Category Archives: Bible Study

CHOSEN AND PREDESTINED – 2a

Bible Study, ,

Ephesians 1:11-12 NIV‬
[11] “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, [12] in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”

God has written some things in His book that are incomprehensible or even distasteful to some people. For example, theologians have tried to argue away or justify the fact that God chooses people. “Since God knows everything,” they say, “He knew who woud believe in Jesus, so He chose them to be saved.”

However, such reasoning is one-sided and incomplete and does not therefore, fit in with Scripture. Instead, it compromises God’s absolute sovereignty and puts people’s freedom to choose as the reason behind God’s choosing. Humans try to explain away God’s apparent unfairness since they think that He is unfair if He arbitrarily chooses some and sends the rest to hell (so it seems)!

Is this true of the God of the Bible? Can we legitimately accuse Him of a travesty of justice like this? If so, then He is no longer God and we can no longer trust His love.

There must be a way to understand the issue of choice without putting God on trial.

First, we must understand the PURPOSE and MOTIVE of His choices. It is not primarily about destination – who goes to heaven and who goes to hell – but about the REASON for predestination.
So, for what purpose does God choose people?

Let’s allow the Apostle Paul to explain.

‭Romans 8:29 NIV‬
[29] “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Let got “questions.com” explain for us.

“The words translated “predestined” in the Scriptures referenced above are from the Greek word proorizo, which carries the meaning of “determining beforehand,” “ordaining,” “deciding ahead of time.” So, predestination is God determining certain things to occur ahead of time. What did God determine ahead of time? According to Romans 8:29-30, God predetermined that certain individuals would be conformed to the likeness of His Son, be called, justified, and glorified. Numerous scriptures refer to believers in Christ being chosen (Matthew 24:22, 31; Mark 13:20, 27; Romans 8:33, 9:11, 11:5-7, 28; Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 3:12; 1 Thessalonians 1:4; 1 Timothy 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:10; Titus 1:1; 1 Peter 1:1-2, 2:9; 2 Peter 1:10). Predestination is the biblical doctrine that God in His sovereignty chooses certain individuals to be saved.

“Predestination is an explicitly biblical doctrine. Yet the determination of predestination is not disconnected from the rest of God’s unchanging character (Malachi 3:6). It is connected to His foreknowledge (Romans 8:29, 11:2), His love (Ephesians 1:4-5), and His plan and pleasure (Ephesians 1:5). God’s desire is that all would be saved and come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9). Predestination is personal and relational, not capricious.

“The most common objection to the doctrine of predestination is that it is unfair. Why would God choose certain individuals and not others? We must remember that no one deserves to be saved. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23) and are all worthy of eternal punishment (Romans 6:23). As a result, God would be perfectly just in allowing all of us to spend eternity in hell. However, God chooses to save some of us. He is not being unfair to those who are not chosen, because they are receiving what they deserve. God’s choosing to be gracious to some is not unfair to the others. No one deserves anything from God; therefore, no one can object if he does not receive anything from God.

An illustration would be a man randomly handing out money to five people in a crowd of twenty. Would the fifteen people who did not receive money be upset? Probably so. Do they have a right to be upset? No, they do not. Why? Because the man did not owe anyone money. He simply decided to be gracious to some.

“If God is choosing who is saved, doesn’t that undermine our free will to choose and believe in Christ? The Bible says that we have the choice—all who believe in Jesus Christ will be saved (John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10). The Bible never describes God rejecting anyone who believes in Him or turning away anyone who is seeking Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). The truths of God’s sovereign predestination and also man’s responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Somehow, in the mystery of God, predestination works hand-in-hand with a person being drawn by God (John 6:44) and believing unto salvation (Romans 1:16). God predestines who will be saved, and we must choose Christ in order to be saved. Both facts are equally true. Romans 11:33 proclaims, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
(Copied from gotquestion.com, article entitled “What is predestination?”)

What is foreknowledge?

Once more, we look to the Bible to explain itself.

