Reinstated/Restored

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “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

In this scene above, Jesus led Peter through an experience that would remove the cloud of his denial. Peter had disowned Jesus three times. Three times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. When Peter answered yes, Jesus told him to feed His sheep. It is one thing to say you love Jesus, but the real test is your willingness to serve Him. Peter had repented, and here Jesus was asking him to commit his life to Him.

I don’t know about you but I know what it feels like to have an epic failure. In fact, I’ve had many failures from wrong choices in my life and the weight of those mistakes can seem unbearable. Some of those mistakes took place before I became a believer and others afterwards. But like Peter, I also have experience God’s grace and forgiveness and the joy of being restored to a right relationship with Christ.

As a believer who has sinned, I wondered if that sin would result in losing the call on my life from God. But again, God graciously walked me through recommitting my life to Him and being reinstated to the purpose He planned for me – serving others.

Do you love me? Do you love me? Do you love me?

Often we quickly reply to the first question, “Yes Lord, I love you,” but when it is repeated over and over it causes us to dig deeper and answer from hearts that desire nothing more than to live our lives for God, whatever that requires. Eventually our response will be one of full surrender and commitment, “Yes, Lord, I love You and I will follow You wherever that may lead.”