Would You Violate
Your Ethic?
October 14, 2002
It's not a question most of us are ever asked. But
it's worth asking and answering. Here's the question: Would you
violate your ethic? Many men would say, "Of course not! I would
never compromise my moral principles and values." If that's your
answer then perhaps you need to reconsider. On the night before
Jesus' crucifixion, the Lord told Peter that he would disown
Jesus three times. Peter said, "Even if I have to die with you,
I will never disown you.”
Peter professed the highest, the most commendable,
of all human principles and values. He said he would die for
Jesus. A few hours later, however, he did exactly as Jesus
predicted he would do: He disowned Jesus three times. With each
denial Peter proved that his behavior did not measure up to his
avowed ethics.
Jesus knew that Peter would one day lead the
church--but he also knew that the fisherman would disown him.
Yet even that knowledge did not undermine the Lord's confidence
in Peter's leadership ability. Shortly before predicting the
apostle's denial of him, Jesus said, "When you have turned back,
strengthen your brothers” (Lu. 22:32).
Peter discovered on that dreadful night that he
loved himself more than Jesus. He learned he wasn't the man of
integrity he believed himself to be. But after the resurrection
he discovered another more powerful truth. He discovered that
Jesus is not looking for perfect men, but for men who hold to
his high ethic and seek to flesh it out in their lives. He wants
men so committed to integrity that they allow others to bring it
to their attention when they exaggerate, break a promise, make a
promise that can't be fulfilled, or compromise the truth for
personal advantage.
History tells us that Peter went on to be one of
the pillars of the early church. In his two letters to the
first-century Christians, he wrote of humility, forgiveness, and
personal holiness. He became a man of integrity, to be sure, but
he never became perfect--remember, that description is reserved
for Jesus. Even as the church grew and his leadership role
expanded, Peter remained open to the rebuke of those who spotted
inconsistency in his life (Gal. 2:11-16).
Similarly, each of us would be well served to ask
God, and a few trusted friends, to bring to our attention
instances when we haven't acted, or aren't acting with
integrity. And as a Mighty Man of God, you'll want to gently do
the same for others. When enough of us do this--we'll see
revival come, one man, one day at a time.
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