Who Do You Say I Am?

Jesus asks an important question in Matthew 16:15 which every person must answer. "Who do you say I am?" Some day soon, Jesus will be coming back to gather His own. What will He find when He comes? Will you be one of those who go with Him? Do you even know?

I am writing this to all Christians. Recent polls show some very disturbing numbers on some very core and central beliefs of the Christian faith, and tells a sad story about the state of Christianity as a whole body. The fact that many professing Christians no longer believe that Jesus is the only way or that there are many "paths" to heaven, don't believe in hell, and don't believe that Jesus was sinless, is disturbing enough. More so, many of those graduating from Theological seminaries can not place the Gospels in the correct order, if they even know the Gospel authors shows even in our places of religious learning, they are not really learning the Gospel truth. Our churches are full of men and women who claim to be Christian, and are led by men and women who claim to be Christian. I have to wonder. Are they truly followers of Christ? Are you?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

That verse used to scare me. It still does sometimes. The worst thing I could think of is to stand before Christ some day and hear Him say those words to me. It should be a reminder every now and then to all Christians, no matter what denomination we come from or belong to. This message is not for any denomination, as the body of Christ is His church, no matter the denomination.

What makes someone a Christian anyway? Is it that your parents were Christian, so that means you are? Is it because you go to Church? Do you say you are a Christian because you believe in Jesus?
If any of those are your answers, I have some bad news for you. You are not a Christian. I've heard it said, that sitting in a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage would make you a car. Saying you believe in Christ does not make you a Christian any more than it makes Satan and demons Christians because they believe in Jesus as well. And your parent's faith in Christ does not make you a Christian either.

So, how can we know if we are truly Christian? Well, one more question has a lot to do with the answer. How often, if ever, do you read your Bible? You see, one can not understand what being a follower of Christ means, if one doesn't know His Word. His Word is the Holy Scriptures- the Bible. And not only the red letters either. How you see the Bible is a big indicator of your being in a discipleship of Christ. For instance, some people view the Bible as a book of good moral sense, but not much having to do with our modern society. It's quaint, and helpful, gives some good teaching, but pretty much out of date. Some people choose to focus only on the red letters, which were the quoted words of Jesus, but they don't necessarily take the rest as "Gospel truth". Some folks apply the parts they like, but disregard the rest, as if it doesn't apply to our so called enlightened society and they find it offensive.

Do you know that Jesus quoted scripture? Jesus quoted scripture time and again, and since what we call the New Testament was not written during the time of Jesus' earthly life. All of what He quoted was from the Old- most of it written over one thousand years before He came to earth. If He found scripture applicable to society in His time, when things were radically different than when it was written thousands of years before, how is it we can believe that it is not relevant to our society now? The Truth is, the Bible is as important now as it was when it was written. Not only is it important, but it is the Word of God.

Mat 4:4 But he (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

The Gospel of John, in the very first verses of the first chapter, tells us that Jesus IS the Word. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. The verse continues to describe the Word, which is Jesus, In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (John 1:1-6)

Jesus is the Word of God. Scriptures are God's Word to us. Jesus says, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matt35) Which means, His Word will always be true, always be applicable, and always for all.

His Word makes us wise in His ways as we continue to read it every day. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (2Ti 3:15) His Word is for our lives to know how to behave, to learn about Him, and to show by teaching others about Him. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2Ti 3:16) His Word shines like a light into our lives to guide us. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psa 119:105)

If we say we believe in Jesus, wouldn't that mean also we believe everything He says to be true? And remember, I'm not saying only the red letters. Scriptures make it clear that His Word is the Whole Word, and all the scriptures are His Word. How can we know His Words are true? By listening and studying His Word, we know His Word and believe on it. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)

If we don't accept His whole Word, we take the risk of having to face Him in Judgement. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (John 12:48) The Word reject, is taken from the Greek, atheteo, meaning to set aside, violate, cast off and despise. Many people who consider themselves Christians do this as they dismiss scriptures they don't agree with or feel that it doesn't relate to them. His Word is the Whole, and we, if we are true followers of Christ, can not take parts only.

