Luke 5:8

“I am a sinful man.”

These words were spoken by the apostle Peter.

But they could have been my words.

They could have been your words.

The occasion was Jesus joining Simon Peter in his fishing boat just off shore to preach to the pressing multitudes. At the conclusion of Jesus’ lesson, He urged Peter to launch out into deeper water and cast their nets.

Peter answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets” (Lk. 5: 5).

Immediately their catch was so big that the nets began to break. Quickly they signaled their partners from another boat and filled both boats with fish. In fact, their catch was so great that the boats began to sink.

The wonder of this miraculous catch caused Peter to fall down at Jesus’ feet and exclaim, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

Peter wasn’t demanding Jesus to literally leave. Rather, he was awed at being in the presence of Deity. Awestruck by Jesus’ power. Majesty. And might. He was reminded of his inadequacy. His flawed humanity. And a humble admission of his sinfulness compared to Jesus’ holiness. Peter realized that if the Lord knew where to catch fish, He knew him. His heart. His flaws. His foibles. His sins.

When we think of Peter we think of imperfect Peter. Impetuous Peter. Irritable Peter. There were times Peter was rash, brash, and hasty. Times he spoke when he should have keep quiet. Times when he became angry. And of course, the time in the shadow of the cross when he denied Jesus. Not once. Not twice. But three times. Finally with emphasis, cursing and swearing, he asserted, “I do not know the Man!”

It’s easy to question Peter. To condemn him. To wonder, “How could you?” “Why did you?” “What were you thinking?

But like all humanity, Peter was sinful. Like me. Like you.

It’s an aspect of our nature that we’re uncomfortable admitting and confronting. If we’re not careful we can become like the prideful Pharisee thanking God we’re not like others–liars, cheats, thieves, drunkards, adulterers, or homosexuals. Yet, we too, have sinned.

In darkness of this early morning hour, drinking a cup of coffee, I’m painfully reminded of my own weaknesses. There are times in my life when I hurt my parents. Disappointed my children. Neglected my wife. Offended my brethren. Overlooked “the least of these.” Failed in my ministry. And sinned against God.

A Shepherd in a church I once served often said we should personalize scripture. For instance, when we read, “God so loved the world,” insert “God so loved {Ken Weliever}.”

However, in this case, Roman 3:23 could read “{Ken Weliever} has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” You could insert your name in the text too.

Have you ever entertained a thought you’d be ashamed to post on this blog site?

Have you ever looked twice when you shouldn’t have looked once?

Have you ever walked in the counsel of the wicked? Or stood in the path of sinners? Or sat in the seat of the scoffer? (Ps. 1:1).

Have you ever uttered an ugly word in anger?

Have you ever visited someplace where you’d be embarrassed to have your picture plastered on the internet?

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show that left you feeling dirty and defiled?

Have you ever lingered on an internet pop-up or web page, that you should’ve quickly exited?

Have you ever been unkind, unforgiving, unapproachable, and unwilling to admit wrong?

Have you ever keep silent when you should have courageously spoken up?

Have you ever failed to do good when you knew you should have and could have?

Have you ever been filled with pride, making you feel superior that you’ve never been guilty of any of these sins?

“I am a sinful man.” But that doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Like Peter, I can be forgiven. I can be restored. I can be useful in ministry. I can find my place in God’s Kingdom. And so can you.

Thank God, by His grace, which is greater than all our sin, we can receive pardon, find peace, and live in the presence of a merciful Father willing to grant us eternal salvation.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman