In surrendering to death on the cross, Jesus overcame the power of sin and opened a door to your freedom. How? He recovered the spiritual authority that Adam had lost to Satan in giving in to the lie of the serpent and disobeying God. All who believe in this truth are, likewise, reclaimed as God’s own, and redeemed from the same power of sin and spiritual death. As Jesus declared in Revelation 1:18-19, “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Having the keys He alone can open your door to freedom from guilt and condemnation.
RELEVANCE
Peter’s life illustrates a great example of a life reclaimed and transformed. He was humbled, and allowed the LORD to impart in him a great grace gift. Extremely impetuous, impulsive and self-confident, Peter thought he could never deny the LORD. How quickly he did, though, just as the LORD had predicted.
However, he allowed the Holy Spirit to convict his heart. He was then given the grace of redemption, and the opportunity to three times declare his true love for the LORD. After the LORD asked him three times, “do you love me,” Peter replied, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You” (John 21:17). He knew that Jesus knew his weaknesses; but also his heart—which had softened in repentance and humility.
Peter learned that the LORD really knew his heart. He surrendered to the conviction by the Holy Spirit. He allowed the Holy Spirit to fill the gap in His heart. That empowered a real change in temperament and attitude: real transformation. He could, therefore, be entrusted with a large measure of authority and anointing of the Holy Spirit!
REFLECT AND RELATE
Has the Holy Spirit been leading you to consider some things and beckoning you to settle the issue—and come to the understanding of God’s truth—which will make you free?
Has the Holy Spirit been leading you to repent for anything, totally surrender and trust God?
REFERENCES
1 Samuel 13:1-15; Psalm 51:1-19; Daniel 4:34-36; Matthew 16:24-27; Mark 8:35-38; Philippians 4:12