Everybody has made mistakes, and have had to apologize for the trouble they have caused. Some mistakes can be corrected, while for others there can be no correction - the damage is done, or the exam is failed, or the opportunity is lost!
For the biggest mistake you could possibly make in this life there is yet time and opportunity to correct it, as we learn from today's passage.
The crowds of people were "all surprised and amazed" and they ran to the scene. A man who had been a lame beggar was now "walking and jumping and praising God." (see verses 8-10.)
Peter said to them, "Why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us? ...God...has glorified His Servant Jesus." (verses 12-13.)
The people he was speaking to were the ones who had rejected Jesus just a few weeks earlier, and instead had asked Pilate to turn loose a murderer.
"You killed the One. who leads to Life," Peter told them, "but God raised Him from death - and we are witnesses to this." (verses l3-15.)
What a terrible mistake these people had made. Here was proof that they had rejected a very important Person! It was “by faith in the name of Jesus this man was made strong" Peter told them, it was “the faith that come through Jesus that has given this complete healing to him…” (verse 16.)
Could it be that you have made a similar terrible mistake by rejecting Jesus, and have accepted in His place some mere man to be the one you would follow and trust? - someone whom you hope will be able to help to save you! Many are content to think some fellow-men in their religion will be able to save them from God's judgment and wrath! But no one can take Jesus' place! (Acts 4:12. 1stTimothy 2:5-6.)
If you have made that terrible mistake of thinking someone else can rescue you from the punishment you deserve, and from the power of evil, then all is not yet lost. There is yet time to correct that mistake - but it is urgent that you act now.
Perhaps like the people Peter was speaking to your rejection of Jesus until now "was due to your ignorance". Maybe you weren't aware of making such a terrible mistake. The message for you is exactly the same as Peter had for the people that day: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out." (verse 19.)
"Repent" means to change your mind; admit your terrible mistake and turn to Jesus, the Son of God, for His forgiveness and salvation. Put your faith in Jesus alone as your Priest and Saviour. (Acts 5:31-32.)
Don't delay! Correcting a mistake like this one must be done now before it is forever too late. (2ndCorinthians 6:1-2.)
Read about this urgent advice of Peter's in Acts chapter 3, verses 8-19.
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