“Foreknowledge is knowing things or events before they exist or happen. In Greek, the term for “foreknowledge” is prognosis, which expresses the idea of knowing reality before it is real and events before they occur. In Christian theology, foreknowledge refers to the all-knowing, omniscient nature of God whereby He knows reality before it is real, all things and events before they happen, and all people before they exist…. “

“The Bible teaches that God’s children were chosen beforehand, and God’s foreknowledge was involved. The elect are those “who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father” (1 Peter 1:2). “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29).

However…

“The foreknowledge of God is farther than His ability to “see the future”; His foreknowledge is a true “knowing” of what will come to pass, based on His free choice. He decrees what will come to pass. In other words, foreknowledge is not just intellectual; it is personal and relational.”
(gotquestion.com, article entited “What is foreknowledge in the Bible?”)

What the Bible is saying, then, is that
God chose people to be conformed to the image of Jesus because it gave Him pleasure to do so. He also chose them, called them, and conformed them to the image of Jesus because He knew and decided it would happen before it happened.

‭Ephesians 1:11 NLT‬
[11] “Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makesp everything work out according to his plan.”

God’s foreknowledge and predestination is reason, then, not to complain but to celebrate as a revelation of His mercy and grace.

THESE WERE WRITTEN – 30

Bible Study, ,

John 20:30 – 31 NLT‬
[30] “The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. [31] But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name.”

In no other gospel but John’s did the writer state so clearly the purpose of his book. One of John’s themes was “believe”, recording some of the miracles Jesus did that led people to believe in Him.

Jesus’ miracles were not primarily intended to produce faith. We know from Scripture that even God’s own people did not trust Him despite His miracles. The religious leaders in Jesus’ day rejected Him in the face of the overwhelming evidence of what He did. They repeadedly demanded signs to prove His claims but they refused to believe the many obvious signs to His deity.

So, what, then, was the purpose of His miracles? In John’s final words, he remarks that all the books in the world could not contain all the miracles Jesus did!

‭John 21:25 NLT‬
[25] “Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written.”

Now that’s a very bold statement! John was probably attempting to convey the magnitude of the demonstration of His miracle power during the time of His earthly life. Why did He do miracles? He was certainly not trying to create a sensation or to win a popularity contest. Quite the opposite! He often tried to escape the attention of people who clamoured after Him for miracles.

However, if His miracles were not intended to produce faith, what was their purpose apart from helping suffering people in their distress or even overriding nature like storms and water? Miracles certainly demonstrated His compassion for people in distress but… there was no way He could heal everyone who was sick or disabled.

John points us in the right direction. The miracles Jesus did were evidence that He is who He claimed to be… the Messiah, the Son of God. You see, faith in Jesus because of miracles does not save us. Faith in Jesus because He is who He is, the Son of God, is the bedrock of our salvation.

Our faith in Jesus, unlike the attitude of many who try to use Him for their own ends, is a commitment to Jesus as our Lord, our supreme authority, who rules in every detail of our lives. We submit unconditionally to Him, believing in His right to rule over us because He made us and because He bought us with His own blood.

This perspective is what puts Jesus in His rightful place. Miracles fit into God’s greater purpose to recreate us in the image of Jesus. If He chooses to intervene miraculously in our circumstances, it is His will that
overrides our desires, always working for our good in all things, good or bad, to hone our unwavering confidence in Him.

Unfortunately, this truth that miracles are signs, not reasons for faith in Jesus, is what exposes so much deception behind the “healing campaign” ministry that attracts many unsuspecting people today. “Come and get your healing!” they proclaim, as though healing is the be-all and end-all of who Jesus is – a servant who waits on us when we need Him, and nothing more.

If Jesus’ miracles do not lead us to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then they have not served their purpose. Saving faith, producing new birth and miraculous transformation by the power of the Holy Spirit, comes through faith in Him and issues in what Jesus called “life”.

