Being Forgiven Means Getting a Fresh Start! Today's Three-minute Bible Study Print, Study and Apply Title: Being Forgiven Means Getting a Fresh Start! Keywords: "forgiveness" "restoration" Welcome to eXXit, the web site designed to help you stand strong in the face of sexual temptation. Passage: John 21:15-17* 15. So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16. He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17. He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. Questions 1. Why do you think Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him three times?   2. What do you think Peter thought of when Jesus asked him the question the third time?   3. What command does Jesus give Peter after each questioning? Why is this command significant?   Practical help We all remember Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus (click here if you want to review that incident). Three times he was asked if he knew Jesus or if he was a follower of Jesus. Three times, Peter denied Christ. Jesus’ threefold questioning in the verses above is a restoration ceremony for Peter. Three times, Peter is asked if he loves Jesus. Three times, Peter gives a great response, “You know that I do.” Jesus asked the question three times and gave the command that He did three times (“Shepherd My sheep”) to do two things. First, He wanted Peter to fully “own up to” his failure. This is the only way he could experience cleansing forgiveness. By answering all three times, “Yes, Lord, You know that I love you.” Peter was restored and cleansed. Second, Jesus wanted Peter to reengage in ministry to others. He didn’t want Peter to stay “stuck.” The message is, “Yes, Peter, you blew it. Yes, Peter, you are restored. Now, Peter, reach out and serve Me by serving others in My name.” There is a message here for all those who struggle with Internet pornography! If you have fallen into the trap of viewing porn on the Web (or in any other format), admit that what you have done is wrong. Don’t try to sugarcoat it. Confess it to God, ask for cleansing and thank Him for your forgiveness. THEN, serve Him! Satan would love nothing more than to see you “stuck,” mired in guilt over past failures. But that is not God’s plan for you. He forgives you and restores you so that you can be free to serve Him by serving others. Christian, you have been given a fresh start. Past failures are past. Serve the Lord with all your heart and soul in the liberty of knowing His grace and forgiveness! eXXit homepage Index of three-minute studies Copyright 1999, 2004 by eXXit *"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission." ---