In This Issue

• PETER’S FALL AND RESTORATION

• "RESIST THE DEVIL"

• CASTING LOTS

• JOHN ANDRE, 1751-1780

• MORE INFORMATION...

PETER’S FALL AND RESTORATION

Peter had followed at a distance as Jesus was led away to be judged by the chief priests and the Sanhedrin council. False witnesses had lied about Him. Some had spit on Him. Others hit Him with their hands, mocked Him, etc. "Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, 'You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.' But he denied it, saying, 'I neither know nor understand what you are saying.' And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. And the servant girl saw him 'again and began to say to those who stood by, 'This is one of them.' But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, 'Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.' But he began to curse and swear, 'I do not know this Man of whom you speak!' And a second time the rooster crowed. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.' And when he thought about it, he wept." (Mark 14:66-72).

A few hours earlier, Peter had vowed to stand by Jesus, even to die with Him if necessary, no matter what others did (verses 29-31). We do not doubt his sincerity nor question his intentions, but as Jesus said, "The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak" (verse 38).

Indeed, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword and would have fought to the death. At that time, he did not yet understand the peaceful heavenly nature of Jesus’ kingdom. Being rebuked and commanded to put away his sword, and seeing the Lord miraculously heal the man he had wounded must have greatly confused him. And then to watch as his Lord was lied about, spit on, beaten and mocked while He said and did nothing in His own defense. The shame and disgrace was such that Peter, with all his good intentions -- succumbed to the weakness of the flesh. The man who had been so confident --perhaps over confident -- of his devotion to Jesus, finds himself denying that he even knows Him. Denying His Lord with a curse and an oath. Just as Jesus had foretold that he would do, (verse 30).

We learn from observing the actions of Simon Peter that it takes less courage to bear a sword than to bear the shame of the cross. But Jesus said, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Mark 8:34).

We rejoice that Peter's denial of Jesus was a temporary lapse. He repented and went on to become one of the most effective and influential Christians who ever lived. God grant that we, too, may overcome our weaknesses and fears and be faithful servants of God.

–Clarence R. Johnson

"RESIST THE DEVIL"

Resisting the devil is the demand of both James (4:7) and Peter (1 Pet 5:8). But how do we do that? We must have the will to resist. Some so love the world and pleasures of sin that they simply do not want to resist. “.... and the lusts of your father (the devil) ye will do"— you wish to do (John 8:44). Such people do not resist: they give up — quickly, easily, gladly. God works successfully in man by getting him to "will and do after His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). Nothing replaces "want to."

We also need a confident spirit, a "can do" attitude. We seldom rise higher than our expectation. Remember Peter? He said, "Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended...though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee" (Matt 26:33,35). He did deny and that before morning. Yet we should not expect him to renounce his claim. Later, Jesus called for him to reaffirm that bold commitment. He told Peter that in the final scene, he would measure up to it (John 21:15-19). And remember Paul’s I can do, "through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). And we "can do" too.

We also use scripture to resist. The Bible is not a charm that scares the devil away, but its truth in man enables man to intimidate him. Jesus met the devil with "It is written" and the devil left him (Matt 4:1f). It is our "sword" to fight the devil (Eph 6:17). The devil’s strong delusion overcomes only those who "love not" and "believe not" the truth (2 Thes 2:10-12).

Prayer helps us resist. The Lord prayed for Peter in his crisis (Luke 22:32) and told him later to "watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation" (Mark 14:38). The Lord spent the night before His arrest in prayer. Paul asked brethren to pray for him that he might boldly preach as he "ought" (Eph 6:18-20). Ask God for help; he knows how to deliver (2 Pet 2:9).

We need wisdom to help us resist. James recommended pray for wisdom in time of trial (1:5). This is no fool’s game! Good judgment is absolutely necessary if we are to defeat the cunning of the devil. Successful resistance demands that we be "not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor 2:11).

It takes character to resist the devil. That means being "strong in the Lord" and "putting on the whole armor of God." The result? We will "stand against the wiles of the devil" and "withstand in the evil day" (Eph 6:10-13). The weak are devoured by Satan. Good character rejects sin. Even in the stress of hot anger, good character will "sin not...neither give place to the devil" (Eph 4:26-27). Paul sent to "know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you" (1 Thes 3:5). Therefore, we are urged to "resist steadfast in the faith" (1 Pet 5:9).