Life is, for God’s people, a new dimension. We have been transferred from “death” to “life”, from the death zone where Satan dominated and drove us to live by the dictates of our old sinful nature. Our sinful way of life proved that we were spiritually dead and under God’s judgment.

“But now…” we have life if we believe in Jesus. Our union with Him passes His life into us like branches in a vine, producing the fruit of that life, His own nature at work in us. This is a miracle but it is the fruit, not the root of faith.

So, let’s put Jesus’ miracles in their correct perspective. Miracles are the witness that Jesus is God’s Son, and we believe in Him, unconditionally, to be to us….

‭Hebrews 12:2b NLT‬
[2] “… the champion who initiates and perfects our faith….”

We believe in Him, not because of His miracles but because His miracles convince us that He is who He is, the Messiah, the Son of God.

‭1 John 5:11-12 NLT‬
[11] “And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.”

“MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS” – 29

Bible Study, ,

John 21:18-20 NLT‬
[18] “I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” [19] Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.” [20] Peter turned around and saw behind them the disciple Jesus loved—the one who had leaned over to Jesus during supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?”‭
[21] Peter asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”
[22] Jesus replied, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

Why did John include this little exchange betwee Peter and Jesus? Was it the final bit of competition between Peter and John rearing its ugly head before Pentecost?

Jesus showed us, in His magnificent high priestly prayer, how priceless unity between His followers was to Him. He paid with His blood to bring warring humans together in a new bond of love. Jew and Gentile, implacable enemies even under the Old Covenant, unified into one body, one species, bound together by the power of the Holy Spirit to love one another as Jesus loved them.

However, the Holy Spirit was yet to come, and Jesus’ disciples were yet to experience His transforming power through His indwelling presence. The Spirit would deal with their petty quarrelling and competition once for all when He came.

Until then, Jesus was fed up with the selfish, competitive attitude that poked its head out through Peter’s words. His sharp rebuke, “Mind your own business, Peter!” would ring in Peter’s ears every time he was tempted to elevate himself above others.

Spiritual competitiveness is still rife in the church today, a sign that the flesh still dominates and muddies relationships in Jesus’ body. Paul had to deal with this same carnal behaviour in the Corinthian church.

‭1 Corinthians 1:10 NLT‬
[10]”I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

‭‭1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NLT‬
[1] “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. [2] I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, [3] for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? [4] When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?”

The competitive spirit still reigns where church leaders elevate themselves above others by claiming functions and titles which give them “authority” over fellow believers, not sanctioned in Scripture. This is not evidence of the Holy Spirit’s activity but rather the absence of His leading in these situations.

Our role in relationships is to protect love and preserve unity by ruthlessly killing the flesh through our obedience to the Spirit.

‭Romans 8:12-14 NLT‬
[12] “Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. [13] For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. [14] For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”

Competitiveness of any kind is a work of the flesh, causing division and quenching the Holy Spirit’s work in Christ’s body. God’s solution, through Paul, is imperative.

‭Ephesians 4:11-16 NLT‬
[11]” Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. [12] Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. [13] This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. [14] Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. [15] Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [16] He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

So, when it comes to God’s doing in others, “Mind your own business!” As Owald Chambers wrote, in his book, “My Utmost for His Highest”, “No saint dare interfere in the discipline of suffering of another saint.”

What a way for the John to conclude his magnificent gospel! That’s the power of God at work in us, demolishing the flesh to recreate in us the image of Jesus.

LAST WORDS -26

Bible Study, ,

Matthew 27:50 NIV‬
[50] “And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.”

‭Luke 23:46 NIV‬
[46] “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

‭Mark 15:37 NIV‬
[37] “With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.”

John 19:30 NIV‬
[30] “When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

The last words of a dying soul… sometimes the most important words ever spoken by that person.

Jesus’ last words – two of the gospels record His words; all four record an unusual phenomenon. The last words of a dying person are usually whispered, hardly audible, like the last flicker of a dying flame. Sometimes the hearers are left with a mystery, the last cryptic sentence left incomplete as the last breath fails.

