Seek Forgiveness & from appreciation for His mercy and Grace, Grant Forgiveness

REMEMBER PETER? 'FALSH-THE-SWORD-AND-DENY-THE-LORD' PETER? THE APOSTLE WHO BOASTED ONE MINUTE AND BOLTED THE NEXT? HE SNOOZED WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE PRAYED. DENIED WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE DEFENDED. CURSED WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE COMFORTED. RAN WHEN SHOULD HAVE STAYED. WE REMEMBER PETER AS THE ONE WHO RAN, BUT DO WE REMEMBER PETER AS THE ONE WHO TURNED HIMSELF IN?...

"Confession does for the soul what working the acreage does for the soil. Before the farmer sows the seed he works the land, removing rocks and pulling stumps. Why? Seed grows better in prepared soil. God's seed grows better in a pure soul. Confession invites God to walk the acreage of our hearts. 'There's a rock of greed over here, Father. I can't budge it. And that tree of pride near the fence? It's roots are long and deep. And may I show you some dry soil, too crusty for seed.?'

Confession seeks pardon from God, not amnesty. Pardon accepts guilt, amnesty (derived from the same Greek word, amnesia) forgets the alleged offense without imputing guilt. Confession admits wrong and seeks forgiveness; amnesty denies wrong and claims innocence....

Peter models confession... How did the New Testament writers know of his sin? Who told them of his betrayal? And, more important, how did they know the details? Who told them of the girl at the gate, and the soldiers starting a fire? How did Matthew know Peter's accent made him a suspect? How did Luke learn of the glance of Jesus? Who told all four Gospel writers about the crowing rooster and flowing tears?...

Likely, each learned of the confession by an honest confession. Peter turned himself in.

HE STOPPED HIS RUNNING, FELL TO HIS KNEES, BURIED HIS FACE IN HIS FISHERMAN'S HANDS, AND GAVE UP.

PETER TURNED. PETER RETURNED.

There he is, every burly bit of him filling the door frame of the upper room. 'Fellows... I've got something to get off my chest.' He describes that terrible morning, the fire, the girl, and the look from Jesus. they hear of the cursing mouth and the crowing rooster. He turned himself in.

How can I be so sure of this??

Peter just couldn't stay away from Christ! Who was the first to run to the empty tomb? Who was the first to jump from the boat and swim to Jesus who stood on the shore?

THOSE WHO KEEP SECRETS FROM GOD, KEEP THEIR DISTANCE FROM GOD.THOSE WHO ARE HONEST WITH GOD, HOWEVER, DRAW NEAR TO GOD."

~from TURN by Max Lucado