One Failure Does Not Define a Man | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: One Failure Does Not Define a Man | Previous Challenge Entry
By Dot Hannah
04/15/15
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One Failure Does Not Define a Man
April 15, 2015

As the darkness closed in, he could see the crowd illuminated by the light of their torches, and the burly fisherman was terrified. It was a chilling scene, and he feared he seized be next like his Master. His heart beat as if it would literally jump out of his chest. Gone was his cool and confident composure. How could this be? He had thought so highly of himself, so proud of his commitment. Why his name even meant rock. Fear can cause you to react in radical ways, even a rock solid man like Peter.

When his beloved Teacher had predicted that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed, he was defiant. “Not me, Lord. I could never be disloyal to You.” How unwavering we think we are until we are tested. Peter, the first to openly acknowledge Jesus as Son of God, was human and therefore, weak, but he was always certain that when the opportunity came for him to stand up for Jesus, he would not fail Him.

The air was cool, and as he warmed himself by the fire, he peered into the faces of a group of men, but the fear of recognition caused him to shrink back quickly. The first denial came when a servant girl accused him and said, “Aren’t you also one of this Man’s disciples?” Peter said, “I am not.” Twice more he was asked by others, “You are also one of His disciples aren’t you? Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” He said, “I am not.” Immediately the cock crowed. (John 18:17, 25-27) Instantly he remembered what Jesus had predicted, and he wept bitterly. He could not pretend to be ignorant of his sin, and he was miserably disheartened. The devil’s highest price tool is discouragement. However, one failure does not define a man.

At that moment, Peter could not have known that he would be instrumental in the beginning of the Christian church. He was baptized in the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, preached with boldness, and saw three thousand saved. The simple had become profound, the weak had become strong and the cowardly became bold. The difference between the pre-Pentecostal and the Pentecostal Peter was astounding. He could not have known that even his shadow falling upon the sick would heal because of his faith. Could it be that he would have had no depth in the Lord had it not been for his failure resulting in humility and total dependence in his faith in Christ?

As predicted, Peter denied Christ three times. One the third time Jesus appeared to him after His resurrection, He asked, “Peter, do you love Me more than these?” Three times Peter affirmed his love for Him. Isn’t this just like our loving Savior? He gave Peter the same amount of times to affirm his love as he had denied Him? (John 21:14-24) Peter was strengthened in his faith, and he was wholeheartedly determined to spread the gospel, a power won by his devoted and self sacrificing life. He spent the rest of his time standing up for Jesus. It is believed that at the time of his death his gallantry and humility would not allow him to be crucified as Christ, but upside down.

God works in moments. He builds our faith moment by moment, even in our moments of failure. Peter’s example is to continue to walk the road of salvation to the very end by confessing failure but not stopping because of it. Christ is attentive to our tears of despair when we fail. We will have valuable opportunities to stand up for Him if we are willing to repent and keep moving forward. There’s only one way to fail, and that is to quit.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)

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