Heart Over Flaws
“It’s better to fail and follow than never follow at all.”
The Story of Peter: Failing Forward
We see this powerfully in the life of Peter—a man who walked with Jesus, failed Him deeply, and yet became the rock upon which Christ built His Church.
Peter denied Jesus three times before the Cross. But after the resurrection, he affirmed his love for Jesus three times.
Jesus knew Peter’s flaws—He saw his weaknesses up close. But Jesus was more concerned with Peter’s heart than with Peter’s failures. He knew Peter’s flaws were temporary and that, through restoration, they would be made perfect in Him.
When Peter affirmed his love and committed to care for Jesus’ flock, it was a powerful turning point. Jesus entrusted him with great responsibility—not because he was perfect, but because he was humble, courageous, and loyal to the end.
The Contrast of Judas: Holding Back the Heart
Now contrast that with Judas. Jesus also knew Judas’ heart—and He knew He did not have it.
Judas may have walked closely with Jesus, but his pride and ambition ultimately led him to betray the very one who could have saved him. He didn’t perish because of his mistake—he perished because he withheld his heart.
What Is Jesus Really After?
This is where we must pause and ask ourselves:
Is Jesus more concerned with our flaws or our heart?
Scripture answers this clearly:
Our Flaws Don’t Disqualify Us—Jesus isn’t looking for perfection.
He’s looking for devotion.
A heart that seeks Him.
A heart that loves Him.
A heart that obeys—even with all its mess and failures.
Because here’s the truth:
So if you’ve failed, faltered, or feel unworthy—don’t let the enemy convince you that you’re disqualified.
He has no stronghold where Jesus reigns.
And when Jesus holds your heart, His grip is stronger than your mistakes.
This is the Power of Christ Alive in Me.
Reflection Questions
Supporting Scriptures
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
John 21:15–17
Peter’s threefold restoration by Jesus after his denial:
“Simon son of John, do you love me?... Feed my sheep.”
Luke 22:61–62
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him... And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
“It’s better to fail and follow than never follow at all.”
The Story of Peter: Failing Forward
We see this powerfully in the life of Peter—a man who walked with Jesus, failed Him deeply, and yet became the rock upon which Christ built His Church.
Peter denied Jesus three times before the Cross. But after the resurrection, he affirmed his love for Jesus three times.
Jesus knew Peter’s flaws—He saw his weaknesses up close. But Jesus was more concerned with Peter’s heart than with Peter’s failures. He knew Peter’s flaws were temporary and that, through restoration, they would be made perfect in Him.
When Peter affirmed his love and committed to care for Jesus’ flock, it was a powerful turning point. Jesus entrusted him with great responsibility—not because he was perfect, but because he was humble, courageous, and loyal to the end.
Jesus builds His Church not on perfect hearts, but on surrendered ones.
The Contrast of Judas: Holding Back the Heart
Now contrast that with Judas. Jesus also knew Judas’ heart—and He knew He did not have it.
Judas may have walked closely with Jesus, but his pride and ambition ultimately led him to betray the very one who could have saved him. He didn’t perish because of his mistake—he perished because he withheld his heart.
What Is Jesus Really After?
This is where we must pause and ask ourselves:
Is Jesus more concerned with our flaws or our heart?
Scripture answers this clearly:
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7
Our Flaws Don’t Disqualify Us—Jesus isn’t looking for perfection.
He’s looking for devotion.
A heart that seeks Him.
A heart that loves Him.
A heart that obeys—even with all its mess and failures.
Because here’s the truth:
- Our flaws don’t disqualify us.
- Our heart toward Jesus is what qualifies us.
So if you’ve failed, faltered, or feel unworthy—don’t let the enemy convince you that you’re disqualified.
He has no stronghold where Jesus reigns.
And when Jesus holds your heart, His grip is stronger than your mistakes.
This is the Power of Christ Alive in Me.
Reflection Questions
- Is my heart fully surrendered to Jesus, or am I still clinging to perfection?
- Have I allowed failure to define me more than Christ’s love has?
- In what ways can I follow Him more wholeheartedly today?
Supporting Scriptures
1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
John 21:15–17
Peter’s threefold restoration by Jesus after his denial:
“Simon son of John, do you love me?... Feed my sheep.”
Luke 22:61–62
“The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him... And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Matthew 16:18 (NIV)
“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Psalm 51:17 (NIV)
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”
Romans 8:1 (NIV)
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
“The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
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