The early morning silence was broken. The sound was not unfamiliar to me, but it’s one I seldom hear. In those tranquil moments before sunrise, my dad’s rooster began to crow. As I laid in bed, I started to think about the story of Peter’s denial from the Bible.
The story is mentioned in the Gospels. At the Last Supper, Jesus prophesies that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows. Peter vehemently rejects this idea.
After Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter follows Him to the high priest’s house. While in the courtyard, Peter is confronted on three separate occasions about his association with Jesus.
After all three confrontations, Peter denies knowing Jesus or having any affiliation with Him. Right after the third denial, the rooster crows. Peter then realizes what he has done and weeps over his actions.
When I heard the rooster yesterday morning, I couldn’t help but think of Peter’s denial and wonder how his story applies to my own life.
I have never openly denied Christ like Peter did. But every time I go against the whispering of the Holy Spirit by giving in to anger or ignoring that nudge to pay for the car behind me at the drive-thru, am I not denying Christ?
Sin is lawlessness, according to 1 John 3:4. It is contrary to the will of God and, therefore, Jesus. To sin is to reject the will of Jesus. By rejecting the will of Jesus, I am denying Christ in that moment.
All is not lost. Peter realized his mistake, repented, and became stronger and better afterward. Therefore, I can repent of my sin, ask for forgiveness, and grow stronger. Paul tells us in 2 Cor 7:10 —”For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (ESV)
I am not perfect, and will not fully conquer sin in this life. However, as a follower of Christ, sin should be the exception, not the rule. My life should not be ruled by sin but by obedience to Christ.
This is how all followers of Christ should live their lives. We should strive each day to be more like Christ and less like the sinful, broken people we are. When we miss the mark, we should run to Jesus and ask for forgiveness.
If you are a Christ-follower, what’s one area where you feel God calling you to grow closer to Him? Feel free to comment.
—Daniel