INTRODUCTION

Peter knew that the Gentiles were no longer to be considered unclean (Acts 10:9-16 [9] On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: [10] And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, [11] And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: [12] Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. [13] And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. [14] But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. [15] And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. [16] This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
See All...), and he demonstrated this by eating with them. However, when some prominent Jews arrived, Peter “withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.” He knew better but allowed fear to cause him to rebel against the clear teachings of the Lord. As such, Peter “was to be blamed” (Galatians 2:11But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
See All...), and Paul had to rebuke him. It is one thing for a man to sin against the Lord through ignorance, but Peter knowingly, purposely, and openly violated God’s word. In like manner, believers today must bear the blame and the shame when they sin against the clear teachings of scripture.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Adam and Eve went against the clear teachings of God. Instead of taking responsibility for their own sin, they blamed others (Genesis 3:11-13 [11] And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? [12] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. [13] And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
  See All...). King Saul did the same thing (1 Samuel 15:1-3 [1] Samuel also said unto Saul, The LORD sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of the LORD. [2] Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt. [3] Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.
  See All..., 13-15, 22-23). We need to confess our own sins (Psalm 32:5I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
  See All...). Remember that God already knows what we have done (Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Have you purposely and knowingly sinned against the clear teachings of scripture? Have you confessed your sin and repented of that sin before the Lord?
• How often do you willingly fess up to the blame that is yours when you sin against the Lord? Do others have to declare your sin, or do you own up to it on your own?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask the Lord to protect you from known sin.
• Ask God to give you a desire to be blameless.

HYMN

CLEANSE ME

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