The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-07-28

lss%@ B. S@ He was the brave
I@$S \ <@&%%#SS&l man who under
l@ssM SO .S&sS&&NSSGa2G& took to defend
Christ in the gar
den, yet he covered before the ser.
wants in the high priests palace. He
was not in danger Of being killed If
he had confessed Christ, but denied
him to save himself from being taunt-
ed. And all this occurred on the same
night in which he had received the
bread and wine from the hands of his
master, and had submitted to having
his feet washed by him! We are only
kept from Gliding him because we are
reminded Of our own failures and our
denials of Christ.
The Sin Of Profanity.
Added to the sin of denial was that
of profanity, for we are told that he
began to curse and to swear, saying
he knew not the man. The sin of
profanity clings to man, and the ten
dency sometimes appears even after
conversion. Many have failed at this
point, although delivered from other
sins. An old writer has pointed out
the folly of it in these words: 1.-THE
devil tempts men through their ambi-
ton, their cupidity, or their appetite,
until he comes to the profane swear
er, whom he clutches without any re-
ward" There is a melancholy comfort
in the fact that Peter seemed to feel
they would not suspect him Of being
a disciple If they should hear him
use profane language; the world ex-
poets things Of Christians.
Several elements enter into the
story of Peters denial. First of all,
we notice his self-confidence. "If all
shall be offended in thee, will never
be offended" His failure doubtless
revealed to him his weakness, and
was used of God in bringing him to
better mind. BY such testings we
learn our own helplessness and are
driven to the strong one for strength.
in his epistle, Peter emphasizes the
value Of meekness and godly fear.
mo Business With the FIunkies."
Another secret of Peters failure is
found in the society he kept. He had
followed his Lord afar off, and when
he came into the palace, sat down
with the high priests servants. AS
an old Scotch woman said, she had
no business with the flunkies." 1t is
difficult to maintain a Christian pro-
fession even when we must be among
the ungodly, but there is great dam
,hn, cbn 60
panions.
Again, the element of surprise has
to be reckoned with. Peter would have
been brave in the garden in open con-
flict with Christ's enemies, but he did
not expect to be aSsailed as he sat
by the fire that night. Earnest Chris
tians learn to dread temptations which
approach with the stealth of SER
pent. The writer recalls the occasion
when he first saw sensitive plant"
and remembers his surprise when its
leaves withered at the approach of
his hand. If we are to escape better
than Peter did, our souls must be so
tender that the very approach Of temp
tation Will cause them to shrink in
dread and hide themselves in Christ.
Yet this man was restored even af
ter such failure. There were four
steps in his restoration.
Steps Back to Christ.
First, there was the look of Christ.
After the Growing of the cock, we are
told the Lord turned and looked upon
Peter. What look of wounded love
that must have beenl Yet we should
not forget that the. same sad, pierre
ing gaze is turned upon us when we
grieve Christ.
Secondly, the Lord sent special
message to Peter on the morning of
the resurrection mark 16:O.
Thirdly, he had a private interview
with this apostle on the day he arose
duke "a IA; / Cor. Is 30.
Finally, when he appeared to the
seven on the shore of the Sea of Gall
lee, he reinstated Peter most fully.
The story is told In John 81, and is
worthy Of careful perusal. Three
times the Lord asked him IL he loved
HIM and the apostle had thrice denied,
so he was allowed to confess him three
times. Poor Peter might have thought
he would never again be intrusted
With responsibility, but three times
the Lord babe him feed his flock. As
a climax, this man who had said he
would follow Christ to death, but bad
failed so shamefully, was told he
would, after all, have the privilege of
dying for his Lord. What comfort
here for the backslideri With what
new meaning may we sing, "He re-
storeth my SOUL