“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Jn.15:15.

     A friend is someone who is emotionally close to our heart. In the case of Jesus Christ the bond between Himself and the believing Christian draws a depth of love that can only come from above. His Love in the soul brings a calm reconciliation between us and GOD. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil.4:7.

     But there is an active antagonist in the relationship between Jesus and the believing Christian. Next to the temptations of devils that we all feel their brunt every day, it is our sinful nature that the devils use that will continue to deceive, tempt and annoy until glory comes. Everything about our natural disposition “is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” This enmity can only be overcome through the union of Christ’s overruling power with a willing heart. And through faith, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” And our growth in character is solely due to His abiding presence: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” Tit.3:5.

     The forgiveness of GOD through Jesus Christ, Whose sacrifice has covered our many sins against the dignity of life, is the supreme gift heaven offers to every man. But forgiveness has an antonym: anger. Anger is an emotional impetus. It can lead in a courageous course or a destructive course. Its destructive side is like an acid that eats away everything it touches. We all hold anger. This strong emotion is a part of life. The Bible addresses it, calling us to temper its harmful side: “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” Eph.4:26. To have anger is a legitimate right we have in a sinful world. Man’s constant abuse of life’s dignity demands it. The greatest key we have in its temperance is through knowledge and understanding. There is great liberty to be found through understanding. Solomon addressed this: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Prov.4:7. Through “understanding” the saints overcome sin and all the snares surrounding it. The LORD admonishes us in this: “Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” Isa.1:17. The Bible addresses every ethical boundary that if men in and out of the church would give honor to them all of man’s abuse of life would go away.

     But there is one who sees to it that this will never be in this present world. Jesus gave many lessons on the subject of Satan’s jurisdiction over the lives of men and how we are to be vigilant to keep our guard up concerning his manipulations through temptations, impulse and false ideas. So incapable are we to stand against Satan’s sophistries that when Jesus taught His disciples every principle of the coming kingdom “they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.” Lu.2:50. Christ’s Words could not reach the marrow of their bones until after the resurrection and ascension of Christ, who, at that time the Father sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Of that great illuminating time for the fallen race Jesus said, “He shall guide you into all truth.” Jn.16:13. Through the presence of the "Comforter" Who continually refines our character through our daily communion and the vigilant prayerful study of GOD'S Word can a man be fit for godly perfection as Paul admonished: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God…that the man of God may be perfect…” II Tim.3:16. This perfection must be reached by the last generation of Christians who are to face the final threat that ushers the 2nd Advent of Jesus Christ.

     And yet, Biblical illiteracy threatens the salvation of all. This danger is repeatedly affirmed in GOD'S word: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death," "for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat." Hos.4:6; Prov.16:25; Matt.7:13. And yet, the remedy to this illiteracy is well within the reach of all, as it is written, "Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail." Isa.34:16.

     The pride of man is the leading reason for the illiteracy. The church is famous for putting a bitter taste in people’s mouths for the salvation through Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. The common presentation of the dominant churches is the antithesis of the truth and spirit of the Bible. This pride and slander causes the bitter fruits of so much needless suffering and loss of life for “the kingdom of heaven.” This is a lesson that is so common to the ruin of men, and yet most are blind to the threat, falsely assuring themselves that they are on safe ground. The Savior addressed this great danger in the churches of today, "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked." Rev.3:17. The key words here are “knowest not.”

     The fact remains that man in and of his own strength is incapable of mustering forgiveness, humility or righteousness. It must be drawn from us as the LORD gave utterance: “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee,” “for without me ye can do nothing.” Jer.31:3; Jn.15:5. This is illustrative of the great need of the Presence of GOD through the power of the Holy Spirit. To embrace the gift of GOD’S forgiveness establishes a heart-felt humility. This allows any man into the presence of Holiness as the Saviour said: “him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” Jn.6:37. This willingness to make ourselves vulnerable and pliable before the teachings of GOD’S Inviolate Word will never be betrayed by GOD. None who have cried to Him have ever cried in vain.” Ps.107:6,13,19,28.

     Peter learned this profound lesson of forgiveness, which drew from him a humility that would carry throughout the rest of his life. There was a time when he had promised to Jesus with absolute confidence that he would not abandon Him no matter what obstacles stood in his way, as he said: “LORD, I am ready to go with thee, both to prison, and to death.” “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” Lu.22:33; Matt.26:35. Peter believed this to be true about himself. But Peter did not understand the flaws of his character, nor the power of sin over his character. And this assurance he extended to his LORD was merely a rope of sand, because Peter did abandon Jesus in the time of His betrayal, torture, and crucifixion as Jesus foretold him that he would. Peter's faith in Christ was not fortified to meet the test and he dishonored the very One he promised to honor by publicly denying Jesus as his LORD three times, with profanity.

     But Jesus prayed for Peter, that his faith would not be swept away and his eternal ruin result from that failure. The Father in heaven answered the prayer of Jesus for Peter at the very moment Peter denied his "Master" for the third time (at the place where Jesus was being held prisoner after His arrest). In the book of Luke, chapter 21, we read, "And the LORD turned and looked upon Peter." At the very moment of Peter's third denial of Christ he turned and saw Jesus beholding him. Their eyes locked! Peter focused on the face of his Master. When Peter saw that look in Jesus’ eyes, the tender expression of His face, that quiet, merciful countenance showing to Peter the holy depths of unreserved love and forgiveness the Bible says, "And Peter went out and wept bitterly." The look that Jesus gave to His beloved disciple was not that of condemnation, anger, or frustration, but one of immeasurable compassion.

     Peter’s denial had brought him to the place where he was most vulnerable to his own destruction; for the waves of guilt were about to flood the soul of Peter in which suicide would seem the only remedy. But Christ would never betray Peter's vulnerability just as it was written of the Christ of GOD centuries before His coming: "A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice and truth."
The sweet expression on Christ’s face melted Peter’s heart, and he left and wept in repentance over his inability to stand shoulder to shoulder with the one he dearly loved. Christ's love covered Peter’s guilt, nakedness, and shame. This moment of deliverance was to reign over Peter’s character until the day he died. Peter now understood true love because he had seen the true glory of the LORD, and His glory “is love.” I Jn.4:8.

     But right after that moment of the Savior's expression of love to the wounded soul of Peter the Bible says, "And the men that held Jesus mocked Him, and smote Him. And when they had blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face, and asked Him saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?" This was Satan’s retribution through his pawns among men for the Savior's mercy to His beloved Apostle Peter. Nevertheless the Saviour’s fate on Earth was set. Crucifixion at the hands of Romans and Jews was to be His lot.

     And so, here we are today, and hatred is filling the Earth with woe. And the Christian is called to a higher calling: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” Heb.12:14.