This scripture is set after Christ arose. Peter got so excited when He saw Christ cooking on the shore that he just flung himself into the sea while the others waited until the boat reached the shore. I think he was overcome by emotion and his love for Christ. Oswald says, and I agree, that committing ourselves to Christ is a transaction of will, not of emotion. This brings to mind something I've pondered (with no great revelation) for the past year...
What is the purpose or role of emotion (relative to will) within in the context of the spiritual life?
1 comment:
Peter, in his early walk with Christ, is a great example of what we do when emotions rule and the failure that often follows, i.e., Peter's denial. Emotions play a huge part in our enjoyment of the Lord - look at David, who poured his heart and feelings out before the Lord; yet, Col. 3:1-3 succinctly tells us to set our hearts and minds on things above - Christ - because it is by our dying to self that he gains pre-eminence in our lives. The emotions seem to exemplify the natural man while dying to self/renewing the mind/heart/will, in order for Christ to rule in us, exemplfies the spiritual.
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