Too many churches and people today focus on the "feelings" of the language of God. That is, love. Somehow the word Love, has come to mean acceptance, peace, and blessings only. Too many people have been taught by prosperity and touchy feely pastors that Jesus loves all, He wants us to have everything, and no mention of sin, except to say God loves all his children, and don't mention discipline. Many believe we are all, no matter the beliefs, God's children and He loves us unconditionally. They believe that if God really loves all his kids, we can choose whatever path which feels right for us to come to Him. While it is true that God loves us, we need to learn what His Word says about these ideas.

Jesus does love the sinner, or He would not have come from His place in Heaven to put Himself on the cross for our sins. Does that mean we can continue in our sin? Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery in John 8:11, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. He continues in John 8:12, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Jesus is the Light of the world. Darkness can not exist in light, and we as followers of Christ can not remain in the darkness of sin if we truly follow Him. This isn't to say we will never ever sin again, we will. But the Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin that we may repent- or turn away from our sin.

Does Jesus want us to have everything or want us to "live our best lives now"? It all depends on Biblical perspective. What we may think is best, may not be what Jesus knows as best. In fact, if one is a true follower of Christ, we should expect to suffer the same as Christ did when He was on earth. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Mat 5:11

Did you catch that? Jesus counts it Blessings to be treated harshly and being persecuted for His sake. Now, I don't necessarily want to be made fun of, be called all sorts of names, be hated and despised, be beaten, imprisoned or tortured and killed- but if it comes to that because of my faith, I will gladly take it and as Jesus said, count it as a huge Blessing. You see, the world hated Him when He was in it. The world Hates Him now. If we are true followers, we will also be hated because of Him. The message of the cross, sin and repentance was, is and will be offensive to most- even many who claim to be Christian.

No one wants to know the way they live is sinful. Whether it be adultery, lying, stealing, coveting, homosexuality, lusting, or idolatry, people will be offended by the message that these are sinful things. When Christians speak about such things, it is considered hateful because people are offended.

Remember the word that said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. (John 15:20) Did you catch that? We are considered servants. We either are servants to the Lord, or servants to sin. Never believe that because you choose to follow Christ, you will not suffer, and things will be wonderful from here on out. His Word shows us otherwise.

Does Jesus love us all? Are we all, no matter who we are, God's children? Again, it depends. Are you listening to the world's version of love or the Word of God? First off, the Bible says God loves the world. John 3:16, that famous, oft quoted verse tells us that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Yes, God loves the world, but you must believe in the Son in order to have everlasting life. Those who do not, will perish. Most people can quote that verse, as it's the most visible. However, rarely can anyone quote what comes next.
John 3:17,18,19 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. These three verses are clear. God does love us, doesn't want any of us to perish, but if we dismiss the gift of Grace through the Son, we are condemned. Again, Jesus is the Light, and darkness can not come into the light. Those who love evil, will not have everlasting life. Evil, is what God says is evil. 1Co 6:9, 10 says, Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived:neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

Seems like a long list, but considering that God is absolute Holiness, and can not tolerate sin, it kind of makes one think. Now, is there no hope for people who practice such things? Read on, 1Co 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

So, once we were all such as these- but those who are true believers in Christ, we are washed of these sins, and in His Word, shall sin no more. That is to knowingly continue in such sin. One more thing here. Notice that the above verses do not say, we are justified by Jesus or Mohammad, or Buddha, or any other- we are justified by Christ, and by the Spirit (I will talk about Him more later!) We are washed by Christ, the only thing that can wash sin away is the Blood of Christ. Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 The book of Acts tells us, Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. It is clear, by the Word of God, that Jesus is the only way, the only name in which everlasting life is gained. By dismissing Jesus, not believing, one is looking at eternity in hell.

Next post we will look at what the Bible says about all people being His Children, hell, Satan and what to do to be saved.