Not Guilty: Love Paid the Price – Part 4

Zaressa Richardson
1 day ago
5 min read

No appeal needed. Don’t reopen a closed case.

Foundational Verse:"Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies..." Romans 8:33–34

Week 4:

Declared Unworthy → Made Righteous

Welcome back to court, friend.

We’ve reached the final week of our Not Guilty series, and we’re closing with one of the enemy’s heaviest accusations: unworthiness.

At some point in our lives, the enemy has tried to convince each of us that we are too broken, too stained, too inconsistent, or too far gone for God to truly want us. He twists truth just enough to plant doubt, using every failure and flaw to whisper, "You’re not worthy."

But heaven has already issued the verdict. The case was settled at the cross. The blood still speaks. And the Judge still rules in your favor.

So today, we take our seat before the Judge of all creation and watch as every lie of unworthiness is overturned by the righteousness of Christ.

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The Docket Is Open

Court is now in session.

Case Title: The Accuser of the Brethren vs. You

Charge: Unworthy

Filed by: Satan, the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10)

Location: The spiritual realm

Case Study:

Peter – The Shame of Denial

Scripture Reference: Luke 22:54–62, John 21:15–19

The Setup:

Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples. Bold, passionate, and outspoken, he vowed that he would never leave Jesus even if it cost him his life.

Peter’s story really makes me pause and reflect. Besides Jesus, Peter is the only person recorded in Scripture to have walked on water. That kind of faith? That kind of closeness? And still he denied Jesus.

It makes me wonder, what kind of fear had such a grip on him that he was willing to distance himself from the One he once stepped out of a boat to follow?

But when I bring this into 2026 terms, the Lord has shown me my own heart.

I’ve pushed Him aside more times than I can count sometimes knowingly, sometimes unknowingly. I’ve chosen good things over God things.

I’ve prioritized tradition over Kingdom principles. I’ve been a workaholic, chasing productivity for my own validation.

Yes, I gave but I rarely checked in with God about how to steward my time or my money.

And the truth is? I’ve seen Jesus move. I’ve witnessed miracles in my own life. I may not have walked on water but I’ve experienced the supernatural in ways I cannot deny.

And yet I have denied Him. Not always with words but with choices. With silence. With compromise.

So no, I can’t point the finger at Peter. I see myself in him.

The Denial:

When Jesus was arrested, Peter caved under pressure.

Three times, he denied even knowing Jesus. And on the third denial, Scripture says Jesus turned and looked at him.

“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.” (Luke 22:61–62)

That look wasn’t one of condemnation. It was truth piercing through fear. It was love acknowledging failure without rejecting the one who failed.

Peter had failed and he knew it. And so have I. So have many of us.

But the story doesn’t end there.

The Restoration:

Peter had returned to fishing.

Not just as a way to pass the time, but as a quiet declaration of defeat. The very thing Jesus had called him out of he went back to. It’s what unworthiness does. It tells you that your failure disqualifies you. That you're not fit to carry the mantle. That the call must have expired because you messed up.

But Jesus didn’t leave Peter in shame. He came looking for him.

In John 21, after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples on the shore. Peter had been fishing all night. Jesus called out from the shore and told them to cast their net on the other side and when the nets overflowed, Peter recognized the moment. He jumped into the water and ran to Him.

No hiding. No excuses. Just a heart desperate to be close again.

What happened next is beautiful. Jesus cooked breakfast. He sat with Peter. And He addressed the denial not with punishment, but with purpose.

“Simon, son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:15)

Jesus didn’t just forgive Peter. He restored him. He reminded him of his assignment. He re-established his worth.

Peter's failure didn’t void his future.

What God Said:

“You are still Mine.”

“I called you before you failed, and I still choose you after.”

“Your past does not cancel your purpose.”

“You are not disqualified, you are commissioned.”

This is what grace looks like.

Reflection:

Have you ever gone back to something God once called you out of because you felt unworthy to move forward?

Are there places in your life where shame has told you you’re no longer qualified to lead, love, or serve?

Spot the Lie:

Lie: “You’ve failed too badly. God can’t use you anymore.”

Truth: God’s grace is greater than your failure.

Jesus didn't remove Peter’s calling. He reconfirmed it.

He doesn’t shame you for your denial. He restores you for your destiny.

The Verdict:

Not Guilty. You Are Still Chosen.

The enemy tried to label you unworthy. He replayed your lowest moments. He called you disqualified.

But the Judge of Heaven looked at the same evidence and rendered a different verdict.

Not guilty. Still called. Still chosen. Still loved.

Jesus didn’t cancel Peter’s calling after failure, He confirmed it. And He’s doing the same for you.

He’s not asking for perfection. He’s asking for your heart.

He’s asking, "Do you love Me?"

If the answer is yes, the assignment still stands.

Walk in what He gave you, even when it hurts.

Prayer:

Lord, my heart cries out, thank You. Thank You for Your unfailing love. Thank You for never leaving me. Thank You that I am made righteous through Christ Jesus.

Jesus, thank You for coming back for me. Even when I failed. Even when I walked away. Your love is so consistent. It has proven true time after time.

I hear You asking, “Do you love Me?” And my answer is yes.

I surrender the weight of unworthiness. I lay down every lie that says I’m too broken to be used. Remind me that You called me before I ever failed and You still choose me now.

Restore the fire in my heart. Reaffirm my identity. I choose not to return to what You have called me out of. Recommission me to serve, love, and follow You with everything I have.

I receive Your forgiveness. I receive Your grace. And I receive Your call again.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.