Peter's life is an example to us. There are lessons here.
So, for one thing, you're not as bad as you might think. Yes, your sin has
twisted up so many things about you, but there is still good in there. Peter
really did love Jesus when he made his bold declaration. To be sure, it was a
love that needed to be purified. But it was a real love, a love that Jesus
built on. The same is true of you. You have been told through the years that
you are so bad. You’ve been told that there is so much wrong with you. And
you've believed that. And I have to admit that I have contributed to that
problem. But hasn't the Spirit changed you? Isn't that at the heart of what it
means to be a Christian? Isn't that why Peter could honestly declare his love
for Jesus? There is much good in who you are, much good that the Spirit has
brought about. So, when you think about yourself, the stress should not be on
what's wrong with you. That would be buying into Satan's lie. The stress should
be on what is right with you, what's good. After all, you're one of God's
saints, one of His holy ones, right? You have been made into good people
because of Jesus. So, don't accept Satan's lie and tell yourself that you are
such a terrible person, such an awful sinner. That would be true if you weren't
a Christian. But you are a Christian. So, there is good in you because of
Jesus. That's the Gospel. Believe it.
from Peter