Are You A Peter: Denying Jesus In Daily Life

Matthew 26:75 “Then Peter remembered the words Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

People love to say, “I’m a good person. I’m sure I’ll go to Heaven.” By whose standards have you stamped your one-way ticket to salvation and everlasting peace? Your standards? The standards of your friends? The standards of your family? But what about the standards of Jesus? What does Jesus have to say about you? Does Jesus even know who you are?

Matthew 7:22-23 “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers!'”

“I never knew you.” Denying Jesus prevents Him from knowing you; being a Peter will leave you outside and weeping bitterly.

And now you say, “I don’t deny Jesus. I read my Bible, I go to church, I tell people I’m a Christian.” That’s fine – but do you know Jesus? Do you interact with Him in your life every single day? It’s not enough to tell people you’re a Christian, it’s not enough to go to church or read your Bible; those are great endeavors to enhance your path towards discipleship. However, whether you notice it or not, if you’re denying Jesus, He isn’t getting to know you.

How do you deny Jesus everyday? Here are some examples: If you ever get upset and act impulsively towards another person – you’re denying Jesus. If you give into lustful temptations that cause you to use your body to bring dishonor – you’re denying Jesus. If you let your distractions consume your time, and you sit idle wasting time – you’re denying Jesus. If you speak with pride and arrogance seeking praise for a job well done – you’re denying Jesus. If you go along with society’s pressures to support, endorse, promote, or perpetuate sin – you’re denying Jesus. Basically, any activity or words that you do or use everyday that does NOT give Jesus an opportunity to shine through you is a denial of Him.  We are not called saints and we are not set apart to deny Jesus – we are set apart to become involved in a deep, interactive relationship with Christ. A relationship in which Christ knows us, we know Him, and He literally uses our thoughts, words, and actions to bring glory to God.

Jesus does not want part of us, part of the time, when it’s convenient or when we decide to pencil Him into our busy schedules. Jesus wants us all the time to be all-in, full-blown, sell-outs for Christ…that means all the time. 

As Christians, it is time to cut the excuses. When we sin and when we allow our bodies to fall victim to impulsive temptations, we are denying Jesus. To consciously sin is to love the world and flesh and deny Christ: 1 John 2:15-17 ” Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pas away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

It’s time to stop denying Jesus at our convenience and call on Him at our convenience. Jesus is with us always – even when we deny Him. He never leaves us, and He waits patiently trying to get our attention to turn away from those worldly temptations that cause us to deny Him. If you are with your sin, you deny Jesus. Do not deny Jesus – do not prevent Him from getting to know you, do not let your relationship with Jesus become one that is filled with avoidance and drama – keep it pure. Jesus wants a pure and innocent relationship with you; a relationship that requires you to depend on Him and one where you do not deny Him. Matthew 18:2-3 “He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.”

Quit being a Peter, everyday. Build upon your relationship with Jesus as you would anyone who you value and love; He’s there, He really is. And He is persistent – when you deny Him, He comes right back for more.