The Miracle Before Repentance

Peter was not in a perfect spiritual state when Jesus called him. He was not a transformed man, yet the Lord worked a miracle through him. This is amazing: God did not wait for Peter to be “worthy” to bless him.

Many times our obedience falters because we feel unworthy or incapable. We think we must first put our life in order before we can serve God. But Peter teaches us something different. He does not say, “Lord, I am a sinner, so I cannot cast the nets.” No, first he obeys, then he acknowledges his condition before Jesus.

This principle is also visible in the call of Isaiah. When the prophet sees the glory of God, he feels lost because of his impurity. But God does not reject him: He purifies him and sends him to fulfill his mission. Holiness is not a requirement to respond to God’s call; it is the result of the encounter with him.

Even Matthew, the tax collector, was far from a perfect man when Jesus called him. Yet, Christ chose him without waiting for a preliminary change. The miracle of grace always precedes sincere repentance.

Peter, after seeing the miraculous catch of fish, falls at Jesus' feet and confesses his unworthiness. But Jesus does not push him away; on the contrary, he calls him to something even greater. This teaches us that God does not wait for us to be perfect to use us. He calls us as we are and then transforms our life.