YOUR FAILURE DID NOT DISQUALIFY YOU FROM GOD LOVING YOU OR USING YOUR LIFE FOR GOOD
Peter denied Jesus three times.
Not once. Not twice. Three times.
He had walked with Jesus, witnessed His miracles, heard His teaching, and declared that he would never deny Him. Yet when fear took hold, Peter denied even knowing Him.
And Jesus knew exactly what Peter had done.
Yet after His resurrection, Jesus didn't throw Peter away.
He restored him.
Three times Peter had denied Him, and three times Jesus asked him, “Lovest thou me?” And then Jesus gave Peter an assignment:
“Feed my sheep.” John 21:17
Think about that.
Peter had failed Jesus publicly, but Jesus still had a purpose for Peter.
His failure was not the end of his story.
And then there was Paul.
Paul had to be publicly corrected by Peter because his behavior was wrong. Paul himself tells us that he “withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.”
Galatians 2:11 records the Apostle Paul publicly opposing and confronting the Apostle Peter (also called Cephas) to his face in Antioch, because Peter stood condemned for his inconsistent behavior.
Paul wasn't beyond correction. God does not shame us when we make mistakes. And a mistake is never counted to our shame. It's only a shame, when we don't learn from our mistakes.
But correction didn't disqualify him either.
God continued to use Paul mightily, and through him we received many of the letters that make up the New Testament.
What a powerful reminder for all of us:
Being corrected doesn't mean God is finished with you.
Failing doesn't mean God is finished with you.
Making a terrible mistake doesn't mean God is finished with you. God is not looking for people who have never failed. He is looking for people who will humble themselves, receive correction, repent when necessary, and keep following Him. Write that in your heart. God still loves us even though we mess up.
Even falling badly, doesn't mean your calling has disappeared.
Peter failed Jesus and was restored.
Paul was corrected and kept serving.
Peter messed up. Paul messed up. David messed up. And God still called them "a man after My own heart," "chosen vessel," "apostle to the Gentiles."
So if you've fallen, get back up.
If you've been corrected, receive it humbly.
If you've made a mistake, learn from it.
If you've disappointed yourself, remember that your failure is not greater than God's grace.
Your past may be part of your testimony, but it does not have to be the end of your story.
“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:24
The same God who restored Peter and continued to use Paul, can still use you.
Don't let your failure convince you that God has no more purpose for your life.
Get back up.
There is still work to do.
There are still sheep to feed.
And there is still a God of grace who is not finished with you.
