Who Do You Say That I Am

 "When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, 'Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?' So they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'"  - Matthew 16:13-17

I was reading an article about the struggle the Taliban government in Afghanistan is having in finding a place among the other Arab nations. It seems that many Arab nations are moving toward the center with respect to international relations - becoming more accepting of "infidels" and their cultural norms. The article went on to say that "Among Arab youth, for example, only 34% saw religion as central to their identity last year, according to a PSB Insights poll. That is down from 40% compared with the previous year. In addition, more than two-thirds of those between ages 18 and 24 want reform of religious institutions." That means that the majority 76% do not have their faith as their central identity.  What that means is that 76% of the young Arabs embrace the culture over their religion. 

So what does this have to do with Matthew 16? I am getting to that. 😊When Jesus asked the Disciples who the people thought Jesus was, they said a prophet. Well that is who the Muslims and many other religions say Jesus is. Even in our culture - I would hazard a guess that most people would acknowledge Jesus as being a significant person in the history of civilization. 

In the United States a recent survey said that 70% of the population identifies as Christian - Protestant or Catholic. That is about 247,500,000 people. The majority of the population in this country.  Does is feel like that is true? 

To that majority of the population of this country, I would ask, "Who do your say Jesus is?" If He is no more than a prophet or a teacher - then He may have an opinion - but so does everyone else. But if He is "the Christ, the son of the Living God", well that changes things. Let's say that what is happening in the Arab countries with respect to religious conviction is also representative of that is happening in the United States. That would mean that only 34% of the people (84,150,000) who identify as Christians see religion as central to their identity. In other words - identify with Jesus as Lord. That affects how they live and what they believe as right and wrong. If you think that this is a Christian nation because of religious words in our founding documents - perhaps not. If those numbers are even close then they represent 25% of the population of the United States, minority of the population, who identify their Christian faith as central to their identity - not their culture.  

So what is the "so what"? People who believe that the Bible is the Word of God - by "believe" I mean embrace it and live by it actually represent a minority in this country, almost a silent minority. That being said why would you be surprised when cultural norms that are clearly contrary to the Bible are embraced as normal by the majority? Getting the picture?

"Jesus answered and said to him, 'If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.'" - John 14:23-24

You are familiar with the phrase "Words are cheap." We can identify as Christians, but the proof is revealed in how we live, how we love, and what Truth we embrace. What about the remaining 66% of the people who identify as Christians? Let the Bible answer that.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [riches or money]." - Matthew 6:24

It is a big assumption that all of the 163,350,000 people are born again.  As you know, just because you identify as something other than you are does not make it so.  Being religious or thinking about God occasionally does not cut it. We are saved by faith - not by filling out a form.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself (identify with Jesus and not the culture), and take up his cross, and follow Me.'" - Matthew 16:24

Our responsibility is to be light and salt - I hope you can see important that is in these spiritually perilous times.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone