Title: Spirit of Praise / John 21:15-18
Content Spirit of Praise vs. spirit of condemnation
Word: John 21:15-18
1. Weak Man
A person who is prudent in everything thinks and speaks carefully when expressing his or her thoughts and making decisions. On the other hand, a person who is always active and assertive is willing to express his or her opinion about anything and lead the opinion of others.
If we look at the life of Peter, we can see that he was an active and dignified person. Jesus asked his disciples, “People give different opinions about me, but who do you think I am?” (Matthew 16:13). Some of the disciples were wondering what answer they had to give to Jesus, and some of them must have thought theologically about whether Jesus was one of the prophets or more. Some may have been hesitant to answer because they seemed to be flirting. However, Peter did not look at other people's eyes and answered confidently and proudly, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).
Also, as soon as he heard the prophecy that Jesus would be rejected and killed on the cross, Peter got excited and confidently took the lead, saying, “Even if everyone forsakes you, I will never forsake you” (Matt. 26:31-34). Peter, who was truly convinced that he would not forsake the Lord, was terrified at the moment Jesus was arrested and executed on the cross, and could not even come to Jesus, and his former dignifiedness was nowhere to be found.
To the servants who asked, “Aren’t you also with Jesus the Galilean?” “I don’t even know that Jesus. Do not take a living.” Peter swore that he did not know Jesus. Peter, who was so proud, collapsed in vain at once. Thus, the human will is insignificant and weak. We can always be put to the test at home, at work and in our relationships. Therefore, we should always pray for the Holy Spirit to protect us so that we do not fall into temptation and fall into evil. Jesus said to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” I bless you that this Lent period will be an opportunity to wake up and pray spiritually.
2. The devil is a spirit of condemnation:
When Peter saw what he had done, he was amazed and vain and fell into a sense of shame. Not missing this moment when Peter's weakness was exposed, the devil grabbed Peter's weakness and attacked him intensively. “Peter, look at what you have done. Did you not deny by swearing that I did not know your teacher whom you said you loved and would be so loyal to?” The Devil continues to accuse Peter of his weaknesses, trying to plunge him into a deeper spiritual depression. Through accusations, Peter himself is trying to make him despair as a person who has betrayed the Lord and take away his will to live.
The devil thinks that when we show our weakness, we have the best chance to attack. They accuse us of “you are a poor human being” and try to force us to give up our will to live, condemn ourselves, and give up our dreams. The devil uses accusations to force us to give up our reasons for living. This is the reality of the devil. The devil's identity is the spirit of condemnation, so we must cast out condemnation in the name of the Holy Spirit. “I can start over in Jesus. I can be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.” We must reject the devil's accusations.
The devil knows that the destructive power of condemnation is an effective weapon against not only one person but also a community, so he uses it to plunge communities into conflict and chaos. If there is criticism in our homes, in our workplaces, or in our communities, we need to realize that we are being used by the devil. The devil destroys all relationships and diminishes the kingdom of God by making them criticize.
We need to circumcise our lips, removing reproach from them, and transforming them into lips of encouragement and praise, knowing that reproach is what the devil makes our relationship hellish. The Holy Spirit circumcises our lips of condemnation, changing the lips of condemnation into new ones and transforming us into people of the Holy Spirit.
3. Jesus restores again:
Jesus came to Peter, who had denied knowing him three times. When Jesus came to Peter, he did not rebuke him and spoke meaningful words.
First, when Jesus asked Peter three times, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these people?” He reached out to restore love. It was difficult for Peter to reach out to Jesus first, who should have pleaded with Jesus for his mistake. Jesus repeatedly asked Peter if he loved me and gave him three opportunities to confess Peter's love for Jesus. He acknowledged and restored the love relationship between Peter and Jesus. We think that the unforgivable person has to come first and ask for forgiveness, but the Holy Spirit asks us, as Jesus did, to reach out and start the word of reconciliation.
Second, Jesus restored Peter's mission for the kingdom of heaven by telling Peter to feed his sheep three times. Peter thought about what kind of work a person like me could do for the Lord, so he went to his hometown of Galilee and went back to the Sea of Galilee. Jesus, who had lost his dream and vision and was throwing a net, came to Peter and said, “Feed my sheep,” and restored the heavenly mission and vision to him.
4. Jesus Recognizes:
If you look at the life of Peter, from the beginning to the end, Jesus acknowledged and established his life. If Peter had not met Jesus, Peter would have ended his life as a fisherman in the Sea of Galilee. Until he met Jesus, Peter was a very ordinary person. Nothing showed me anything special to be a disciple of Jesus. Jesus established such Peter as His disciple and a pillar in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:18-19).
Also, hearing the answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” Jesus gave Peter the authority of the kingdom of heaven and recognized him as a person who would be able to perform the great works of heaven (John 21:18-19). Although Peter was a humble human being, Jesus recognized him as the Rock of Heaven.
Although Peter did not show anything special in his life, Jesus recognized him first. He did not end with acknowledging him, but established him as a disciple of Jesus and a pillar in heaven.
Jesus recognizes us as children of God and establishes us as precious beings for the kingdom of God.
Conclusion:
The Holy Spirit is an encouraging spirit, who recognizes and builds us up. Also, when we sincerely acknowledge and build up others, the Holy Spirit is more active in us. When we acknowledge other lives and reach out to others, we are being used as instruments of the Holy Spirit. Our lips become the lips of the Holy Spirit.