"Appointed to Stand"

 "Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie," (John 20:6 KJV)

  "Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me." At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God."" (John 6:61-69 NLT)

 This is the part of the story where things begin to get rather interesting, if that is the proper word to use; regardless of what you might think, Peter is not yet fully convinced; yet his heart is open for the truth, he just needs a little more convincing. John, although he is more willing to believe, he is not yet bold enough to be the one to proclaim it. 

 There is something to be said about way people are saved; some are saved wanting to gain something; while others, are saved hoping to be freed from something. Which one has the greater chance to be used of God? To be perfectly honest, I believe they are both used the same amount, but in different directions. One will be gaining the skill to teach and to lead, while the other will be the suffering servant that dies to himself and shows people how to love. 

 We all have our own calling, some more apparent than others; but none are less important that another! Of greater importance than anything we can do; God's role is greater! We could be the man or woman that just shows someone a little bit of kindness; without even knowing whom we have shown that kindness to. But that person could be the next Billy Graham, depending upon what God might do, with the little bit of kindness that you gave out.  

 To be perfectly frank, to stand is not really that supernatural, as we might think; but it is sacrificial, because it means that you are taking a stand, regardless of who or what might come against you. This is based upon what you believe, in that particular moment, without any concern for yourself. Does it happen all of the time? Sorry, to say, but it comes and goes like everything else! 

 With that, we have got to be led by the Spirit! Which, in case you did not know, means you must be willing to obey the directions that the Holy Spirit gives you. He will not force you to do what you are not willing to do; but He will force you to succeed in whatever you allow Him to do!

 Oh, by the way, I heard a little bit of a message about Peter the other day, when he was chained to those two Roman guards in prison. James, John's brother had just been killed by having his head cut off, and Peter was arrested, expecting the same. However, when an angel came to save him, he was fast asleep; so much so, the angel had to shake him to wake him up. 

 The point made about Peter being in a deep sleep, was that he was at home! At this point in his life, he was wherever God might have had him, without much of a care about anything else, but just to rest in the Lord! Much as Jesus had done, when He slept during the storm on the boat, as the disciples cried out, "Awake Lord! Don't you care if we die?" 

 The whole point was the fact that Jesus said, "We are going to the other side!" He didn't say what might happen along the way, but He did promise that they would make it to the other side...

"For if you are trying to make yourself right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God's grace. But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love. You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn't God, for he is the one who called you to freedom." (Ephesians 5:4-8 NLT)