We’ve been talking about learning from our mistakes and failures. In fact, when it comes to serving God, they don’t disqualify you, they educate you.

Let’s consider the example of Peter. Before Jesus’ crucifixion, he denied knowing him three times. That is a very serious offense, especially in Jesus’ time of need!

After the resurrection, Jesus had a conversation with Peter and asked him if he loved him. In fact, he asked him three times: “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). Each time, Peter said that he did. In response, Jesus told him to feed his lambs and sheep, which is a way of telling him to take care of his people.

Peter’s three denials were countered by his three expressions of love. 

Here’s what we need to see. Peter learned his lesson and, as a result, lived a changed life. First, he wrote a letter in the New Testament called First Peter which encouraged Christians who were suffering to stay loyal to God. Second, he was martyred for his faith. He stayed true even when it got very intense and dangerous.

How can you use what you have learned through your mistakes to serve God?

Perhaps you let someone down; you didn’t show up when it mattered most. Therefore, from here on out, you decide to be a steadfast friend to the people you meet and to do it for the glory of God.

You know your mistakes best. You know what you’ve learned. And you know how to serve God with greater faithfulness as a result.

Mistakes happen. But so do opportunities to learn and serve.

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Notes:

–This Sunday, April 30, 2023, I begin a new series at Westminster in Barrie on the most popular psalms. We begin with the “gateway to the psalms,” Psalm 1. It’s about the two paths—that of righteousness and that of wickedness.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.