(Matthew 26:31-35, 38-45; 2 Chronicles 35:20-25; 2 Samuel 11:1-27;
1 Samuel 2:9; Zechariah 4:16; Mark 10:27)

Peter relied so much on his strength and abilities up until their (John 18:10, John 18:26-27) last time with Jesus Christ in the garden of Gethsemane. Peter had been very confident in his faith, works, and walk with the Lord. Even when the Lord said “satan will sift you…”, he rejected it. In the garden of Gethsemane, Peter was armed with a sword he could use to defend Christ.
Even when the Lord told Peter about his denial (John 13:37-38), the prophecy appeared to have sounded unbelievable to Peter. In the same way, many of us – Christians, believe in ourselves as Peter believed in himself.

Some time ago, a young fellow met Christ after some years in the wretchedness of sins. He became so devoted to Christ, in truth and indeed. Likewise, the Lord became very close to him with the manifestation of several gifts of the Spirit. At a point, the young man was so blessed with spiritual gifts such as open visions and if he stood close to people, he could hear their thoughts. But one day, he talked about how it was not necessary to always ask for forgiveness of sins since we do not sin all the time. I told him that no human is perfect to the extent of knowing every time he sins. There are times, when we do not know we had sinned until the Holy Spirit opens our understanding to those sins. There are also times when the Lord specifically calls our attention to our past unknown sins. However, the young man seemed to hold on to his thoughts. Some months later, he fell back into his previous sins which he believed he had overcome. This is not to mock anyone, as the Word of God says “Therefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (Corinthians 10:12). This is for us to realize how weak our flesh is and how powerless our abilities are except the Holy Spirit continues to help us.

Remember how David would not drink the water his warriors risked their lives to get for him when he was greatly thirsty (2 Samuel 23:14-17). Compare that to when he fornicated with Bathsheba and ordered her husband, Uriah to be killed (2 Samuel 11:1-27). He even did not seem to realize his wickedness until Prophet Nathan was sent to rebuke him (2 Samuel 12:1-12). Take heed and know that whoever you are today in Christ, falling from grace is only an action away. Deciding to remain steadfast in faith is great but it is another thing for us to remain standing. The ability to remain standing is not ours, it belongs to God – which is His grace. It is terribly unimaginable if one abuses God’s grace, ignores God’s grace, or maybe the grace is withdrawn. Any disconnection between a believer and God’s grace is a (critical) danger! So, we must not forget how wretched we could become (in sins) if the Holy Spirit will not help us rely on the grace of God.

You and I do not have the ability and power to remain standing in Christ unless the Holy Spirit continues to help us. Do not rely on or boast about your strength, knowledge, understanding, or experience. As the Holy Spirit is helping us to stand, we must not become proud, thinking that “the Lord loves me and He cannot leave”. We must always remember that we cannot afford to stop growing in Christ’s grace until we see Him face to face, submitting our sword at His feet. Remember, there is no point in our journey of faith when we can say that “where I have gotten to in Christ… I cannot fall, I cannot deny Christ, I am different from those who fall from grace”.

In my experience, as Jesus has been helping me, anytime I hear someone say anything similar to “… the level I am now in Christ… I cannot fall, I cannot deny Christ, no one can deceive me, no one can teach me about Christ again”, the next time I hear about them is usually pathetic. So, please remember the choruses that go thus:

(Rendered in Yoruba language) “ko seda to le laja, Baba ran mi lowo. Ko seda to le la ja. Baba to mi dona…” (meaning: no one can overcome by their strength, Father help me. No one can triumph by their strength, Father guide me).

It’s not by power
It’s not by might
“By My Spirit”, says the Lord

I have no power of my own
I have no power of my own
Holy Spirit, I look up to You,
Help me.
I have no power of my own

Prayer Points
1) Lord Jesus, forgive me for trusting in my power, strength, gift, knowledge, ability etc
2) Oh Lord Jesus, help me, I have no power of my own.
3) Holy Spirit, help me not to ignore or abuse the grace of God in my life, in Jesus name.
4) Oh Lord, help me to rely on You alone, in Jesus name.
5) Lord Jesus, release Your abundant grace that is able to keep me standing till I see You face to face, in Your kingdom.
6) Continue praying as the Holy leads you.