Good associations help our resistance to evil (Gal 6:1) as surely as evil companions corrupt (1 Cor 15:33). Good brethren "provoke unto love and good works" (Heb 10:24).

–Joe Fitch, Castleton Light, Jan. 5, 2003.

CASTING LOTS

God’s people of old often used the practice of casting lots. They considered casting lots as a way to decide doubtful questions in religious and other solemn occasions. This was one way of appealing to God for divine judgments. They would leave the decision with God, the supreme Arbiter in man’s affairs. “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord,” (Proverbs 16:33, ESV).

They usually involved God by prayer. God would decide matters of the moment, which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided by the people. The writer of Proverbs says, “Throwing lots settles arguments. It keeps the two sides from fighting,” (Proverbs 18:18, ICB).

When choosing a successor to Judas the apostles prayed before they cast lots. The 120 disciples who were assembled in that upper room were able to make choice among them who was qualified to be an apostle according to Peter’s instructions. They found Justus and Matthias to be equally qualified. Both of them had been with the apostles from the baptism of John unto the same day that Jesus was taken up from them. They also witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. However, the 120 could not choose between Justus and Matthias, so they prayed to God and said, “‘You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two you have chosen to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place’ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And Matthias was numbered with the eleven apostles,” (Acts 1:15-26).

Lots were also cast in the matter of exposing Achan as sinner, (Joshua 7:14-18). Again, lots were cast to identify Jonathan as violator of King Saul’s command, (1 Samuel 14:40-42).

Once, Jonah tried to run from God and was exposed by the casting of lots, (Jonah 1:7).

The more we study about Moses, the greater our respect for him grows. The tremendous task of leading the rebellious Israelites from the bondage of slavery to the Promised Land was more than what was humanly possible at times. But God was with Moses all the way. Can you imagine the task of dividing the land for the multitudes of tribes and families? This situation is another example of the use of casting lots to allow God’s judgment to make the decisions, (Numbers 26:55-56).

–Wendell Ward, Road Creek Bulletin, Elkhorn City, KY

JOHN ANDRE, 1751-1780

Be not deceived. God does not desire the death of the sinner. He has no pleasure in it. The gift of his only Son, the suffering and death ... all prove that God is "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance".

During the struggle for independence, when this nation was involved in war with Britain, the American Army was stationed on the banks of the Hudson River. Beyond the lines of the army, a young man was taken by some American soldiers, and carried into the presence of the commander-in-chief. He was presumed a spy. As such he was tried, condemned, and sentenced to be hung. I scarcely need say that I refer to Major Andre. When the capture and condemnation of Andre were known, they excited universal commiseration. He was so young and accomplished, so noble and brave, that all pitied... Petition after petition was sent to Washington, praying him to spare Andre ... These petitions came from the best of our countrymen... the officers of the army, united in the same request.

The point to which I wish to call your attention is this: Was Washington hard of heart? Was he alone unmoved...? No...He wished not the death of Andre; and he would have saved him if he could have done it consistently with his high sense of duty. No heart bled more than his at the untimely fate of that noble officer. And the death warrant, read to Andre upon the scaffold, was wet with the tears of Washington. He wept as he signed it. He pitied, but he could not save. As a man, he would have pardoned; but as a judge, -- as one to whom was committed the great interest of American freedom -- he could not. There was treason in the camp. [Andre was a British officer, who was working with the American officer, Benedict Arnold).

So it is with the Judge of the universe. "Have I any pleasure in your death?" is his tender language to the sinner. "Turn ye, turn ye, for why will ye die?" is his affecting inquiry. But, if the sinner will not abandon his way; if he will not turn and live; if he persists in disobeying God, and will go unwashed and unprepared, to the judgment -- then "upon his own head his blood will be found." [see Eze. 18:1-32]

The above quotation is from a written discussion that Alexander Campbell had on Universalism, [Universalism Examined Renounced Exposed, 1842, pp.378-380]. I thought it well illustrates God's love for the lost, but if the sinner does not turn he will perish.

–Dan Peters, Margaret St. Messenger, Joliet, IL, Feb. 1, 2004 

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