God’s Way

“And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mark 8:32-33)

In Peter’s defense, I understand. Could you imagine how much good Jesus could do if He had died at a ripe, old age? If He stayed in Capernaum and brought an end to cancer? If He had ventured longer in the wilderness and eliminated hunger? These are good things. However, had Jesus not died, we would have died cancer-free, hunger-free, but not guilt-free. Had Christ not died, Satan’s works would not be defeated, nor death destroyed, nor sin atoned. One is obviously more important than the other, but do we understand that? Does our focus in life reflect Christ’s or Peter’s? Our conversations? Our ministry efforts?

Or if I can slightly paraphrase the words of the late Thomas Watson: “You can do things God’s way or the devil’s way. There is no third option.”