Not Jesus!

All four gospels declare that Jesus spoke audibly, even shouted out His last words. How is it possible for a man to shout, suspended from a wooden stake by nails in his hands and feet, and slowly dying from suffocation because he is too weak to lift his weight on mangled feet to breathe?

Jesus did it!

He had a message too important for the world to hear, to whisper or lose in His dying. Two profound sentences no one must miss!

“IT IS FINISHED” in Greek “tetelestai” an accounting term meaning “paid in full” …. Account closed…. Delete from the record! Whichever term conveys the truth that the debtor is no longer obligated to pay another cent because his debt has been fully paid, no need for instalments, obliterated from the record book… that’s what Jesus meant! Sin’s debt was fully paid by the one who had no debt of His own.

However, we can broaden the meaning of “tetelestai” to include every detail of what Jesus finished when He died in the cross.

God’s wrath against sin and sinners – finished!
Sin’s debt – finished!
Fogiveness achieved – finished!
God’s perfect nature, mercy, shown to sinners – finished!
Jew and Gentile reconciled – finished!
Gentiles brought near by the blood of Christ – finished!
God’s plan of salvation – finished!
Sinners transformed by faith through grace, into His image – finished!
Transferred from darkness to light, Satan to God – finished!
The righteousness of God revealed – finished!
All God’s promises made available to believers – finished!
The law as a way of salvation – finished!
The Holy Spirit poured out – finished!
Heaven opened – finished!
Access to the Father – finished!
Surrounded by God’s love and favour – finished!

And so much more! The cross was Jesus’ last word on sin.

His second utterance, recorded by Luke, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit,” open our understanding to another facet of Jesus’ death… resurrection!

His death, without the resurrection, would have left us with two unthinkable conclusions,

  1. That Jesus’ sacrifice was ineffective because He was an imperfect lamb,

‭Hebrews 10:11 NLT‬
[11] “Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins.”

But…

‭Hebrews 10:14 NLT‬
[14] “For by that one offering he (Jesus) forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”

‭Hebrews 9:14 NLT‬
[14] “Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.”

  1. That we have no hope of eternal life,…

1 Corinthians 15:14 NIV‬
[14]”And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…
[17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins…
[19] If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied…. “

But…

‭1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV‬
[20]”…Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…
[22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive… [23] But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”

Jesus became the firstfruits offering by His death. Let me explain.

‭Under the Old Covenant, the firstfruits of the harvest and the firstborn of the flocks and herds belonged to God. The first portion of the harvest had to be offered to God as a” “terumah” – a firstfruits offering. Firstborn animals were sacrificed or bought back by paying a price. Firstborn sons were bought back for a price.

The terumah offering guaranteed God’s blessing on the full harvest.

‭Proverbs 3:9-10 NIV‬
[9] Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; [10] then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”

The ritual of the terumah was to lift it up as a wave or heave offering and then place it in the hands of the high priest. It was to be God’s provision for the high priest and his family.

Jesus became the terumah offering by fulfilling the ritual of being lifted up…

‭John 3:14-15 NIV‬
[14] “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, [15] that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

‭John 12:32 NIV‬
[32] And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

… And placing Himself in the hands of the Father.

‭Luke 23:46 NIV‬
[46] “Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.”

So, Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the terumah, spoke His last word on death, and guaranteed the full harvest of the resurrection.

‭1 Corinthians 15:20-23 NIV‬
[20] “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. [22] For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. [23] But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him.”

How significant, then, were Jesus’ last words, sealing, by His death and resurrection, the destiny of all who believe in Him!

Hebrews 9:26b-28 NIV‬
[26]… “But he has appeared once for all at the culmination of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. [27] Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, [28] so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

DO YOU LOVE ME? – 28

Bible Study, ,

John 21:15-17 NLT‬
[15] “After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. [16] Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. [17] A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

What do you do when someone you love fails you? Cut him out of your life? Ostracised her? Send him to “rehabilitation Siberia”? Put her on probation? Demand repentance and an apology?

