Do You Love Me?

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
   Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
   The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
 Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 

Peter had made a huge mistake. After being warned that he would deny that he knew Jesus, and after he had said that he never would, he did. He felt the shame of his sin and had gone back to do what he knew best, fishing. But after Jesus had risen from the dead, he came and confronted Peter. The verbal exchange was heart-wrenching, not only for Peter, but for all of us who read the story.
    Have you ever felt that you have done something so bad, so sinful, so evil, that it is impossible for God to forgive you? Have you felt separated from God so much that you couldn't even pray? Did the thought of coming before your King seem impossible because of your shame? Then consider yourself in good company because this is exactly how Peter felt. He wanted with all his heart to see Jesus again, but he felt completely unworthy because he had denied him. 
    It seems to me that when Jesus confronted Peter, he wanted little more than to hear him say, "Yes Lord, I love you." Of course, Peter repented and turned away from his sin, and so should we, but ultimately the blood of Jesus shed at the cross forgives and covers our sin. It is a lie of the enemy that tells us we are unworthy to go to Jesus. It is a mistake to believe that Jesus will not receive us because of our sin. He has already forgiven every sin that we will ever commit. It is time to stop believing the lie and believe the truth of God's Word. We are already forgiven, already reconciled, already redeemed. 
    While you should never use the grace of Jesus as a license to sin, you must understand that you are completely forgiven. If you are struggling today with something that you have done, or even a sin that you continue to participate in, you must be set free from the guilt and shame. No, you cannot continue in the sin, because this dishonors the great price that has been paid for you. But you are forgiven and it is never too late to come before Jesus and have the same kind of conversation Peter did. When it's over, you will be satisfied because you have met with Jesus. And he will be satisfied because he heard you say, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Remember that this is true: "Love covers over a multitude of sins." You are loved so greatly that nothing you do can sever it. When we love him back, there is a cord that cannot be broken. It is the bond of love that sets you free.