CAN I BE HOLY? PART 1, Peters Example in the Struggle to be Holy
This is the first article in a six-part series on holiness from the books of First and Second Peter. The word holy may seem lofty, unattainable, or restrictive. But God calls us to holiness, “Be holy because I am holy.” Peter’s life gives us an example of how God turns an ordinary person, with doubts, fears, into a holy Christ-follower with unshakeable, obedient faith. His life and writings give impetus to the truth that we, too, can live a holy life.
PETER fell at the feet of Jesus, “Go away from me; I am a sinful man.” That didn’t stop Jesus from taking Peter from a rough diamond and turning him into a faceted rock-solid gem that sparkled with the light of Christ. Peter was transformed from a faithless fisherman to a forceful follower who didn’t back down from opposition or persecution.
Let’s look at his story.
Peter Called by Jesus
Andrew brought his brother Simon to meet Jesus. Upon seeing him, Jesus said, “You are Simon, but you will be called Peter, the rock” (John 1:42).
On another occasion, Jesus climbed into Peter’s boat. After a long, barren night of fishing, a word from Jesus brought fish swarming across the 13-mile fresh-water lake into Simon’s nets. Awestruck by this miracle and captivated by a smile that conveyed a love deeper than the Sea of Galilee, Simon put away his nets, climbed out of the boat, and followed Jesus.
Peter’s Proclamation of Jesus the Messiah
When many disciples turned away, Peter proclaimed Jesus the Messiah, the Son of the Living God (Mark 8:29, Matt 16:16, Luke 9:20). “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:60-69). A shining moment for Peter!
In one overzealous, not-so-shining-moment, Peter rebuked Jesus for saying he would be crucified. “Far be it from you, Lord!” “This shall never happen to you” (Matthew 16:22). Jesus called Peter a stumbling block because he didn’t have in mind the things of God.
Peter’s Denial of Jesus
The disciples gathered at the last supper when Jesus announced a betrayer was among them. Peter boasted he would never betray nor deny Jesus. But Jesus knew otherwise, “You will deny Me three times before the rooster crows” (Luke 22:33,34).
It happened just as Jesus said. Later that night, the soldiers arrested Jesus while he and his disciples were praying. Peter, trying to defend Jesus, chopped off the ear of the high priest’s servant, still unaware of the redemption plan. Jesus healed the servant’s ear and told Peter, “No more of this.”
Peter followed Jesus to Pilate’s courtyard, but his courage soon dissipated when three people recognized him as a disciple. Peter’s “I’ll never deny you, Jesus” soon became, “I don’t know the man.” The rooster crowed. Jesus turned, and Peter’s eyes were caught in His gaze. At that very moment, the torment of guilt and shame overcame Peter. In agony, he fled as hot tears streamed down his cheeks (Luke 22:54-62).
Following the death of Jesus, the disciples hid, fearful of the Jews.
On the Sabbath, the women who had gone with spices to the tomb of Jesus hurried back to report to the disciples the tomb was empty. Peter and John ran to the tomb. They looked in, struggling to make sense of it all. (Luke 24:1-12). Uncertain, they returned to their familiar occupation of fishing.
Peter Restoration and Reappointment
Jesus appeared to his perplexed disciples after the resurrection. On this third appearance, after a strenuous night of fishing, the disciples heard a call through the morning mist,
“Do you have anything to eat?”
“No,” they answered.
“Throw your nets on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”
Then John smiled and said to Peter, “It is the Lord.” At once, their nets were so full they were sinking. Peter grabbed his outer garment and jumped into the water. The other disciples towed the heavy nets to shore. Famished, the smell of the frying fish drew them to Jesus.
“Come and have breakfast,” Jesus said.
When they finished eating, Jesus drew Peter aside and said, “Do you love me, Simon?”
“Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.“
Jesus asked again, “Simon, do you love me?”
” Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.”
And a third time, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter, cut to the heart, responds, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
With each question to Peter, the Great Physician applied the healing salve of forgiveness and restoration. Peter would become that rock, after all! Like the first time, Peter put away his nets and followed the Master. This time, he would fish for men (John 21).
Peter’s Encounter with the Holy Spirit
Moments before Jesus ascended, he told Peter and the other disciples to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit that would empower them to be witnesses (Acts 1:8).
For ten days, one hundred and twenty disciples waited in an upper room. The Holy Spirit came. They spoke in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them (Acts 2:4). The travelers in Jerusalem for Pentecost heard them speaking in their native languages, praising God. Amazed and perplexed, the crowd asked, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:12).
Peter’s Ministry Launched
Peter raised his voice and addressed the crowd and preached about Jesus, His death, and resurrection. Three thousand people responded to Peter’s message with repentance and baptism (Acts 2:15-40). The church was born.
The Lord continued to add to their number each day, as they continued in the apostles’ teaching, prayer, communion, and fellowship (Acts 2:42-47).
Peter, a courageous leader, and bold preacher healed the sick (Acts 3:7; 5:15-16, 9:34), raised the dead (Acts 9:40), and called the church to holiness (Acts 5:4,5,10). When the authorities arrested him for preaching about Jesus, he was fearless (Acts 4:21). Peter led the church, obeyed the Holy Spirit, and carried the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10).
GOD PROVIDES EVERYTHING NEEDED FOR A HOLY LIFE
Jesus saw the potential in Peter’s life before he saw it himself. While Peter saw his flaws and sins, Jesus saw a rock of faith (Matthew 16:16-18).
Full of the Spirit, Peter writes, “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). Peter knew it was true! Power from the Holy Spirit became Peter’s source of strength and guidance.
One of the most influential leaders of the first century, Peter experienced the rise from failure, frailty, and fears to overcoming power, strength, and boldness. From Peter’s first encounter with Jesus, “You are Simon, but you will be called Peter, the rock” God was grooming Peter in holiness. And He will do the same for us. We are not what we will be.
I hope you will take the time to read through 1 and 2 Peter, only eight chapters. Even in the face of death, Peter experienced the divine power capable of providing everything he needed to live for his holy Savior. Peter died a martyr, being crucified upside down, feeling unworthy of dying in the same manner as Jesus. That’s unshakable faith. That’s holiness at work!
When we become discouraged, remember Peter. We can trust the promise of God’s “divine power” to help us and “give us everything we need” to grow into holiness.
Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16).
Go with us to Part 2. GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU TO BE HOLY
God has chosen you and will provide everything you need to live a godly life.
