“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29)
When asked this question, those who do not know Him may say He was a great teacher, a prophet, or a spiritual guide for our lives.
How we answer this question, as believers, says much about our faith. The Apostle John writes, “This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God…” (1 Jo 4:2).
John says if you have the spirit of God in you, there is no question as to how you would see Jesus. You would say He is the Christ, just as Peter did when asked the question. Or you might say He is my Messiah, my Savior, and my Lord.
Testing the Spirit
Driving home one evening, I remember listening to this gentleman on the radio. He was trying to tell us how spiritual he was. I could tell he was not a Christian, even though he posed as one.
I decided to call him and give him the spiritual test. So I dialed the station’s number and they put me on the air. I said, “I have but one question for you. Here is my question: “Who is Jesus?” His answer: “Jesus was the great teacher, a guide, an example for all mankind.” Now I don’t remember if those were his exact words, but he called Jesus everything but His Savior and Lord.
I then said, “Sir, you are no Christian. You failed the test.”
Recently, I have heard people, who profess to be ministers or want to be world leaders, give their take on Jesus. When asked if Jesus is the only way, their answers were basically the same, “I don’t know.” Or “I think there are many routes to heaven,” or “God only knows.”
You see, those who are true Christians will not hesitate when asked, “Who is Jesus?” They know Jesus. They know who He is. They know He is the only way. There can be no doubt in their mind. Of course, some politicians or officials might try to hide behind a pluralistic answer so as not to offend voters. And I am sure this happens. However, when they do this, they heap public shame on the name of Jesus. And in doing so, they publicly denounce His Lordship. And Jesus says those who deny Me, I will deny. Yes, it is easy to profess Christianity when nothing is on the line. However, answering this question, when everything is on th line, tests our true faith. And how we answer it will reveal what’s really in our hearts.
No one, who names the name of Jesus as his or her Savior can say it any other way. When asked the question, “Who is Jesus.” Their response is “The Christ”, “The Messiah”, “My Lord and my Savior.” And if asked if He is the only way to heaven, their answer is always and unapologetically, “Yes!”
How can we know this? How can we know He is the only way? Jesus tells us. He does not leave this truth to chance. We do not have to doubt it and say say we do not know, maybe or God only knows. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). How can it be any plainer than this.
Some might say this is exclusive. It is. Some may say it is left up to one’s interpretation. It is not. Still others might say this was misinterpreted. It was not.
If He is the Messiah and the Savior. If He is the only Way. Then how can any believer hesitate to answer or dance around the “Who is Jesus” question?
In this world, people want to appear tolerant and so they create their own truths to satisfy their need for acceptance and live their lives the way they want to live, without regard to the truth. They want to believe there are many ways to heaven. They want to believe all religions are the same. They want to believe we all serve the same God. They want to believe everyone, but Hitler, goes to heaven. They want to believe they can live like the devil and call Jesus their friend. They want to believe God is love and a loving God would never send nice people to hell. They want to believe their goodness will save them. They want to believe they are not to offend anyone by telling people about the cross.
Let them believe these. They have the right to believe what they want to believe and Jesus has the right to keep them out of heaven, because He left nothing to interpretation when He said, “I am the way…and no one comes to the Father except through me.”
The time is coming when we will no longer be able to profess Christ publicly in this country. We will have to make a stand for our faith. We will have a choice to make, either to remain silent and deny Christ as the only way or proclaim Him to be “the Savior” and suffer the consequences. Yes, there will come a time when claiming Christ will cost us monetarily and physically. The question is, will we dance around the question and be politically expedient or will we proudly proclaim His name?
So, when that day comes and someone asks you “Who is Jesus” how will you respond?
Exercise
• Explain who Jesus is
• Explain how one enters heaven
• Explain what Peter meant when he said, “You are the Christ.”
• Explain the “test” for salvation
Prayer: God, I know your Son is my Savior. I believe He is the Christ, the Messiah. I trust Him and put my faith in Him that He will deliver me to Heaven’s gate. Lord, let me always answer with boldness, when asked the question, “Who is Jesus?” Never let me falter or dance around the answer, but allow me to proclaim boldly, “He is the Christ.” “He is My Lord.” “He is my Savior.” “He is the Way.”
Other Articles and Resources:
I posted this article because it offered a wide variety of discussion on the subject. Do we live an a pluralistic society? Yes, we do. Are we to be pluralistic in our faith? No we are not. Are we to proclaim Jesus as the only way? Yes, we are to do this.
Anyway, I thought you might enjoy the various thoughts on this subject.
Author: Lynn E. Sheldon
http://godfire.org
Author writes and distributes discipleship material and articles to train believers in the Word.
The Holy Bible, New International Version, Copyright and Usage Information, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires the permission of International Bible Society.
Popularity: 1% [?]
