“He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5
Let’s face it, there’s a Simon and a Peter in all of us. There’s that “best side” of ourselves we want everyone to see that represents the Peter in us. The name Peter means, “rock” which is the steady, honest, trustworthy, and best representation of who we strive to be. Then, there’s the Simon, that shaky, unpredictable, not so easy to get along with, wavering at times, self. That side of us we really don’t want anyone to know about, but yet is a real part of us as well. And it was that “Simon” in Peter that caused him to deny Jesus three times, after swearing he’d never do it.
The Apostle Paul could relate to Peter’s struggle. He said so himself in Romans 7:15, “ I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.” Oh that we would just be honest with ourselves and accept the fact that we’re not perfect and we’re never going to be perfect. But, thank God for the “Perfect One.”
Because of God’s demand for Holiness, to which man could never achieve, Jesus became the “once and for all” sacrifice for us. So that, the punishment for sin was paid for on our behalf by One who “knew no sin.” This sacrifice satisfied God’s righteous demand and the punishment for sin, so that we who where not holy became righteous through Him. I know it’s a lot to grasp, and I wouldn’t claim for one second that I understand it all. But, that’s where “faith” comes in. Faith doesn’t require a “complete comprehension” it just requires our trust and acceptance of the Truth. And the truth is, we’ve been made righteousness by the “free gift of righteousness” that Jesus provided for us on the cross.
Because of this Free Gift, we don’t have to shrink back, or run and hide when we’ve blown it. Instead we can run to a loving Father that is there waiting with open arms to love us, dust us off and set us back on track. This kind of love only makes us want to fall in love with Him more and more.
So go ahead and face it. You’re never going to be perfect, but the “Good News” is the “Perfect One” paid the price for you.