From Unusable to Usable

Have you ever wondered why some Christians seem to struggle with spiritual maturity despite being genuinely saved? The story of Peter offers profound insights into this common struggle and shows us the path from spiritual immaturity to becoming a powerful vessel for God's use.

Can You Relate to Peter?

When Jesus called his disciples, most were teenagers or in their early twenties. Peter was the exception - he was in his thirties, supposedly the most mature of the group. Yet throughout the Gospels, Peter consistently demonstrates spiritual immaturity despite his genuine faith. Peter was quick to speak, quick to lose his temper, and preferred doing things his own way. Sound familiar? This reveals an important truth: whether you're young or old, God can use you, but spiritual maturity isn't automatically tied to physical age. Peter's salvation was never in question. When Jesus asked if the disciples would also leave him, Peter responded, "Lord, where else can we go? You have the words of eternal life." Peter knew Jesus was his only source for life's answers and eternal life.

What Made Peter Unusable Despite Being Saved?

Peter Insisted on Doing Things His Way

At the Mount of Transfiguration, when Peter saw Jesus in his glory alongside Moses and Elijah, his response revealed his spiritual immaturity. Instead of falling down before the glorified Christ, Peter suggested building three tabernacles - one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. Peter was essentially putting Moses and Elijah on the same level as Jesus Christ. God's immediate response was clear: "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Only Jesus deserved that reverence.

Churches today are filled with people who insist on having things done their way. But here's the question:

Is that keeping your mind on Christ or on yourself? When we're convinced our way is the best way, we don't leave room for Christ to dictate decisions.

Peter Took His Eyes Off Jesus

When Jesus walked on water, Peter asked to join him. As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he accomplished the miraculous - he walked on water! But the moment Peter focused on himself and his circumstances, he began to sink. Peter looked around at the choppy waves and strong wind, shifting his focus from Jesus to his weaknesses and circumstances. This is what made him unusable - focusing on himself instead of Christ.

Too many Christians today focus on their weaknesses and circumstances rather than keeping their eyes on Jesus. As long as we maintain that focus on Christ, we can accomplish the impossible.

Peter Doubted God's Word

Jesus clearly told Peter that Satan had asked permission to test him, but that Jesus had prayed for Peter's faith not to fail. Jesus even prophesied that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed.Peter's response? "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death." Peter trusted his pride over God's clear word. He believed his own strength would be sufficient to face whatever Satan threw at him.

Many Christians today make the same mistake. It's easy to say we'd die for Christ when we've never been tested. But when the rubber meets the road, will we trust ourselves or God's Word?

How Peter's Doubt Led to His Downfall

Chastisement and Running Away

When Jesus was arrested, Peter drew his sword and cut off the high priest's servant's ear. Jesus sternly rebuked him: "Put your sword into the sheath." This wasn't a gentle correction - it was a firm reprimand in front of everyone present.

How did Peter respond to this chastisement? Instead of repenting and saying "Yes, Jesus, please forgive me," Peter ran away. He was the only disciple who fled the scene, despite his earlier boasts about dying for Christ.

This is how many Christians respond today when publicly corrected - they run away sulking instead of repenting. This is often why people go from church to church to church.

The Denial

Peter's running away led directly to his denial of Christ. Three times he was confronted about being Jesus' follower, and three times he denied it. After the third denial, the rooster crowed, and Jesus turned and looked at Peter.

At that moment, Peter remembered Jesus' words and was convicted by God's Word. He went out and wept bitterly, finally brokenhearted over his sin. This is crucial - if sin doesn't leave you brokenhearted as a Christian, there are issues between you and God that need addressing.

How Did Peter Become Usable?

After Jesus' resurrection, he had a crucial conversation with Peter. Three times Jesus asked, "Do you love me?" - once for each denial. This wasn't just restoration; it was preparation for usefulness.

Jesus told Peter that when he was younger, he went where he wanted to go (doing things his own way). But when he was older, others would lead him where he didn't want to go - a prophecy of Peter's eventual crucifixion. The transformation was remarkable. Just 50 days after denying Christ, Peter preached one of the greatest sermons in history on the Day of Pentecost. Three thousand people were saved through his message. Peter had gone from unusable to incredibly useful in a matter of weeks.

Life Application

God wants to use every saved person, but many remain unusable because they insist on doing things their own way, doubt God's Word, and focus on their circumstances rather than Christ. Peter's transformation shows us that no matter how spiritually immature we might be, God can make us incredibly useful when we surrender our pride and doubt.

This week, examine your own spiritual usefulness. Are you like the early Peter - saved but unusable because of pride and self-reliance? Or are you ready to be broken and remade into a vessel God can use powerfully?

Ask yourself these questions:

• Do I insist on having things done my way in church and life decisions?

• When facing difficulties, do I focus on my circumstances or keep my eyes on Jesus?

• Do I trust God's Word even when it contradicts what I think I can handle?

• How do I respond when corrected - with repentance or by running away?

• Does my sin leave me genuinely brokenhearted, or do I make excuses for it?