Day 24: Forgiven and Free

Peter knew what it meant to fail. The night Jesus was arrested, Peter—His boldest and most loyal disciple—denied even knowing Him three times. After the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus’ words and wept bitterly (Luke 22:61-62).

In John 21, Jesus meets Peter on the shore with breakfast and forgiveness. Three times He asks, “Do you love Me?”—mirroring Peter’s three denials. Each time, Peter responds, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” And each time, Jesus gives him a calling: “Feed my sheep.”Jesus forgave Peter, freed him from shame, and gave him purpose again.

"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36 ESV).

Many of us live forgiven—but not truly free. We carry guilt from the past, shame over mistakes, or a lingering sense that we have to earn God’s love again. But Jesus came to set us completely free. We are invited to receive forgiveness AND to walk in freedom.

When we stop seeing ourselves through the lens of failure and start living as beloved, redeemed children of God, that freedom changes how we pray, how we speak to ourselves, and how we extend grace to others. Forgiveness says, “You are clean.” Freedom says, “Now go live like it.”

APPLICATION

Name one area where you’ve been carrying guilt or shame. Prayerfully lay it at the feet of Jesus and declare that you are forgiven and free.

• PRAY

Jesus, thank You for forgiving me. Help me walk in freedom—not just forgiven, but fully restored. Amen.

• SAY

I am forgiven and free. Jesus has set me free to live with boldness and purpose.

• ASK

What is one lie guilt has whispered to me—and what truth from Jesus can silence it?