The Key Question of All Time

~ The Only Question That Ultimately Matters ~     

In the life of every person there is one question which if answered incorrectly or left unanswered has fatal and eternal consequences. Your answer determines your eternal destiny!

It is a question that Jesus Christ asked Peter in Matthew 16:15. “Who do you say that I am?” Some individuals are only given one direct opportunity to answer correctly. Since you are reading this you have had at least one chance. 

Consider the question within its passage. “Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, ‘Who do men say that I am?’ So they answered, ‘John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘You are the Christ’ (Mark 8:27-29, compare Luke 9:18-20 and Matthew 16:13-19).

There are a number of important things to notice about this passage.

(1) Jesus was asking not just Peter but everyone in the group. Today, Jesus is not just asking a few but everyone—including you. 

(2) There were a number of differing responses given. In a similar way today many answers are given. Some today say Jesus was “a good man,” others say He was “a teacher of what is right,” others reply He was “a prophet,” while others say He was “a founder of a religion.” There are many additional answers which are often given. Jesus Christ gave this emphatic response, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to God but through Me” (John 14:6). 

(3) Jesus zeroed in on the individual and made it clear that knowing what others thought was not the issue. The key question which Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is asking you today is “Who do YOU say that I am?” 

(4) While Peter had many failings—he was a sinner like you and me—he got this most critical answer right! Jesus Christ is the Christ (Messiah). As a result of his response, “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. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock [Jesus Christ—the Messiah] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’” (Matthew 16:13-18).

(5) The Messiah verified Peter’s answer as correct. 

(6) One can only answer correctly if God Himself reveals the answer to him. The Scriptures say that spiritual truth requires spiritual sight—just like natural things are seen through physical sight. The great news is that all those who truly want to know the truth will have their spiritual eyes opened and spiritual truth will be revealed to them.  

(7) Jesus Christ went on to assure Peter that His was a cause which will ultimately win. 

why should you care?  Consider three quotes: “I'd rather lose in a cause that will ultimately succeed, than succeed in one that will ultimately fail” (Abraham Lincoln). “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose” (Jim Elliot). “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? (Luke 9:25).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Identity in Christ, 127

~ I Am One Who Has a Living Hope ~

Introduction  ~  When Christians understand the various characteristics and aspects of the birthright which came with their second birth, they comprehend their identity in Christ.  Once Christians understand their identity, their destiny is also clear!  This series of “Abundant Life Now” posts will look at one of those facets each week. 

This Week’s Verse  ~  “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:3-5).

~~~ EXPLANATORY “IDENTITY IN CHRIST” NOTES ~~~  

(1)  Each Monday ALN posts an example of Scripture’s description of aspects/characteristics of Christians—those who have personally trusted in Jesus Christ, The Messiah, as their personal Savior.

(2)  This series is not intended to be an exhaustive list.

(3)  God the Father described Himself to Moses as the great “I AM” (Exodus 3:14).  God the Son also said “I AM” (John 8:58). 

(4)  Jesus Christ is the Son of God and several times in the Gospel of John He refers to Himself as “I am.”  “I am the Bread of Life” (6:35-51), “I am the Light of the World” (8:12, 9:5), “I am the Door” (10:7-9), “I am the Good Shepherd” (10:11-14), “I am the Son of God” (10:36), “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (11:25), “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (14:6), “I am in the Father, and the Father in Me … Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me” (John 14:10-11), and “I am the True Vine” (15:1-5). 

(5)  Individual Christians are also sons and daughters of God.  This series will show some of the various “I am” aspects of a Christian. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

3 Ls for Father’s

~ Love – Lead – Live ~

Love  ~  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.  ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’” (Ephesians 5:25-31).  In other words strive to imitate the pattern you have been given in the life of Christ. 

Lead  ~  “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.  A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.  Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil” (1 Timothy 3:1-7).  A man should lead his family with love and respect. 

Live  ~  “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia.  But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-12).  In other words live a life of integrity and honesty in all your dealings. 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW