To the LIAR, the Potter loves you

To the LIAR, the Potter loves you.

Luke 22:34 Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” (NIV)

            Jesus had been with the disciples for 3 ½ years as  He taught them the will of the Father. They watched as He healed the sick, raised the dead, cast demons out of the possessed and gave hope to the oppressed. Jesus had been their closest companion and their Master. He calmed their fears in the middle of a storm, settled their squabbles when one wanted to be the greatest, came to their rescue at the accusations of the religious leaders, and taught them humility by washing their feet. No one had been as close of a brother, friend, and mentor, while still being God on earth as Jesus was. Unfortunately, this would not keep one of them from denying that they knew Him.

            Judas had made a deal with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, which was the equivalent of $600 in U.S. currency. Jesus knew that this had taken place and was already prepared for its outcome. Nevertheless, Judas would not be the only disciple with whom Jesus would be forsaken by. Jesus let Peter know that he would buckle under pressure and deny to others that he even knew Him three times before the rooster crowed. Matthew 26:33-34 Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” (NIV) Yes! Peter would lie and say that he never knew the Man. Of course, Peter thought that he would never do something like that to his beloved Master, but the rooster crowed as Jesus had prophesied and His words came to past. Matthew 26:75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (NIV)

            You can probably imagine the shame that Peter felt after having denied his Lord and Savior. Fear made him lie in order to protect himself from possibly the same fate as his Master. Self-preservation kicked in and instead of him standing boldly for Jesus, Peter lied in shame. Despite Peter having denied Him, Jesus forgave  and restored him to himself. John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (NIV) Jesus asked this question three times just as Peter had denied him three times, but this was Peter’s point of restoration. That’s right! Jesus did not hold it against Him for that was the reason that He came to die on the cross was so that we could all be FORGIVEN.

            There are people who suffer from having a lying tongue. They seem to never be able to tell the truth about anything and unfortunately, it causes a lot of problems. Proverbs 13:5 The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring same on themselves. (NIV) Children learn it naturally without anyone ever teaching it to them. It seems to be just as natural as other sins in which we are born into. Nevertheless, that is not an excuse to do it. So, you may ask, “When was the first lie told?” Well, let’s see…in Heaven. Lucifer deceived himself into thinking that he could be like his Creator. He thought that he could set himself up like the Most High. This is the most dangerous type of lie there is when a person lies to him/herself. Isaiah 14:13-14 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God,; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” (NIV)

            Lying causes many problems and can ruin a person’s life. It may seem like you’ve gotten away with something for a while, but when you tell one lie, you normally have to tell another one in order to cover the first one up. King David could testify to this firsthand when he slept with another man’s wife and did the ultimate evil to cover it up. 2 Samuel 11:14-15 In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. In it he wrote, “Put Uriah out in front where the fighting is fiercest. Then withdraw form him so he will be struck down and die.” (NIV) Lie after lie is told and before you know it, the lies have spun you into a web that you cannot get untangled from. Lies have consequences that normally will not have you on the right side of anything. They can ruin your reputation, breakup relationships, land you in jail, and even get you an eternity in hell. Proverbs 19:9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish. (NIV)

Yes, there is nothing good that comes from being a liar. Those around you will lose trust in anything you say when you have a history of not being able to be trusted. You may say, “Well, I already know this,” and indeed you may, but the most important thing to know is that lies will separate you from the Potter.

            The Potter is a God of truth and love. You can’t know Him if you do not love truth. For in God, no lies can be found. Your answers should always be yay or nay. Matthew 5:37 All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. (NIV)  Anything else puts you in danger of being dishonest and all liars will not enjoy an eternity with the Potter because that is of the devil. Therefore, the Potter extends His grace and mercy to you because He forgives all of our transgressions. He loves you and desires for you to walk fully in His TRUTH. Proverbs 30:5-6 “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. (NIV) Whatever lies that you may have told, deceptive practices that you have done, and/or even deceiving yourself, you can repent of it today.

Repent first to God and then to those with whom you have lied to. They may get upset and rightfully so, but this is what the Potter requires of all His vessels. After you have been totally honest, you will find a sense of relief for having done what is right in the sight of God. We are to walk upright and holy before Him, but this cannot be done if we have deceit in our hearts. Jeremiah 17:9-10 The hear is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct according to what their deeds deserve.” (NIV) Be honest with yourself that you have a lying tongue and allow the Potter to restore you to His absolute TRUTH. He loves you and is all too willing to give you total restoration in Him.