Eight reasons that ministers should examine themselves: 1. You have heaven to win or lose yourselves… A holy calling will not save an unholy man. 2. You have sinful inclinations as well as others. 3. (You) have greater temptations than most men. 4. The tempter will make his first and sharpest onset upon you. If you will be leaders against him, he will spare you no further than God restrains him. 5. Many eyes are upon you, and therefore there will be many to observe your falls. 6. Your sins are more aggravated than those of other men. They have more of hypocrisy in them, and are more detrimental to the cause of religion. 7. The honor of your Lord and Master, and of His holy truth, doth lie more on you than other men. 8. The souls of your hearers and the success of your labors do very much depend upon your self-examination.
Richard Baxter

Simon Peters Tears

Simon Peters Tears

SIMON PETER’S TEARS

How the great lesson he leaned near the outset of his spiritual life can be a help to us who are God’s gathered-out people.

PETER – Started Well – John 1:42

  • Fell – Mark 14:37, 66-71
  • Ran Well – His Epistles
  • Finished Well – John 21: 18-19

O, the bitter tears of Peter,
When he saw what he had done,
Just denied his blessed Saviour,
Brought dishonour on the Son.

Thrice denied he even knew Him,
Warmed himself at this world’s fire,
Mingled with them, even cursing,
Forgetting now his first desire.

He had boasted of his fervor,
Offended of Thee – no! Not I,
Gladly would I now die with Thee,
Rather than Thy Name deny.

But when Jesus looked upon him,
With those eyes of love divine,
He remembered what was told him,
And it made his heart repine.

O, how often, we deny Him,
Just like Peter did of old,
Though we think we’d never do it,
When our heart grows lax and cold.

And we too take things for granted,
Thinking we are right with God,
When we truly are not walking,
In the path that He has trod.

Can we look at television,
Watch it hour after hour,
And still have communion with Him?
Can we still maintain our power?

It’s as true today as ever,
Light and darkness cannot blend,
Nor can we join hands with sinners,
And not grieve the sinner’s Friend.

O, beloved brother, sister, take
This little glimpse and see,
That bless’d look that melted Peter,
And may it too, again melt thee.

This same Jesus soon is coming,
Soon to take His people home,
May we then in separation,
Seek His company till He come.

R.A.R.

Simon Peter was a man
Just like you and me;
Simon Peter loved the Lord
As everyone can see.
Though he was impetuous
His love was always there,
And though he sometimes made mistakes, He always had a care.
For God’s own sheep, and
God’s own lambs, for all
The church of God.
And ere his pathway ended
The steps of God he trod.

May this be our ambition
No matter how we fail,
To cleave to Him, go on, and on
Till safe within the Veil.

Read Matthew 26:31 to 75

I Peter 1:3 to 9

Reprint permission was granted to Computers for Christ #22 for the expressed purpose of posting this tract in electronic form. Please DO NOT modify this file nor distribute hard copies of this file.

Printed copies for distribution are available from the Gospel Tract Society for a donation.

The Gospel Tract Society is supported by our contributions. Please help them continue their work by sending them a contribution today.

The Gospel Tract Society, Inc.
P.O. Box 1118
Independence, MO 64061

Related Articles: