Reflection # 1
Pick at least three of these statements below. And for each statement that you choose, explain what Watchman Nee meant by it, and give your comment on how it may or may not pertain to you (either now or in the future):
a. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
A. "He mistook himself for the man he desired to be."
Watchman Nee's observation of Peter's overconfidence is best described by this statement. This might be a common flaw for many Christian servants. Our emotions lead us to serving and our emotions sustain our service. And when the time comes that we encounter major roadblocks our way, we stumble and lose our desire to serve. And like Peter, we finally see that we are not the servants that we view ourselves to be.
C. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
Related to Statement A, our emotions toward servanthood can be what propels us to serve others. And I think Watchman Nee warns us of the dangers of letting our emotions lead the way. After reading this chapter, I'm more affirmed that consistent dialogue with the Lord, intense discernment, and sensitivity to the proddings of the Holy Spirit, are ways that can allow us to be founded in God's grace and not in what we currently feel.
D. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
I relate this statement to "getting married". A happy marriage isn't reliant on our personal desire for our partner. But a good stable marriage is founded on commitment and communication. Servanthood, for me, also relies on our personal prayer time with God and with unshakable faith.
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
It is pitiful if you put your trust or belief in a lie, just like the man who built his house on sand... acting or believing in a lie means having a poor foundation. How sad (pitiful) it will be once you realize the thing/ thought you based your life upon turns out to be a lie.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
Faith alone (desire) is lacking to measure our ability to follow the Lord. Anything measured needs a tangible, observable moment. We need to act on our desire in order for it to be measurable. Faith needs to be accompanied by good works in order to be measured.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
In order to receive, we must be open, be grateful and allow ourselves to receive it. Have you tried getting sand or anything for that matter with closed fists? Us being us, there are times we decide not to take the path set before us, whether willingly or unwillingly.
“It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
A lie is always a lie no matter what color it is. A man who lies for a living or for his personal gain usually use it without believing his lies. If he does believe in it, he would do it with or without the equivalent reward or “kahit walang kapalit, maniniwala ako”. That is the reason why it is a pitiful thing because it could cost him his livelihood, his being and his life.
My personal take on this is continuous discernment on God’s words and direction. When I hear the Lord during my prayer time and daily life situations, I need to be sure that it is from the Lord and not me. Aside from my own interpretation, I should also seek a co-discerner especially in life changing circumstances.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The Lord is the source of one’s ability. We may have all the desires in the world but if we do not involve the Lord then it will not last. To follow the Lord I need to rely on Him and not on my own understanding and abilities. Another insight is that desire for me is mostly emotions-based. It might lead me to betray God by desiring myself more (without me knowing it) and less of God.
“It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
People are created by God and given free will by Him. We can choose not to follow his divine purpose through inaction, procrastination and performing the opposite towards another direction.
One factor that may lead me to this is FEAR of the divine revelation. If it is about pulling me out of my comfort zone or it would negatively affect my family for a long time, then it is time to put my guards up and think of so many reasons just to avoid His purpose. In these situations, FAITH and OBEDIENCE must come in. I need to be always ready to listen and follow Him.
- “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- I think Watchman Nee is suggesting that Peter desires to become a certain type of person (someone who will not deny Jesus), but he mistakenly believes that he already is that type of person (without actually putting in the necessary effort). He was not yet the kind of man he thought he was. I'd like to believe that this not pertain to me. I know I am a work in progress, imperfect and still need a lot of pruning and growing to become the kind of man I desire to be.
- “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
- The statement suggests that while telling a lie is a morally unacceptable act, believing a lie is pitiful because it involves deception that and can possibly lead to harmful consequences. Basically emphasizing the importance of what is true and the the harmful effects of lies, whether by others or by oneself.
- “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
- I think Watchman Nee means that our willingness to follow the Lord isn't solely determined by our desire to do so. Instead, it implies that our actions and behavior are the true indicators of our ability to follow Him. In other words, it's not just about wanting to follow the Lord, but also about actually living according to His teachings and principles.
It is not enough that I desire to follow the Lord, I need to act accordingly.
- I think Watchman Nee means that our willingness to follow the Lord isn't solely determined by our desire to do so. Instead, it implies that our actions and behavior are the true indicators of our ability to follow Him. In other words, it's not just about wanting to follow the Lord, but also about actually living according to His teachings and principles.
- “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
With Peter’s all out confidence in his commitment and passion as a follower of Christ, it seemed to be an unbreakable calling for a person who uttered the words “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” But Wathcman Nee showed that Peter broke. Parang ako. Parang hindi rin ako. Parang ako refers to the moment I said yes to the Lord almost 20 years ago after years of relying on my own without any religion. Parang hindi ako because even if I believed in the Lord for the first time in my life, my confidence in falling back to the old ways was weak and untested.
- “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Watchman Nee listed the significant times Peter experienced a seesaw of emotions from sublime heights of spiritual experience and drop to perilous depths. This can be true of us servants especially when we experience personal challenges that we will need to depend on others for prayers. Or when an unfamiliar service is entrusted to you and the familiar question of “why me” will not cut it. I am guilty of a shaky faith when given roles that I fear will disappoint the Lord. Minsan naghihiwalay ang tiwala ko kay Lord kapag may ipinagkatiwala sa aking hindi ako pamilyar o hindi ko gusto.
- “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
Watchman Nee warns us of the highs we experience in relating with the Lord and to be understanding of its use for our drive to serve Him. I have fairly guarded myself of “victorious moments” over the years when commended of leading a good event, prayer meeting, worship. Or being on point with advises to young brothers. Nakakalaki pa rin kasi ng ulo kahit isa ka ng Kristiyano.
a. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
This statement I feel explains that Peter thought much bigger than he actually was. That his faith and love of Jesus was unshakable.
It is so difficult for me to read this topic bec I cannot, with absolutely certainty, compare myself with Peter’s faith, even at that early stage. Embarrassing as it is, despite being called a senior leader, I question myself about how strong my faith and love of the Lord is. I have experienced the grace of Lord in my life and seen his work with others, yet I still am not confident to be tested of my faith. In that manner, at this time, I do not see myself with greater faith than I actually have. I feel that as I gradually grow in faith, that gradual growth will hopefully also temper my thoughts of where I am in my faith.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Similarly means that we may be fooled by our thoughts that our faith is so strong when in fact it is otherwise. Many times, by just imagining myself in situations that other people face and I ask myself what I would do in that situation, I’m made to realize how weak my faith is and how much I need to rely on His grace to increase my faith.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to fo
Our desire does not equal our action. My understanding is that we have to deliver with what we promise.
Unfortunately at times, I may not even try given my fear of not being able to deliver.
Quote from Jordan Echague on February 9, 2024, 5:37 pmA. "He mistook himself for the man he desired to be."
Watchman Nee's observation of Peter's overconfidence is best described by this statement. This might be a common flaw for many Christian servants. Our emotions lead us to serving and our emotions sustain our service. And when the time comes that we encounter major roadblocks our way, we stumble and lose our desire to serve. And like Peter, we finally see that we are not the servants that we view ourselves to be.
C. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
Related to Statement A, our emotions toward servanthood can be what propels us to serve others. And I think Watchman Nee warns us of the dangers of letting our emotions lead the way. After reading this chapter, I'm more affirmed that consistent dialogue with the Lord, intense discernment, and sensitivity to the proddings of the Holy Spirit, are ways that can allow us to be founded in God's grace and not in what we currently feel.
D. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
I relate this statement to "getting married". A happy marriage isn't reliant on our personal desire for our partner. But a good stable marriage is founded on commitment and communication. Servanthood, for me, also relies on our personal prayer time with God and with unshakable faith.
Thank you Jordan for your reflection.