Do these methods work?

The first thing that failure does is to destroy trust. How does one rebuild trust? How does one forgive an act of betrayal? What if it happens again?

It all seems so complicated and so futile. What was done was done and no one can turn the clock back. So, where do we go from here? How can we repair the damage? Do we want to repair the damage?

Jesus had a revolutionary and effective way of taking care of this situation. Peter had denied knowing Him… three times…with oaths and curses…in front of a group of people…and Jesus heard him.

Jesus bypassed all our methods of dealing with this kind of pain. First, He made Peter feel the heat of the moment all over again. Early morning in the beach! Remember, Peter? Early morning in the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house, dawn breaking, sun coming up, Jesus over there, listening? Can you feel it, Peter? On the beach, dawn breaking, sun coming up, Jesus over there?

Gharcoal fire, Peter, cold morning, warming your hands. Remember, Peter? Can you feel it, Peter?

Hot tears run down Peter’s cheeks. The flashbacks! How can he forget?

Not a word about it at breakfast. Peter almost chokes over his bread and fish. “I just wish He’d say something!”

A quiet word, “Come with me, Simon.” Why Simon? “Because I’m talking to the old Simon.” An intent gaze into Simon’s eyes and then, here it comes!

“Simon son of John, do you love me?”

What! Not a word of rebuke, not an angry accusation! Just a gentle question. So unexpected. So deflating. Is that all you have to say? But so effective! Not, “Look what you did to me.” but “Look what you did to yourself!”

Have you noticed how Jesus never ever, focused on His own feelings, His own suffering in tough situations? Even at the height of His agony, He was concerned about others. So, now too, it was Peter on His mind. A blunt, straightforward question, ignoring motives, attitudes, purposes, getting to the the heart of the matter. In the heat of the moment, Peter’s love for Jesus got run over by his urge to preserve hinself. Self-preservation became priority. Fear gave love a knockout blow. It was time to put his love for Jesus back into perspective.

Although love seems a weak reason for guarding against fear, love is the powerful protector of all relationships. Think of it! It’s love for a husband, wife, child, friend, that overrides fear and gives one courage to act in a time of crisis, ignoring one’s own feelings or safety for the sake of the other .

This love motivated Jesus to endure the cross.

Peter’s love for Jesus failed at the crucial moment, too fragile to endure personal threat. Isn’t this the crux of the battle between flesh and Spirit? Love against fear! Isn’t it love that empowered the Spirit-filled apostles to endure even to violent death for Jesus’ sake.

When love for Jesus is rekindled, even after gross failure, and energised by God’s Spirit, there is no need for accusation, recrimination, or even rehabilitation. Love’s steady flame will burn through every reason to doubt, every qualm about trusting Him, and every threat to personal freedom and safety.

Love for Jesus will protect us from failing to love others at our expense.

‭John 13:34 NLT‬
[34] “So, now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

John 14:21 NLT‬
[21] “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

As always, Jesus got it right. When we fail Jesus or others by denial or betrayal, check the love thermometer. Is it hot or cold? There is no value in lukewarmness.

‭Revelation 3:15-16 NLT‬
[15] “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! [16] But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”

‭1 John 4:16-18 NLT‬
[16] “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. [17] And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. [18] Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.”

What a beautiful solution to a sticky problem! How do we overcome our cowardly attitude when self is threatened? How do we deal with our or another’s failure to protect love?

Back to basics! Gaze at the Father; gaze at Jesus!

‭1 John 4:10 NLT‬
[10] “This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”

‭1 John 4:19 NLT‬
[19] “We love (Him, each other) because he loved us first.”

Only God’s love for us makes it possible for us to love Him and to love one another…and this love, through the Holy Spirit, protects us from fear. We focus on Him under threat. And “love never fails.”

When we look at Jesus and love Him because He loved us first, we can get on with feeding, caring for, and protecting His sheep without fear. His live with keep us loyal to Him to the end. It did for Peter!