Having the will, no matter how intense, to do something and then not completing it, though it was possible to, counts for nothing. Many alcoholics will find themselves having the best and strongest intention to stand confessing before God, stop drinking, and make amends. Yet, a few days later, they are buried at the bottom of a bottle. Their strong intent, though sincere, died at continuing application. Though in the heart they were willing to remain sober, they did not. They have to start all over again.
Simon (Jesus called him Simon, not Peter the rock) declared his will to go to prison and to die for and with Jesus (33). His noble declaration was sincere, but would prove unfinished. Matthew and Mark record that the other disciples were no different than Simon (Matthew 26:35; Mark 14:31).
Jesus had been trying to prepare the disciples for months for what would happen this very night. He told them again and again and again that he would be arrested, tried, and crucified. He was clear and specific. But they were too interested in jockeying for a high place amongst their peers to listen.
How to convert the will to do the right thing into an act that fulfills it? Apostle Paul wrote, “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” (Philippians 2:12-15) Learn from Peter’s mistake. Listen to what Jesus says.