Knowing to some degree your conversion story from your past sharing, makes me understand the enviable fire in your heart. Your desire to follow Christ and do His work is admirable. Your experience has led you to have the burning courage to pursue His goals for you.
In my personal reflection, I have shared about pausing for prayer and contemplation. Peter, as I understood him, was a fired up person, a man of action. Eager, decided and a go getter. This was his personality and maybe he felt even bigger when he was honored to be called “rock”. As with Peter, sometimes we hear what we want to hear and refuse the message that is not in line with OUR plans for God. For me, that is the time to pause. I particularly like your call for “consistent dialogue with the Lord, intense discernment, and sensitivity to the proddings of the Holy Spirit”. I agree that in this way, we can achieve HIS plans rather than our desires.
Once again, thank you for sharing your reflection and being the first to share.
Quote from Gary Bogarin on February 10, 2024, 4:59 pm
- “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- I think Watchman Nee is suggesting that Peter desires to become a certain type of person (someone who will not deny Jesus), but he mistakenly believes that he already is that type of person (without actually putting in the necessary effort). He was not yet the kind of man he thought he was. I'd like to believe that this not pertain to me. I know I am a work in progress, imperfect and still need a lot of pruning and growing to become the kind of man I desire to be.
- “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
- The statement suggests that while telling a lie is a morally unacceptable act, believing a lie is pitiful because it involves deception that and can possibly lead to harmful consequences. Basically emphasizing the importance of what is true and the the harmful effects of lies, whether by others or by oneself.
- “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
- I think Watchman Nee means that our willingness to follow the Lord isn't solely determined by our desire to do so. Instead, it implies that our actions and behavior are the true indicators of our ability to follow Him. In other words, it's not just about wanting to follow the Lord, but also about actually living according to His teachings and principles.
It is not enough that I desire to follow the Lord, I need to act accordingly.
Thanks Gary for sharing your reflection.
You and I acknowledge that we are both works in progress, imperfect, needing of pruning and further growth. I agree that it is not enough to desire the Lord but that we should strive to do the more difficult task of living according to his teachings and principles. I believe only with His grace can we achieve such way of life & faith.
All the best.
1 “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
* Peter genuinely loved the Lord but at times he was over confident, allowing his desires and feelings to take over – like many of us who follow the Lord, there are times when our over confidence takes over and we forget to first come to the Lord and seek his guidance and truly listen to Him.
2 “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
* We all desire to follow the Lord but our desire requires action too. Let our desire for the Lord show through the service that we are asked/tasked to do. That through this service, we are able to truly declare our love for the Lord and our brothers and sisters.
3 “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
* Quoting Neeman – “They are apt to speak and to act swiftly under the urge of a sudden impulse, but the impulse may not be a divine impulse. Many problems in the Lord’s work arise because of this radical defect in the lives of His servants; and because the trouble is radical, it calls for a radical correction.” I am not exempt from this, I have acted more often from my own opinion rather than stop and pause and ask what would Jesus do in the particular circumstance.
a. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
There were different instances, like when Neeman wrote: " sudden swing of the pendulum"; the repeated declarations that he would follow the Lord at all cost
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
I have gone through this experience, as we already know that lying is a sin but continued to live a life bargaining for it that is is okay since nobody knows .... the Lord knows!
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
This will be tiresome, especially when it is just for a show or acceptance. I do believe that the Lord, like how Peter experienced it, will cleanse the desire of an individual.
a. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
- Peter knows his capability as a human but he is caught off guard and unleashes the true character in him. This is probably due to pressure and panic. Oftentimes I encounter such a situation, that I tend to forget that first and foremost I am a servant of the Lord.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
- The emotions of Peter at this moment are very high and his love for Jesus is more than that he can imagine. What he believed at that moment was non-negotiable. I have encountered highness in spirit and love for God that no one can break what I believed in that particular situation.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose"
- This is a classic scene of humanity and divinity. I do believe in the approach of seeking God first and acting on your human instinct. I do not over-spiritualize, but I do seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in all that I do.
