Sometimes in our Christian life we run into situations where it would seem more beneficial for us to sin.
We think we will go hungry if we don’t steal some food, We’ll lose our job if we don’t fudge the numbers., The ugly truth will be discovered. If we don’t lie.
Brothers and sisters, the way of the world may look more sensible and satisfying at times, but let me tell you something, God wants better for you.
When we encounter experiences like these and choose to sin, that is really a crisis of faith. We doubt that God can provide for us, or pull us out of the predicament we’re in. So, we take it upon ourselves. Proverbs 3: 4-5.
Let me tell you a story about the apostle Peter, when he was in a tough spot, and God showed himself faithful.
Acts 12: 1-10. “Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to Harass some from the church. Then he killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also. Now it was during the days of unleavened bread. So. When he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. Now, behold, an Angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; And he struck Peter on the side and raised him up., saying, “arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. Then the Angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; And so, he did. And he said to him, “put on your garment and follow me.” So, he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the Angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they were past the 1st and the 2nd guard posts, They came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; And immediately the Angel departed from him.
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I knew for certain that the Lord has sent his Angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”
In that dark, dark prison cell, his close friend having just been executed, him slated to be next, chains on his wrists, and a soldier on each side of him; What Christian, do you think appeared to be the most advantageous in Peter’s eyes?
I can think of one, renouncing his faith in Christ. If he had done this, he most likely would have been released from prison and accepted back into the synagogue. Life could have continued on as normal for Peter, a peaceful existence, fishing on the Sea of Galilee, raising a family and building a legacy.
Other than that, his head was soon to be separated from his neck. So, what did Peter do? Did he take the easy way out? No, his response to this crisis can best be described in his own words.
1Peter 4:18 Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
Amazing words. Peter put his confidence in the Lord, and God proved himself trustworthy.
Brothers and sisters, if we follow the apostle’s example, then God will do the same in our lives as well. It may not be anything as miraculous as an Angel busting us out of the slammer, but He will show up. Trust God and always put Him first, and He will work things into your life you never thought possible.
