- John 13:21-33, 36-38
Peter cannot even allow for the possibility that he would let the lord down. Yet, he's only a few hours away from doing exactly what he said he wouldn't do.
You've done things "You'd never do." How does that happen? what do you do about it?
First you need to acknowledge it. Paul did ... not only to himself, but publicly: "For I do not do the good I want, but I do the evil I do not want." (Romans 7:19) You have to come to terms with this: On your won, you are unable to live up to the person you were made to be.
But you weren't made to go it alone. You were made for union with God - not just when you die, but right now. God's grace isn't an add-on. You were made for this. You're built that way - built to rise to a level that goes beyond human instincts.
You are also free. Which means that you have to open yourself up freely to God's grace and its effects.
Why is it to hard to open yourself to God's grace? It's because it is a humbling thing to do - humbling in the sen that you have to admit that you want to be someone you can't be on your own.
Whom do you talk to about your struggle to be open to God's grace? After all, enabling you to be the person you were created to be is the whole reason why Jesus became one of us.
- Little Black Book, Diocese of Saginaw