Sharp County record., 1917-12-28

lss@ - esssssssS ssssaI 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 chiding him because we are
reminded Of our own failures and our
denlals 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 1t in these words: "The
devil tempts men through their ambi-
ton, their cupldity, 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
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, I will never
be offended" His failure doubtless
revealed to him his weakness, and
was used Of God in bringing him to
a 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 FIunkles."
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 "he had
no business with the nunkies," 1t Is
difficult to maintain q Christian pro.
fession even when we must be among
the ungodly but there is great dan
ger when we choose them for our com.
panlons.
Again, the element Of surprise has
to be reckoned with. Peter would have
been brave in the garden In open con-
fict with Chrlst's enemies, but he did
not expect to be nssailed Us he sat
by the fire that night. Earnest Chris
tans learn to dread temptations which
approach with the stealth Of a ser.
pent. The writer recalls the occasion
when he first saw Sensitive plant"
and remembers his surprise when Its
leaves wlthered at the approach of
his hand. II we are to escape better
than Peter did, our souls must be 80
tender that the very approach Of temp
Triton will cause them to shrink In
dread and hide themselves In Christ
Yet this man was restored even Nf.
ter such failure. There We're four
stems in his restoration.
Stepe Back to Christ.
First, there wns 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 been Yet we should
not forget that the same sud- pierc-
Ing gazc Is turned upon us when we
grlcvo Christ,
Secondly, the Lord sent u special
message TO Peter on the morning of
the resurrection mark 1910.
Thirdly, he had private interview
with this apostle on the day ho aroso
Uuke "a !3d; l Cor. 1850.
Finally, when he appeared to the
seven on the shore of the Sen Of Gull.
lee he renstated Peter most fully,
The story Is told In John 81, and is
worthy of careful perusal Three
times the Lord asked him II he loved
him, and the apostle had thrice denied,
40 he was allowed to confess him three
times. Poor Peter might have Thought
he would never ngOIn be lntrusted
with responsibility, but three times
the Lord bode him feed hs flock. Az
Il climax, this man who had saId he
would follow Christ to death, but had
mlled no shomefully, was told he
would, after nil, have the privilege Of
dying for hls Lord, Whit comfort
here For the b0ckslldcrl with what
now meaning may we sing, "Ie 70.
'ptoreth my soul" >