Quote from Gani Custodio on February 12, 2024, 9:00 pma. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
There were different instances, like when Neeman wrote: " sudden swing of the pendulum"; the repeated declarations that he would follow the Lord at all cost
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie, but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
I have gone through this experience, as we already know that lying is a sin but continued to live a life bargaining for it that is is okay since nobody knows .... the Lord knows!d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
This will be tiresome, especially when it is just for a show or acceptance. I do believe that the Lord, like how Peter experienced it, will cleanse the desire of an individual.Unfortunately as you have pointed out, despite knowing lying is a sin, we succumb to it and worse sometimes justify these lies. There are different degrees of lying but lying just the same. Fortunately being in community has made me more conscious and sensitive of this fact and hopefully has reduced my tendency to fall to it. I agree that if we pursue the Lord just for show, it will be tiresome and not sustainable. And yes, I would like to believe that the Holy Spirit is gently cleansing us.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.” - I hope that this won't apply to me but only God knows. I hope that what i have with God is not just a "sentimental attachment" but a pure desire to be with Him eternally. I always go back to where i started in following the Lord; how miserable my life was until the day that the Lord begun to put order in my life....just by remembering that, my heart would leap for gratitude towards Him...Papaano ko makakalimutan ang kabutihan ng Diyos sa aking buhay? Sana sa grasya ng Diyos, i will be able to remain in Him as He remains in me until the day He will call me back.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.” In one of my prayer times, i sensed that my desire to follow God is lacking because of my "inconsistent" behavior towards Him...mabait minsan pero mas madalas makalimot na maging mabuti. I just realized that my desire won't be enough to measure my ability to remain consistent with God....ang hirap talaga maging Kristiyano. Salamat sa Diyos at napakabuti Nya sa atin....malayo pa talaga.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.” - Oh Lord, have mercy on my soul. By Your Love, Mercy and Grace that i can only be saved. If only i can make Him decide for myself so that i won't put hindrance for His divine purpose. Kaawaan nawa ako ng Diyos.
I can be or i am maybe an example of this sentence....i may hear God's word but my whole being is a big hindrance for His divine purpose, through my service to others, the way i treat my neighbors, the way i treat myself and the way i treat God....am i doing all of it with the right purpose, which is to love?
He mistook himself for the man he desired to be
Who we actually are and who we think we are are not always the same. A self aware person knows exactly who he really is. In most cases, we either think too highly or too less of ourselves.
In my case, the bias is that I always think of myself as less than who I want to be. In the context of us being servants, I have the desire to serve and be of use to the Lord but I have this feeling of not being good enough. This actually hinders me from doing what I think the Lord wants me to do.
I think the reason why it is a challenge to be self aware is because the mirror I use is the world. I know the world will do everything to keep me in the world, to confuse me, to keep me away from Him. I can do a better job of knowing myself if I ask God who I really am. He has no agenda to deceive me either way. I need to know Him more, focus on Him more and He will show me who I really am.
“It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
You know how it is when you are in the middle of worship in one of our gatherings. Worship leader is so eloquent in his praising, a particular song that strikes a chord in you is being sung, the volume, the lights, everything is just right. You cant help but shout out how much you love Him. And yet when you hear Him during your prayer time, you donot do what He asks you to do.
This statement reminds me to be consistent. My love for the Lord should not be based any particular circumstance or condition or else this so called love is just a sentimental attachment. I know circumstances and conditions change. I should know better than to anchor my so called feelings for God on these things. I should not love God only when the right conditions present themselves. I should pray for the grace to love Him irregardless of the circumstance or the situation.
In a sense, if I would like my love for Him to be real and grow, I should abandon myself more to His will. To be comfortable in uncomfortable situations knowing that He is the one who placed me there, that He is there with me and that He will see me through.
