| We have all messed up in our faith at some point. We were Christian in name but not in our actions and heart. Jesus said that we will have tribulations, but we should be of good cheer, WHY? Because He has overcome the world. One thing that we have to understand is that our Christian walk is not going to be a straight line. There will be bumps, peaks and low points. We must embrace all of them and learn from them because that is a testimony that God has been faithful to you, that He loves you, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Looking at Simon Peter and Judas Iscariot, they had both messed up and acknowledged that what they had done was wrong. However, their repentance was different. Judas had a ‘false’ repentance that led to guilt. The Bible says, “Judas was filled with remorse” (Matthew 27:3). The word ‘remorse’ in Greek is ‘metamelomai’ which means repent (a change of mind). This change of mind does not necessarily mean a change of heart and that is why Judas hung himself. |
|---|
| As for Peter, he “wept bitterly” (Luke 22:62), a ‘true’ repentance that led to a change of heart. Judas started strong and finished weak. Peter started strong and finished strong. Although Peter finished strong, do you notice that his journey was not straight. He faced trials, and sometimes he wasn’t able to overcome them. God always provides a way out when we are tempted but it’s not every time that we will see this way. Proverbs 24:16 says “For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes”. So don’t be disheartened. Rise up again! If you have gone astray, you need to realign yourself with God and repent. There is still grace for that. Go back to your Father, just like the prodigal son you will be welcomed with open arms. |
|---|
| Remember it’s a repentance that leads to a change of heart that will get you on the right track. Stay blessed : ) Teffanie |
|---|