Being impetuous can ruin a person’s life…or it can, with godly direction, make his life amazing!
We can all likely think of incidents where impetuous actions ended in disaster, sometimes tragic ones. A person who can’t control their anger and who acts impetuously can tyrannize whole families, even communities, cities, nations, the world! We’ve seen too much growing evidence of that!
The apostle Peter for sure was an impetuous personality. Almost every story about his life in the gospels reveal this aspect of his make-up. From the time Jesus called Peter we read of his bold statements that seem to have been rash and sometimes reckless. We discern his judgmental nature. We see him as the “action guy” of the apostles. We see him as the leader of the apostles…at least he is portrayed in such a way. Yet we find him in trouble a number of times! The story related in Matthew 14:22-33 surely is the event that most describes Peters impetuosity when he immediately exclaimed, “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to you on the water!” Of course we all know the outcome of that experience….both thrilling and disappointing!
For me, the saddest example of Peter’s impetuous nature was at the end of Jesus life where Peter promised three times he would never deny Christ! He seemed vehement in these statements, for he was perplexed that Jesus would question his devotion. Then, of course, the consequent actual denial, three times, as Jesus was going through the cruel trial that led to His crucifixion! It is a blessing to us, who live by faith in Christ, to have the Bible record Peter’s reckless promises and to record his denial, and his ensuing remorse and despair. We are comforted, in actual fact, to know that the Lord did and will show mercy and forgiveness to one whose nature misdirects him and words are spoken too quickly, without thinking.
Fast-forward through the crucifixion, resurrection, ascension of Jesus, to the day of Pentecost, Acts chapter 2. Has Peter defected? No, we find him restored to full assurance and confidence! It is amazing indeed what the resurrection of Jesus did for the apostles and all the followers of Christ! Then we read of the powerful work of the Holy Spirit as Peter and the apostles proclaim the great gospel of Christ, the new way of salvation that He bought with His own blood, the Perfect sacrifice once and for all times for the sins of mankind!
This transformation in Peter’s life gives all of us such hope!
We see that God can use us, whatever our “besetting sin” might be, if we let Him transform us, make us new, forgiving and sanctifying us through faith in Him!
We are blessed to truly know the changes in Peter as he aged, mellowed, and became more and more like the Lord. His letters to the church, 1 and 2 Peter, testify to the transforming work of the Spirit of Christ in Peter’s life. From Peters “not me, Lord!” (Matthew 26:13) to his benediction found in the close of 2 Peter 3, verse 18, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen,” we realize how he became more the man God wanted him to be. And it is proof that God can take us, whatever our personality, and shape us as He wants us to be, if we are willing to surrender to His will and work in our lives.
The “good” side of an impetuous nature is seen when we are prompted by something that occurs to do a good deed and we act upon it in faith. Too many times we back off when we have an impulse to do a good thing, take time to analyze it, or delay, and the opportunity passes us by. I pray that all of us will recognize these opportunities, and have the courage and faith to act upon them at the moment of occurrence. I am sure there were probably many unrecorded events in Peters life where his impulsive nature resulted in great good in his and other peoples lives.
Prayer:
Father in Heaven, help up to be willing to be molded by You into the serving, loving likeness of Jesus, who came to show us You, our Father! Use our individual uniqueness by changing and ‘tweaking us’ so that our lives point to You in all we do!
Thank You, Father, for the work of the Spirit of Christ in our lives. Help us stay sensitive to your leading. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Jan McCoy
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