“The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
If I equate my ability to follow the Lord is equal to my desire to follow Him, I will be doing very little following. Desiring to follow the Lord is a very good place to start but relying on desire or will can only get us so far. I have learned that on my own I cannot accomplish anything but with the grace He provides there is nothing I cannot do. By desiring, I actually open the door to let His grace come into my life. It is His grace that allows me to follow Him.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
Mr Nee was saying that our emotional reactions in loving God may not be pure or deep as we thought it to be. Its possible as we utterly express our love for he Lord, we think
we are the kind of people we are suppose to be.
Reaction :
This does not apply to me. I am on the other side of the pendulum, calculating and always humbling myself before the Lord. I feel, Im always afraid to commit mistakes. Did i do the right thing or not?. In my prayers , the Lord wants me to let go of too much calculation and be more courageous and confident in Him.
c. “It is a horrible thing to tell a lie; but it is a pitiful thing to believe a lie.”
Nee was saying that Peter in the outburst of His emotions believe in what he declared. He did not lie. But his emotions make him believe in a lie.
A prayer that the Lord taught me : "Lord I raise up my mind and my heart to you."
This prayer always prepare me to go beyond human thinking . Peter was concern about His Master going to Jerusalem. His emotions are so high because he was just honored by Jesus, and being impulsive to care for His Teacher, he uttered the wrong words. I know that putting our mind and heart to where Jesus wants to converse with us is easier said than done . But we just need to persevere to go beyond our emotions and trust in His Spirit.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
This statement is self explanatory. Like Peter , I can encounter and experience divine revelation. But I can also be a hindrance to Gods purpose. One example I can think is because I sought the Lord in Ligaya ng Panginoon commitment and service, I began to have more wisdom and knowledge in leading , in doing service and ministry. Through the years , I experience the Lord speaking to me our to our pastoral team. HOWEVER, there was a period in my life where I became legalistic.
I know better. I am more committed than that brother. Matagal na ko sa ligaya.
You know the story, this will manifest in the way I treat people and brothers and sisters. Instead of Love or looking with compassion, I had a tendency for example to look at others failure in their commitments. Hindi naman masama ang mag correct. BUT COMPASSION has to come first. Praise God for rescuing me to that kind of Pharisaic life.
1. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
It is normal to many Christians who are new to the faith or when difficult circumstances arise. I experienced this personally in many situations in life. The most recent was when we experienced two miscarriages and even to the point of thinking that we won't be able to conceive. It lead me to question God's being omnipotent. I was easily driven by my emotion and chose not to trust in the Lord as being all-powerful yet also all-knowing. After the second miscarriage, we decided to take a time off and it was this time that the Lord revealed to us that it is all part of a big plan. At that point we accepted to trust in the Lord whether we will be able to conceive or not. If we won't, then it was not God's plan for us. If we will, then we wholeheartedly welcome it.
2. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The desire to follow Him is indeed not the measure but is just an expression of acceptance. The true measure relies on how firm and how deep we are to the commitment that entails in following the Lord. This is not easy, as the way of the Lord leads us to obstacles that challenges our commitment to stay in the path. Being ready to be challenged is a skill that develops through time and experience. I think there is no easy path. It is by God's grace alone that we are able to prepare ourself and fully trust in the Lord and stay in the course.
3. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
In my personal experience, it seems like it becomes a natural response for me to pause when the circumstance ahead seems daunting. Forgetting that it is the Lord himself who revealed His plan for me. In this area, I believe I am still growing. There's so much for me to learn and mature in this area.
a. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
Watchman Nee may have implied that Peter “projected” his idealized character unto himself (without malice) instead of a more realistic assessment of his current state. This resonates with me very much as early in my discipleship journey, I thought that I would not fall for sexual temptations (having not fallen before my conversion). However, just over a year after, I fell and it took a number of years to repent and kick the habit. More than a decade of sobriety after, I became complacent that this was already a part of my past, only for me to fall again. Thus, I have to be cautious, but this should not be an excuse not to do what He wants me to do. I have to be continuously vigilant while also focusing on and trusting in the Lord to protect and give me strength each day.
b. “It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment.”
