luke 12:48). The judgment here means correction, pruning, so that the believers’ faith is strengthened and church becomes pure.

This is the revelation: believers are not exempt from God’s inspection and correction. The early church faced persecution and trials, which were seen as part of this judgment process. The trials served to test and to strengthen their faith. God’s people are often tested to prove their faithfulness, as seen in the stories of Job and Abraham. For the unbelievers, for those who reject Christ, the judgment is more severe. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (Jn 3:36). This is a reminder of the need for repentance and the urgency of evangelism. God’s fire purifies the believers and destroys the unbelievers. Nominal Christians cannot survive God’s fire.

Why does judgment start with us? Because God is holy, His people must be holy like him (Lev 11:44). Our witness is credible only when is refined; hypocrisy dishonours the gospel. A loving Father disciplines His children to share His righteousness (Heb 12:5-11). During times of discipline, we have the assurance that God’s discipline is a sign of love and not of wrath. In Christ, we stand secure. God’s fire consumes the dross and not the vessel. A purified church is a brighter light to a dark world and is a ready Bride for the Bridegroom’s return (Eph 5:25-27).

PETER’S DENIAL, REPENTANCE AND RECONCILIATION

(Mark 14:27-31; 65-72; Luke 22:31-34; 59-62)

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren” (Lk 22:31,32). Jesus, by calling Peter’s name twice, shows that this is an important message and an urgent warning. This picture is like in a court room where one of the lawyers, Satan, asks the judge for permission to speak and act. It was the same in the case of Job (Job 1:6-12). Lessons: God is sovereign. Without permission from God, Satan can’t attack a believer. God allows Satan to test Christians for His own divine purposes. The test is like “sifting the wheat”. This is the process by which the grain is separated from the chaff. It involves vigorous shaking. It is a severe trial or testing that ends in stronger and purer faith. Spiritual warfare is real. Satan attacks our faith in God. Watch and pray. Trials and challenging, but they are opportunities for spiritual growth and strengthening of faith. God uses them to purify our love for Him. Jesus’ warning to Peter comes with His intercession. We are comforted knowing that Jesus intercedes for us in our trials. After overcoming trials, we are called to support and strengthen others in their faith journey, as Peter was instructed to do. The warning of Jesus is a proof of His love for us. Spiritual attacks are real, personal, and often timed at moments of transition before promotions or breakthroughs in life. Satan’s goal is to uproot faith, but Jesus’ goal is to refine it. Jesus gives hope to Peter telling him what to do once he overcomes the trial – “when you have returned to Me”.

These Satan’s tactics: Accusation and condemnation (Rev 12:10). Deception, confusion about your identity as God’s child (“If You are the Son of God…” Lk 4:3). Isolation from the fellowship, loneliness (“Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecc 4:12). Pride (Peter boasted: “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death” Lk 22:33). How do we prepare? Admit your weakness. Totally depend on God. Be careful especially in times of fatigue, success, loneliness and conflict. Pray in English, in tongues and with God’s Word. “Watch and pray, so that you will not enter into temptation.” (Matt26:41). Clothe yourself with God’s Armor (Eph 6:10-18). Belt of truth: fight Satan’s lies with what God says. Breastplate of righteousness: stand in Christ’s finished work. Gospel shoes: keep moving, not fear. Forward ever! Shield of faith: extinguish fiery darts of fear and doubt. Helmet of salvation: guard your mind with faith and peace. Sword of the Spirit: active weapon. “It is written!” (Matt 4:1-11). Pray in the Spirit!

Strengthen Your position through the Fellowship of the brethren. Confess your sins and pray with trusted believers (Jam 5:16). Submit to your pastors and elders’. They watch for your soul. “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (Heb 13:17). Serve others; do good deeds. Warfare often becomes easier when focus shifts outward! Satan is real and active, seeking to “sift” believers, to shake them until their faith fails. Jesus is fully aware of every attack before it happens. Nothing escapes His sovereign eye. The Lord does not just observe. He intercedes: “I have prayed for you.” His prayer is directed to the most essential thing: Peter’s faith. If faith stands, the believer stands! Jesus’ petition is always effectual. What He asks the Father, the Father gives to Him. The goal is restoration and ministry. Jesus is constantly interceding. “He always lives to intercede for them” (Heb 7:25). Our failures are not the end of our Christian race. Peter denied Jesus, yet he was restored. Present stumbles cannot cancel future usefulness. Testing refines, not ruins. Live Ready, Not Fearful! Expect conflict but rest in Christ’ victory. Use hardship as training for ministry. Keep your eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of faith (Heb 12:2). Prepared believers don’t avoid trials, but come out purer, wiser, stronger, and able to strengthen others.

Jesus told Peter: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times”. Roosters crow early morning. Jesus predicted exactly Peter’s denial. When the rooster crows the second time, Peter remembers the words of Jesus. He now sees Jesus as the Omniscient Lord. It is a moment of sudden spiritual light, producing instant repentance and transformation. Peter broke down and wept. His emotional response of weeping is of deep godly sorrow and repentance. This moment of brokenness is a turning point in his spiritual journey, the beginning of his restoration until his eventual reinstatement by Jesus after the resurrection. It shows the transformative power of repentance and forgiveness. Peter’s denial serves as a reminder of human weakness and even with the best intentions, how easy it is to fall into sin. Peter’s later restoration by Jesus shows that failure is not the end, and God can use our weaknesses for His glory. Halleluiah! 

Some of the emotions of Peter:

*Shock and guilt. Only hours earlier, Peter had boldly declared, “Even if I must die with You, I will never deny You” (Mk 14:31). The second crow split the night air and jolted Peter’s memory. Peter felt Guilty. It was a personal failure at the very thing he promised never to do.

*Shame before His Lord. “The Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Lk 22:61). One look from Jesus pierced and broke Peter’s heart. Peter has publicly disowned the One he loved. It caused profound embarrassment.

*Fear and Confusion. Jerusalem was filled with hatred against Jesus. Peter was trying to hide his identity to save himself. Now, Peter was exposed, as a backslider. He was afraid that he has lost his relationship with Jesus.

*Love and Hope. Despite his shame and his failure, Peter still loved Jesus. That love increased his pain. He had a little hope. Earlier, Jesus prayed for him: “I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Lk 22:32). This prayer offered a faint hope beneath the ashes of failure. Jesus gave him work to do after “turning back”. The rooster’s crow marked the lowest point, yet also the turning point towards hope of reconciliation and further ministry.

*Godly sorrow that led to repentance “not to be regretted” (2 Cor 7:8-11). After the resurrection, Jesus would restore Peter on a Galilean shore (Jn 21:15-17), proving that godly sorrow truly leads to life. Once you realize that you are weak by yourself, you are ready to become who God wants you to be! “For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor 12:10). This is the secret power of Christianity. Worship the Lord!