Denial

Nearly everyone who is every caught red-handed committing a crime pleads “not guilty”.  I can recall many times when I was called out on something that I said or had done, and I denied it strongly. When I’m called out or busted for something, it’s embarrassing for sure. I don’t know that I’ve ever denied knowing Jesus with my words. I hate to admit that I’ve denied the Lord with my actions. In other words, I’ve done things that were in direct opposition to what I say I believe. That denial is problematic to my relationship with Jesus.

Peter had been rather strong in His rebuttal about denying Jesus. Peter denied knowing Jesus three different times during the night Jesus was betrayed. He was embarrassed and hurt afterward. Check this out…

⁷⁵ Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly. (Matthew 26:75 NLT)

I want the words of my mouth and the actions of my life to be in complete harmony. I want my actions to re-affirm what I say I believe.

And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. (Isaiah 29:13 NLT)

I’m asking the Lord to help me live out my faith because of my deep faith in Him.  I don’t ever want to deny knowing Him by the words I speak or the actions I take.

Pressing On!

Dwayne