The author invites us to assess whether our love for the Lord is based solely on pleasant feelings or sentimental thoughts we tell ourselves (or even publicly profess). Granted that this could be a starting point (and on occasion, may also give us the drive to continue on or push further), our love should not remain or be anchored on an emotional or conceptual level but lived out in our decisions and actions. This made me appreciate our teachings on Emotions in the Christian Life, where we should master our emotions instead of the other way around. More importantly, community life invites us to go beyond prayer meeting emotional “highs” by supporting discipleship in all areas of our life – family, work, etc., where love of the Lord then becomes more tangible.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The author frames our “ability” to follow the Lord as much more than our “desire”. Again, I believe that having the desire is helpful but not the complete picture. Our ability is shaped by many other factors, such as sound teaching, formative experiences, and of course, grace from the Lord. Thus, in order to increase our ability to follow Him, we should be open to being formed by Him in a multi-faceted way (and our desire may also increase as a result).
a. “He mistook himself for the man he desired to be.”
Peter genuinely desires to love Jesus and follow Him unreservedly. But in the scenario of the last supper, he clearly does the opposite with his burst of emotion by failing to listen to Jesus and humble himself to obey the will of God.
Sometimes I find myself like Peter, a problem solver rather than a follower of Jesus, either emotionally distracted by circumstances, or failing to hear Jesus’ word because I am full of myself trying to save situations.
In times like these, I remind myself of the wise word from a brother, “Pray pa more!” Allow the grace of the Holy Spirit to increase in me and guide me to understand Jesus’ message.
d. “The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him.”
The desire to follow the Lord is anchored on our increasing knowledge of who God is and our belief on His love, mercy and promises. Our abilities to take action on this belief might vary on different circumstances but our desire to love and serve the Lord should constantly grow as God reveals Himself to us and accomplish His purpose.
God’s grace is sufficient. I am always awed remembering the time I was supposed to lose all my ability to work and to serve. But by God’s goodness and mercy, and the intercession of brothers and sisters, I survived and do not recall being hopeless. Perhaps, the Lord heard a brother’s prayer that I may be protected from any frustration or disapointment and have peace.
e. “It is possible for such people to receive divine revelation, but it is also possible for them to put hindrances in the way of the divine purpose.”
Peter’s devotion to Jesus is true, thus, the revelation of the Father through him. But being governed by his emotion allowed Satan’s lie for him to turn away from obedience to God’s will into believing the twisted truth that he is the one who can save Jesus.
Here I would like to focus on Jesus, the perfect revelation of the Father with His perfect obedience. He allowed His emotion to be expressed in humility: recognizing His Father’s word, submitting to God’s will and rebuking the lies of Satan. He is the way to the divine purpose. He is the Firm Foundation, the Rock from whom our characters, as living stones, should be transformed.
He mistook himself for the man he desired to be. - I can relate to this statement that sometimes we want to believe that we are capable of being "someone" we probably idolize or look up to; and eventually, we come into a reality that we are far from such "person". Akala mo gwapo at matalino ka, yun pala, cute ka lang. ha ha.
It is woefully possible that our fancied love for the Lord is little more than sentimental attachment. - Yes, it is very possible especially when things are good and well. Whenever we come out of Sunday mass, or after a retreat, the emotional connection with our Lord is so high that we feel that we are standing on unshakeable ground. But in an instance, we can easily skip our prayer time, due to pressing matters at hand.
The measure of our ability to follow the Lord is not assessed by the measure of our desire to follow Him. - Yes, this is definitely true. We all desire to be good person, and following Him is what we were taught to do. However, whenever an opportunity exist to do what is good, there is always the tendency of giving excuses, out of selfishness or just not wanting to get out of comfort zone.