Peter saw Jesus walking on the water but doubted it was Him, even after Jesus announced: "I AM." Jesus reaffirmed His identity but Peter wanted to put Him to the test and see if he could walk on water as evidence. Now, it is easy to look at Peter's weaknesses, but often he stood as the spokesman of the group or the point man. He showed that he wasn't afraid of an apparition or ghost, as the others did and took up Jesus at His challenge to "come" to Him on the water. Peter did step out, which proves he took the leap of faith that is required for salvation, no matter how weak our faith, we need to step out! Peter knew this was no great challenge to the Lord and showed great faith in even venturing out, though he did falter.
When Peter walked on water he didn't debate the pros and cons of obeying the Lord or the consequences of his act of faith, he just did it. It is the same with us, just do it! God will give you the faith if you step out keeping your eyes on Him. Peter knew nothing of Newton's laws of gravitation and even though he had no idea of its formulation he knew that water couldn't hold him up and that something was supernatural in his act of walking on water. In correspondence to our walk, God asks us to step out unto the water and storms of life in faith and to "walk on water," as it were, or do the impossible. With God all things are possible and we know the one who made the rules and can suspend them at will or overrule them according to His will and plan. If we are walking with Christ we are able to walk on water and do whatever God requires of us, no matter how unrealistic it seems to us at the time, because God makes all things beautiful in His time.
When we have faith in God's power, He can work His power in us and there is no such thing as a small task to ask God to do or a small favor, because they are all small to Him, because He is so big. Peter did take a few successful steps into the unknown in spite of the storm and waves on the lake, but he failed to follow through on his faith. Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith-- this is where he failed and we need to learn a lesson. The moment Peter took his eyes off the Lord he began to sink. He focused on the circumstances and not on the power of God and His providence and care. When we get sidetracked by the cares of this world we can't walk toward Jesus as our goal to come to Him in faith.
This story is analogous to our salvation experience when we first experience God. Isaiah 45:22 exhorts us: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth...." Hebrews 2:9 says: "But we see Him...." Jesus bids us come to Him! He is the great Pursuer of our souls. Even if we start to sink Jesus will lend His hand to rescue us so that we won't utterly drown in the evils of the world and our flesh once we have made the decision to come to Him in faith. Just like in the story Jesus is coming after us as He foresees our predicament and destiny. We don't have to know all the rules of engagement to come to Him, but just know that it is Him who is calling us and putting our faith in Him, not in our ability to adjust or cope with the call. In other words, it is not how much faith we have, but the object of our faith that saves--faith doesn't save, Jesus does! When the Hound of Heaven chases you, be ready to respond in due faith. Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God according to Hebrews 11:6. Note that Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!" Our faith must be directed towards Him and, if it is sincere, He will save us.
Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but an element of it; no one has perfect faith, but only sincere and unfeigned faith. The problem with most Christians is that they refuse to admit their doubts and fears and to thereby get healed of them. Just like Jesus asked Peter why he doubted, it is vital that we confront our doubts and resolve them rather than run from them. People are ashamed to doubt and don't know that God can answer their questions and can give them great faith. We don't need great faith to do great things, for having faith the size of a mustard seed can even move mountains. We never do great things, says Mother Teresa of Calcutta, we only do things with great love. God is the one who makes our labors great and we have nothing to boast about. "...[Y]ou have done for us all our works" (Isaiah 26:12 ESV).
Peter did a great thing is attempting to walk on water and God may call us to do some great and even unusual or questionable task that takes faith in our walk with Him. We cannot look down on or judge Peter because he sank, because we have never even made one step on the water ourselves. It is too easy to criticize when you've never tried it yourself. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). "For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." (Rom. 15:18). Soli Deo Gloria!
When Peter walked on water he didn't debate the pros and cons of obeying the Lord or the consequences of his act of faith, he just did it. It is the same with us, just do it! God will give you the faith if you step out keeping your eyes on Him. Peter knew nothing of Newton's laws of gravitation and even though he had no idea of its formulation he knew that water couldn't hold him up and that something was supernatural in his act of walking on water. In correspondence to our walk, God asks us to step out unto the water and storms of life in faith and to "walk on water," as it were, or do the impossible. With God all things are possible and we know the one who made the rules and can suspend them at will or overrule them according to His will and plan. If we are walking with Christ we are able to walk on water and do whatever God requires of us, no matter how unrealistic it seems to us at the time, because God makes all things beautiful in His time.
When we have faith in God's power, He can work His power in us and there is no such thing as a small task to ask God to do or a small favor, because they are all small to Him, because He is so big. Peter did take a few successful steps into the unknown in spite of the storm and waves on the lake, but he failed to follow through on his faith. Hebrews 12:1 exhorts us to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith-- this is where he failed and we need to learn a lesson. The moment Peter took his eyes off the Lord he began to sink. He focused on the circumstances and not on the power of God and His providence and care. When we get sidetracked by the cares of this world we can't walk toward Jesus as our goal to come to Him in faith.
This story is analogous to our salvation experience when we first experience God. Isaiah 45:22 exhorts us: "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth...." Hebrews 2:9 says: "But we see Him...." Jesus bids us come to Him! He is the great Pursuer of our souls. Even if we start to sink Jesus will lend His hand to rescue us so that we won't utterly drown in the evils of the world and our flesh once we have made the decision to come to Him in faith. Just like in the story Jesus is coming after us as He foresees our predicament and destiny. We don't have to know all the rules of engagement to come to Him, but just know that it is Him who is calling us and putting our faith in Him, not in our ability to adjust or cope with the call. In other words, it is not how much faith we have, but the object of our faith that saves--faith doesn't save, Jesus does! When the Hound of Heaven chases you, be ready to respond in due faith. Remember, without faith, it is impossible to please God according to Hebrews 11:6. Note that Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!" Our faith must be directed towards Him and, if it is sincere, He will save us.
Doubt is not the opposite of faith, but an element of it; no one has perfect faith, but only sincere and unfeigned faith. The problem with most Christians is that they refuse to admit their doubts and fears and to thereby get healed of them. Just like Jesus asked Peter why he doubted, it is vital that we confront our doubts and resolve them rather than run from them. People are ashamed to doubt and don't know that God can answer their questions and can give them great faith. We don't need great faith to do great things, for having faith the size of a mustard seed can even move mountains. We never do great things, says Mother Teresa of Calcutta, we only do things with great love. God is the one who makes our labors great and we have nothing to boast about. "...[Y]ou have done for us all our works" (Isaiah 26:12 ESV).
Peter did a great thing is attempting to walk on water and God may call us to do some great and even unusual or questionable task that takes faith in our walk with Him. We cannot look down on or judge Peter because he sank, because we have never even made one step on the water ourselves. It is too easy to criticize when you've never tried it yourself. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). "For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me..." (Rom. 15:18). Soli Deo Gloria!
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