Teachings – On Dangerous Ground

ON DANGEROUS GROUND

UNFOLDING FORTY-THREE

WHERE WE ARE

Jesus was led away to be questioned. Peter, and the disciple who loved Jesus, followed the entourage. When asked if Peter was one of Jesus’ disciples, he said he wasn’t. Three times, he disavowed Jesus – three times as Jesus prophesied that Peter would before the cock crowed at third time. Now what? 

SCRIPTURE

John 18: 25

“And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.”

ON DANGEROUS GROUND
UNFOLDING FORTY-THREE

“Peter was on dangerous ground. While his Master was being buffeted, he was trying to make himself comfortable.”

 Pastor observed –

“He does ill to linger upon a quagmire, for thus he toys with danger, and courts destruction.”

Pastor’s advice?

“Linger no longer in the wilderness than you are forced to do; hurry through the enemy’s country, and rest not till you are in Immanuel’s Land.”

If you do no hurry… if you tarry…

“While you tarry on dangerous ground your weakness increases. Peter, who might at first have owned his Master, did not do it, but denied Him. Having once denied Him, it was almost inevitable that he should do the same again; and so, again and again, he said, ‘I know not the man.'”

Thus, Pastor admonishes –

“Linger not where the plague rages: stay not where temptation abounds.”

To whom does Pastor direct his admonishment?

“There are some who are in positions of life which they ought to give up: positions which are sinful, and cannot be held by persons who are honest, truthful, and chaste.”

Indeed, let us not be ashamed to say when asked if you were seen with Christ or in Christian fellowship, 

“Yes, you have probably seen me; for I have often been there.”

THOUGHT GOING FORWARD

I have tarried where I shouldn’t have tarried. I have lingered in places of squalor. I was that prodigal son who ran from the courtyard and hid in the shadow of darkness. However, and Praise God for His mercy! He is faithful! I pray never to return to those shadows. I pray to run! I do not linger… tarry in the wilderness any longer than I must… on dangerous ground.  

IN TRIBUTE TO SPURGEON’S LOVE OF SHORT RYHMES

Be aware, be alarmed
if the place you stand is tempting you to stay,
If your conscience begs you run?
then hurry, hurry! Run – right now! Today!