“After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?’” (John 21:15 NLT)
A few days ago, I mentioned a scenario where a beautiful young woman interviewed several young men, finally asking the last among her options: “Would you still marry me if you knew you would never be able to have sex with me?” Why would I use an illustration like that? Because sex is arguably the most powerful force in a young man’s heart and thoughts and a motivating factor on many levels. Sex is a motivating factor in nearly everyone’s life.
Do you not realize there would be no pornography, sexual solicitation, sex trafficking of minors and others if there weren’t those willing to pay thousands of dollars for those services. But at what cost? The ruination of thousands of young people, even children’s lives? But society’s attitude seems to be “Who cares if it can generate a big income and meet a ‘need?’” But why does that “need” exist? SIN!
The lusts of the flesh are the insatiable appetites of sinful humanity that take the place of God or anything else that gets in their way of having what their lustful desires demand. Why do I even bring these horrific things up? Because unless and until we settle in our own heart and mind what motivates us and to what we’ll pledge our allegiance, we’d better not be too bold about proclaiming that Jesus owns our heart.
What rules our time, money, and thought life owns our heart. Period! End of story. Frame it in any kind of religious jargon you desire, but if Jesus is first, it will show up in those three areas. The question Jesus asked Peter is the same question each of us must ask and answer: “do you love Me more than these?” To whom or what was Jesus referring?
The other disciples who had become like family to him? Peter was sitting on the shoreline where his fishing boat and equipment were nearby. Was it fishing, as his livelihood, to which Jesus was referring? No doubt Peter was reliving the night when he blatantly denied even knowing who Jesus was, what was he loving most that night? Himself? Was Peter’s fear still a factor in deciding to whom he’d pledge his life’s allegiance? But those aren’t really the issues with which WE must deal are they?
The real question before each of us, of course, is “Who or what do I love more than Jesus?” Whatever “these” represents for us, that thing or those things must bow before the Lordship of Jesus or our heart, mind and soul will continue to pay them homage. Do I love my family and friends more than Jesus? How about my job, occupation, whatever I do for a living? Money? Sex? My lifestyle? My hobbies? Sports? Video games or my series on Netflix or Prime or ?? Is pornography my first “love” or alcohol, drugs, or my vape pipe? Whatever occupies your time and on which you spend your money that distracts you from giving Jesus your all, your everything, then it needs to take its proper place behind Him. If those distractions are being done in contradiction to the clear instruction of God’s Word, they need to go entirely. You can’t serve two masters.
What does that mean? If it’s sinful and clearly robbing you of your life in Christ you must turn from it. If you’re involved in immorality in whatever form it may rear its ugly head: lust, pornography, homosexuality, adultery or emotional affairs or in any other way putting the satisfaction of your sexual needs ahead of obedience to the Lord, submission to His authority, and living in conformity to His holy Word, then you have a choice to make – Jesus or your sin! You can’t hold onto both.
The Bible is clear that to love and follow Jesus is to choose a hard path, a path filled with hard choices, every one of which will either draw us closer to Him or push us further away. Peter made his choice! After a life of devoted service, he chose to be crucified upside down rather than dishonor his Lord by being crucified in the same manner as his Lord. It likely won’t come to that for you and me, but death for our faith is a very real possibility for any Jesus follower in the day in which we now live. If you’re faking your life in Christ, you’d better be careful. Somebody might think you’re serious and kill you. Then where would you be?
If you love Him, live like it. If you don’t, walk away, and stop pretending. There’s no middle ground.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 