Matthew 16:13–16 – 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.”

THEME OF THE DAY: LIFE’S MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION. It is the question of all questions. How it is answered has ramifications in this life and for eternity. And it is answered by every single person, not by words, but far more importantly by lifestyle. The question comes from the Lord Jesus and is personal. He asked His disciples, and each of us, “Who do you say that I am?” The Apostle Peter gives the correct answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And I would assume and hope every one of us reading today’s nugget would answer likewise. Yet, I want us to do a little soul-searching together around life’s most important question in the form of “If, then” statements. This is a good exercise to do, even daily, as we prepare to live out the Christian life for Christ’s glory and our good.

First, if we profess Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, then our lives will be marked by an increasing practice of Him as our Master and we, His submissive servants. What this means is we should be seeing and experiencing an increase of intentional obedience to His commands (John 14:15). As God, Jesus came to free us from sin to enable us to love God which is always in the context of our glad obedience to His commands. Don’t fall prey to the self-deception of a passive Christian life. The Christian life is an aggressive life of purposeful obedience to God’s revealed will in His Word. This is how we show Him our love by an obedience that is a delightful privilege, not a fearful burden (1 John 5:3). We are saved to be under the Mastery of Jesus Christ to do His will. Remember the Christian life is not just knowing, but doing. It is an active life of obeying known commands.

Next, if we profess Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, then our worldview and interpretation of world events comes from heaven, not earth (Hebrews 11:13-16). This is quite contemporary in its application. We need not stress out, worry, or even argue about the unfolding of political events in our country. We know God is sovereign and rules in the affairs of men and nations. He is still on the throne despite the increasing immorality and godlessness ravaging our country. And our “savior” will not come by way of human elections, but by the One who exercises sovereign control over all things. As our Lord, we trust Him as the King of Kings, but don’t think that means our country will be spared. I believe we are under divine judgment in many ways, and God may continue to turn us over to ourselves bringing our nation to total collapse (Romans 1:18-32). Whether He does or not, if we profess Jesus is the Christ, our worldview comes from Him, not what we see with our eyes.

Finally, if we profess Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, then our goals, desires, and purposes in life center around the eternal, not the temporal. That means we parent Christ-centered, we work on our marriages Christ-centered, we perform our vocations with a work ethic that is Christ-centered, we faithfully serve and attend our churches Christ-centered and we live in our homes and communities driven by and passionate for the Gospel to be lived and proclaimed.

So, take a few moments and answer the question asked by Jesus, “Who do you say that I am?” but answer with an evaluation of how we are living and thinking in the world around us, not just with our words of profession.

PRAYER: “Father, may I answer Your Son’s question by a life of loving and sacrificial obedience to Him as Lord.”

QUOTE: “If Christ is Lord of our lives, then our lives are oriented around Him as Lord of our lives.”