But Whom Say Ye That I Am?

Are you pulling a Peter?

The World will tell you there are many ways to Heaven. The World will tell you that if you say Jesus is the only "Way, the Truth, and the Life," you are a Hateful, Bigoted, Homophobic, Chauvinistic, Simple Minded, Close Minded, Fool, that hates anyone that does not look like, think like, or believes the way you do. The World will tell you that Jesus was a GREAT teacher. Compassionate, Leader, Philosopher, or whatever. They will tell you Jesus would not condemn anyone. Judge anyone. He would Love everyone regardless of how they live their lives.The World will tell you there is NO difference in "Christianity" and any other Religion out there.

You see, this is not new. We have historical Proof, that a Man named Jesus, actually lived. We have Proof that He lived when and where the Bible tells us. There is no doubt about it. But who was He? Even when Jesus was still walking among us, while He was performing miracles and teaching Salvation, the World acknowledged He was here, but not who He actually was..

{Matthew 16:13-19}

"When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets."

The World will still say these things. They will still denounce Him and His Godhood. They will still reject that HE is the Door. He is Salvation. He is the Lord of Lords. The World will still reject His true person. But then He asked them directly....

"He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?"

Of course you know the answer. Peter said who He was and Jesus made that famous statement...well, here keep reading...

"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Now remember this moment. This is where Peter got his name Peter, This is where many mistakenly think Jesus appointed Peter to be the first Pope. Not true. But this is also one of the biggest events in history, and most definitely in Peter's life.

Just like Peter, you believe,,,

{John 3:16-18}

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 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."

Just like Peter, you believe,,,

{John 10:1-18}

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

Just like Peter, there is no doubt in your mind at all, that

{John 14:6}

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

However, when the World came to Peter, and asked him, are you "one of them?" He said “Woman, I do not know him.” Then again, the World came to him and asked if he was "one of them." He said “Man, I am not.” A third time, the World came to Peter, and a third time Peter denies Jesus Himself.. “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.”

Remember, not too long before this, Jesus actually GAVE Peter his name. Jesus actually said to Peter,

 "upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

This is the same Peter that walked on water with Jesus. The same Peter that was there and witnessed the Miracles first hand. The same Peter that became one of the "Greatest Saints" to ever walk the Earth. The Same Peter that people felt his very Shadow would heal them.

Yet? When the World came to him, and asked, Who is this Jesus? DO you believe He is Lord? Are you "one of them." Peter denied and rejected Jesus and his person. Make no mistake about it folks. The World IS going to come to you. The World WILL ask you, "Who is this Jesus? Do you believe He is Lord? Do you believe He is the only way? Are you 'one of them?'"

Oh, the World may come to you in the form of an enemy. However, it may come to you in the form of a loved one. A lover. A Child. A Parent. A Boss. A Long Time Friend. Someone you just became interested in. Oh, the World consists of all these people. Some will hate you. Some will reject you. Some will think bad things of you. If you tell the Truth, "YES." Jesus IS Lord. YES. Jesus IS the only way. YES. I AM 'one of them.'"

You could lose the relationship. You could get fired. You could, in a growing increased number of reasons, you could even get arrested. When the World comes to you, and asks you, "Are you one of them" What do you say? When Jesus looks into your eyes, and He asks you "But whom say ye that I am?"What do you say? "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." {Romans 1:16}

Are you willing to take a stand for Jesus? Are you willing to stand for the Truth. Are you willing to tell someone the only Truth that could possibly Save their very Soul? Or are you going to pull a Peter? The World will tell you Jesus is anything but what He actually is. He knows what the World thinks of Him. He was here. He was abused. He was Tortured. He hung on a Cross for you. He wants to know "But whom say ye that I am?"

Are you a Child of God? Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. {2 Corinthians 13}

Until next time, be Blessed, be a Blessing, and Jesus IS Lord..