A Faith That Does Not Fail

No one can say God tempted him or her to do evil. The Bible is clear on that point. James 1:13 declares, “God cannot be tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone.” Instead temptation usually comes out of one’s own evil desires just as James 1:14–15 explains. After temptation comes sin and after sin, spiritual death. 

But there are times of testing. These tests may not originate with God but they evidently come with God’s permission. 

In the last private conversations Jesus had with Peter prior to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told Peter that Satan had asked permission to “sift you as wheat” (Luke 22:31). The English language does not adequately convey the meaning of the text because the “you” of verse 31 is plural in the Greek. Satan was not after Peter alone. All the disciples were to be “sifted as wheat” as their faith was tested by the circumstances about to unfold. 

Just as the nourishing kernel of grain is separated from the husk by sifting, so times of testing in the believer’s life helps to separate the good from the bad, the genuine from the false. The apostle Paul reminded readers that God works in all things to bring about good to those who love Him (Rom. 8:28). That includes times of testing.

Satan is always limited

Satan was not free to “sift” the faith of the disciples by his own initiative. Satan had to ask permission just as Satan had to have permission to “sift” the faith of Job in the Old Testament. Satan and evil are never the supreme powers of the universe. The dualistic idea of a good God competing with an evil god on equal footing is not supported by Scripture. Satan is always limited by the power of the One and Only True God. 

Jesus’ message to Peter was more than the bad news of testing. Jesus said to Peter, “But I have prayed for you” (Luke 22:32). This time the “you” is singular in the original language. In this private conversation with Peter, Jesus assured Peter that he was not alone. Jesus was Peter’s advocate even in the midst of testing. 

On one side was the “sifting” request of Satan. On the other side was the prayer of Jesus. During His earthly life Jesus was the advocate for the disciples and other believers. He still is. The Bible says Jesus now sits at the right hand of God making intercession for all who believe in His name. That includes each of us.

In 2 Corinthians 5:19 the Bible teaches that “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” And Jesus was praying for Peter as Peter faced a time of “sifting.” God did not abandon Peter in his hour of need and God does not abandon us in our weaknesses and failures. He is always our advocate. He is always interceding for us.

Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. Jesus prayed for a faith that would help Peter publicly identify with Jesus even when it could be costly. So many claim faith in our Lord when it is popular to do so. But what about when the teachings of Christ are contrary to popular culture, when the ethics of the gospel differ with politically correct practices? What happens then?

Would Peter, would we, be willing to accept the reproach and physical costs associated with faith in Jesus? 

On the fateful night of Jesus’ arrest and trials Peter intended good. He courageously followed Jesus into the High Priest’s own courtyard but there his courage failed. Keeping company around a fire with those who scoffed at Christ sapped his spiritual strength. Before the evening was over Peter denied he ever knew Jesus. 

How much better it would have been had Peter wept alone in the dark cold of a Jerusalem night than to be drawn into sin around the fire of unbelievers. That is an important lesson to learn as the distinction between biblical Christianity and American culture becomes more obvious. Even in Alabama the temptation is to wink at sin, to choose the lesser of evils. 

As one commentator observed, “Those who warm themselves with evil doers grow cold toward good people and good things.” Like Peter, their faith fails.

There was a second part to Jesus’ prayer. He prayed, “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Jesus knew Peter’s faith would fail. Jesus told him it would. But that did not mean Jesus would turn His back on Peter as Peter would turn his back on Jesus. 

Though Peter failed, he was not cast away and neither are we. Christ cares for those who are His despite their failure and sins. 

“When you have turned back,” Jesus prayed. Even before the failure, Jesus offered the hope of return. Peter could repent of his sin. Repentance means to “turn around” or “change directions.” Peter had to turn back to Jesus and away from his denial. He could not pretend that nothing happened. No one can. Sin must be acknowledged before change can take place.

“Strengthen your brothers,” the prayer concluded. Though not publicly rejected for his sin, Peter was personally changed. No longer could he boast about his personal strength and faith. He knew what it was like to fail. More importantly he knew what it was like to be forgiven. 

Peter became a “rock” of faith. Before a jeering crowd at Pentecost he preached Jesus as the Son of God. Before the Sanhedrin he said he must “obey God rather than man.” Peter’s faith encouraged fellow disciples and Christian believers across the known world. Finally Peter paid a price for his public commitment to Christ. He was crucified upside down on a Roman cross. Tradition says he asked to be crucified upside down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. 

God will not let us go

In some parts of the world Christians still die for publicly believing in Jesus. Our testing and temptation in the United States are not as severe. Still it is good to know we have an advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1) working for our good, an advocate who will not let us go. With the help of God’s presence through the Holy Spirit we too can have a faith that does not fail no matter what the cost.