Fail Forward - those people
Water cooler conversation:
What was your biggest win this week? What was your biggest challenge?
If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Unpack the Message:
Peter is one of the more relatable characters in Scripture. The impact of his ministry is evident centuries after his death, and his life story is a master class in failing forward.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven after His death, burial and resurrection, He told the disciples they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). In the days following the ascension, the disciples began establishing the church. Still, as time passed, they faced increasing persecution from the Sanhedrin, forcing many Christians to flee Jerusalem, including Peter, who traveled to Joppa.
One day, while praying, a hungry Peter sees a vision of a sheet filled with different types of animals—including birds of prey and reptiles that Mosaic law prohibited the Jewish people from eating. (Acts 11:6). A voice tells him to kill and eat, but Peter refuses. Then, the voice rebukes Peter saying, "What God has made clean, do not call common" (Acts 10:15). This is repeated three times before the sheet is taken into heaven (Acts 10:9–16).
Later, Peter is invited to the home of Cornelius, a Roman centurion who, little did he know, would become Christ-followers along with his family. Peter accepts his invitation, which was a significant decision as Mosaic law prohibited Jews and Gentiles from fellowshipping. Peter addresses Cornelius, his family, and other guests who have gathered, acknowledging that it is unlawful for Jews to associate with Gentiles. He clarifies that God showed him "that I should not call any person common or unclean," thus why Peter came without objection (Acts 10:28). Peter then shares the gospel and affirms that "all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in [Jesus] receives forgiveness of sins through his name" (Acts 10:43) (Acts 10:24–43). While he is speaking, the Holy Spirit indwells his Gentile audience, much to the amazement of the Jewish believers who had traveled with Peter. Just as on Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles was evident, at least in part, by them speaking in tongues. Peter calls for the new believers to be baptized in water just as the believing Jews had. In Acts 11:1–18, Peter recounts to the church leaders in Jerusalem the events of Acts 10. Acts 11:19–26 gives the account of even more Gentiles coming to faith.
These verses demonstrate to the early church and newly saved Jewish believers that salvation is for Gentiles and the Jews. Jesus, the Messiah, had not come only for the Jews, but all people, throughout the uttermost parts of the earth.
Peter, though a passionate follower of Jesus, was still a man, prone to fail. In Galatians 2, we read that despite his bold declaration that there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in salvation, Peter's courage fails him when he is criticized for eating with Gentile Christians in Antioch. Because Peter has great influence, all the other Jewish Christians leave the table, too. Even Barnabas, Paul's partner in ministry, can't take the pressure. Paul opposes Peter challenging him, "If you now live like a Gentile—by eating with Gentiles—how can you force the Gentiles to follow all the Jewish rules and customs?"
From Acts 10:28 to Acts 15:10-11, Peter fails forward, admitting he had it wrong expecting the Gentiles to adopt Jewish law and custom when they had already experienced salvation.
Peter shows us that gradual compromise leads to grievous failure. God does not favor one race over another. Peter's refusal to eat alongside Gentiles, segregating from Gentiles, introduces racism and division to the church. Salvation is by grace alone, not based on our merit but by Jesus' sacrifice. But, failure can be confronted in a moment. Paul sees Peter's actions for what they are and calls him out for them. Just as Peter's actions were public, so was Paul's rebuke. Though Peter's influence led others to follow, Paul decides to confront him without hesitation.
Peter's failure shows us that failure is never impossible, even for mature believers. Despite His bold declaration of God's grace in Acts 11, Peter slips into his old pattern of cowardice. Never think we are too big to fail. The devil knows your weakness and looks to exploit it (1 Peter 5:8). Likewise, recovery is never impossible. Peter is called out for his failure in Galatians 2 but acknowledges salvation is for Jews and Gentiles alike in Acts 15.
Failure with or without excuses is still a failure, but character is developed when we learn from failure. Whether our motive and intentions were pure or self-serving, failure is a failure no matter why. However, the key is to fail forward and learn from our experience.
Failure is contagious. Even Barnabus, a close companion and ministry partner of Paul, is influenced by Peter's decision to separate himself from Gentile believers. But, even as failure is contagious, so is virtue. Thus, when Peter is confronted by Paul, he humbles himself, acknowledges his failure, and James—the same James named in Galatians 2— a leader in the church, stands up to support him.
Make a Move:
Tell God your past failures that you continue to struggle with. Ask Him to help deliver you from these feelings.
Prayer Prompt:
Ask God to help you forgive yourself of your past failures in the same way He has forgiven your sins. Thank Him for His forgiveness and grace in your life.