In My Faith Journey

This post is written by my husband, Bob O’Neill. Listening to an online message last week by Pastor, Jonathan McQuitty, Bob remembered something he had learned in a small group while attending Journey Church. He wrote this today; I hope it ministers to your heart as much as it did mine.

Journey Church will always be home to us. God has sent us out to reach others on our journey, so read on my friends and remember…when you are converted, strengthen your brethren.

In my faith journey I’ve met many unique people. The story is very long but for now, let me describe one event. Then I’ll expand on that.

When Marla and I moved to south Florida we searched for a church we could call home. We found it in Journey Church. It was there that I met a group of guys at a men’s group meeting. We were studying… I don’t remember exactly as there have been so many but before we started the actual discussion that evening, we were chatting.

The topic came up ‘What is your go to bible verse?’. I thought about that and realized I didn’t have one. Later that week, I was listening to the bible.

Then one morning I heard Jesus say to Peter… ‘…So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ Luke 22:32 NLT

I thought, that’s it. Jesus is talking to me! As I heard that statement over and over in my head it struck me that this is spoken to me, now, and every day. So, I began to think about this.

I would like to… unpack it? I’m not exactly sure what that means other than to say that this one statement speaks volumes and it’s the volumes that I hope to relate, as I see it.

First, let’s look at the statement itself one part at a time. So, when you have repented…

Jesus was speaking to Peter, and He knew that Peter was a misfit to say the least. Peter’s past, though forgiven stuck with him. Jesus also knew what Peter would do in the future, both the bad and the good. Remember the rooster crowing three times? Peter ran off and wept bitterly. Luke 22:62.

So, Peter not only did what he said he would never do because he was weak at that moment, he regretted it and repented.

But was it all Peter’s fault? I don’t think so. I think that Satan knew how strong Peter would be in the creation of the church and wanted to ‘nip it in the bud’ so to speak. Little did Satan know… well he should have known; he’ll never win the war.

Before we go too deep in this one statement, we should look at it in the context of the complete verse starting with the verse before it.

Verse 31 reads…31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. Luke 22:31 NLT

Jesus was not only talking about Peter but all of the disciples at the time, but I believe this applies to anyone who has become a follower of Jesus. As I said, Peter would turn out to be a key factor in the creation of the church. Satan knew this and wanted to keep this from happening. Satan also knew that he can’t ‘sift’ without permission. Jesus knew this and stepped in on behalf of Peter. Jesus prayed for protection for each of His disciples including Peter, protection from this attack from Satan.

32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. Luke 22:32 NLT

It doesn’t hurt to have the King of Kings in your corner. Still, it was up to each of the disciples to step up, strengthen their faith and resist Satan’s attacks.

Let’s now look again at the last part of this verse… ‘…So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ Luke 22:32 NLT

Jesus knew that Peter would be attacked and would fail. But he also believed that Peter would return. I say that Jesus believed this rather than knew it because we all have free will and, well it could have gone totally wrong. Well, Jesus had a very STRONG belief that Peter would return. After all, he did say that ‘when’ you repent and turned to me again… Did he say ‘when’ to encourage Peter or because he knew rather than believed that Peter would repent and turn to Him again. This may be debated but that’s not the point of this.

So many people don’t even know Jesus or what he did to save us ‘ALL’. For those who don’t know him, does Jesus still care about them? Of course, he does. He didn’t die on the cross only for those who knew him at the time but for everyone, then and now. Consider Saul who later became Paul. Not only did he persecute the new believers but killed some as well just for believing in Jesus. Then on his trip to do more damage in Damascus, Jesus came to him on the road and… well… in Acts Chapter 9, Saul got the traumatic conversion we all should have. He was blessed in one respect. That is, that he was singled out for a face to face with Jesus. Not on the road, Saul was summoned into the third heaven. (2 Corinthians 12:2-4). Many of us don’t get that face to face until after we believe and have asked Jesus to come into our life, if then. Mush less a glimpse of what Heaven is like. Does that make us any less? No, I think it makes us even more. Saul was convinced by his traumatic experience. Those who know Jesus and have asked him into their hearts, believe yet have not seen.

How does the verse ‘…So, when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.’ apply to us? When we have repented and turned to Jesus as when we accept him as our Lord and Savior, he commands that we strengthen each other. Do we need to repent? Of course, we do, of anything we do, think or say which may keep us in sin. Even if we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and savior, do we never again sin? Turning away from those things which keeps in sin is to repent. When we repent and turn back to Him strengthening others helps us stay that way. Woah what an interesting thought! How is that you ask? Well think about it… by working daily to strengthen others in their faith can only strengthen our own faith. If you have stronger faith by following Jesus’ command to strengthen our brothers, then the prayer Jesus prayed for Peter is answered in us as well.

Who should we strengthen? We identify those who need strengthening and offer our help. This help can take the form of many things. Sometimes it’s simply a kind word and a discussion that will help our ‘brothers and sisters’ out of a spiritual battle. Sometimes it’s simply praying for someone or with someone.

There are many ways to accomplish the ‘strengthen your brothers’ part of this command. We must use our imagination and perhaps, think outside the box.

Here are some ways.

· Serve at your church

o If your church doesn’t have serve teams, start one

· Lead a small group

o People who want more will flock to your group

· Encourage everyone you meet

· Love more deeply, especially those closest to you

~Bob O’Neill, June 23, 2022