SOME THOUGHTS ON PETER

   “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,” –  Philippians 2:5 (NASB).

How would you answer questions like: What does it mean to be a Christian? How does a Christian act? Or what are the characteristics of a Christian? We can answer those questions by looking at Peter’s life. Peter is an example of the transformation a follower of Jesus goes through and how the characteristics of Jesus are to be exhibited in the lives of believers.

I think most of us can identify with Peter. Peter was a person with many facets to his character. His tenacious spontaneity attracts the wild at heart. He was quick to speak and slow to listen, just like so many of us. He often found himself in situations that could have been avoided if he kept his eyes on Christ. All of these things make Peter such a relatable person. But we must also remember that although it took a while, Peter eventually learned to find His victory in Christ. God transformed him to a powerful witness. As we trace the trajectory of Peter’s life, we see a man powerfully renewed in his walk with Jesus Christ.

One of the most important aspects of our Christianity is recognizing that we are continually involved in transformation as we grow and mature as followers of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

Peter was the one who was full of strange contradictions in his early walk with the Lord. At times, he was presumptuous, timid, and even cowardly, but we see him transformed into a man of God who led the early church in its early days. Ultimately, we find him as a rock standing firm in the faith.  Acts 5:15 tells us “As a result of the apostles’ work, sick people were brought out into the streets on beds and mats so that Peter’s shadow might fall across some of them as he went by.”

Peter’s story is recorded to show us how a man can be used by God. We can hope for God to do the same in our lives. Peter’s life is a testimony to the fact that we can change. We can move from frustration and failure to fulfillment and fruitfulness. This is our inheritance and God’s intention for our lives.

Discussion Questions:

1. What can we learn from Peter’s life?
2. How does Peter’s life give us hope?