journey onWord with us

We are all confronted by this disease. We don’t like it, but no matter what we do it seems to creep into the deep recesses of our mind and rear its ugly head. Don’t worry; I am not saying we are all mentally ill. But we all do struggle with this common malady. So what is this devastating disease (excuse my overstatement)? Simply stated, it is caring too much about what others think of us. Without much effort, we all position ourselves to look the best, to receive praise, to be admired, to gain the attention of someone who we feel is very prominent and the list could go on…..And for what?  Because we all tend to struggle with being accepted, viewed in the best way and having value in the sight of others. We all care about what people are saying about us.

For all Christ-followers, value comes from Him, and our goal should be to reflect Him. In seeking value and self-worth in other ways, we will not reflect His grace, but our own pride. The critical issue is: not what people are saying about me, but who do people say that Christ is. That’s the eternal question. One day when Christ and the disciples were many miles removed from Jerusalem, in a region strongly identified with various religions, He initiates the discussion.

Matthew 16:13-17
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

Peter confessed You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. In a land of various religions and pagan superstition, Peter confessed Christ. Today, we live in a world of various religions and the subtle philosophy that all roads lead to heaven. WRONG! Heaven is a destination that comes only through Christ. Paul, in Romans 10 declared: because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

If you have confessed Christ as your Lord and Savior, how are you reflecting Him? We all get caught up in that disease of positioning ourselves in the best way. But for Christ followers, the most important issue should never be: what are people saying about me, but am I reflecting who He is? … the Son of the living God, who died for our sins and rose again! There are absolutely people in your world that need the Savior. Be appropriately bold in declaring that there is only one way to heaven, through the Son of the living God.

Today, at work or at home (or where ever this article finds you) look around. Who do the people God has in front of your today say that Christ is? The answer to that question matters for their eternity. Is there someone you can pray for today, while reflecting the Truth and sharing His love?

The challenge/encouragement of what I have written today is directed to those who have already put their faith and trust in Jesus, and have accepted Him as their personal Savior.  But I would be wrong to miss the invitation to those who are reading who have not.  There is one who always accepts and loves you as you are.  The same one that gave his life for you.  The one who relentlessly pursues you in love.  That one is Jesus.  If you would like to know more about Jesus, his love for you and the relationship he so desperately wants with you, please contact us at journeyonwordwithus@gmail.com.