0649. 634. Peter’s Backsliding

634. Peter’s Backsliding

Christ indicates that Peter was wrong in heart before he was wrong in act, for before he recorded utterances describing his backsliding, He said, “When thou art converted” and “I have prayed for thee that thy faith may not fail” (Luk_22:32). Satan sifted Peter in his subtle service, and Peter lost the—

1. Wheat of confidence, for he was self-confident in his boasting—Luk_22:33.

2. Alertness of faith when he was asleep instead of being awake—Luk_22:45.

3. Simplicity of reliance, when he cut off the servant’s ear—Luk_22:50; Joh_18:10.

4. Nearness of fidelity, when he followed afar off—Luk_22:54.

5. Separation of obedience, when he sat down among the enemies of Christ—Luk_22:55; Joh_18:18.

6. Devotion of love, when he denied his Lord—Luk_22:57.

7. Reality of truthfulness, when he said he was not one of Christ’s disciples—Luk_22:58.

8. Consecration of sincerity, when he declared he knew not what the man said, when he was accused of being “with” Christ—Luk_22:60

By: DR. F. E. MARSH