Upon this rock...
Reading: Matthew 16:13-28
After Peter's confession of faith in Jesus Christ, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,"
What rock? The man Peter, whom Jesus rebukes in v23, calling him Satan? How about Peter's faith. Peter said quite simply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
In what do you believe? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you have to be immersed? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you have to live a perfect life? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and certain verses do not apply any more because this is 2000 years later? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and musical instruments are not allowed in worship? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and _____ (fill in the blank)?
Jesus praised Peter's confession because it was simple and complete. In John 3:10-21, Jesus lays down the fact of salvation to a Pharisee named Nicodemus. The word "believe" is mentioned three times in the NIV translation of this passage:
People will argue this point saying, "How can you prove you are saved without _____ (fill in the blank)?" To whom do you need to prove your salvation? People? Why? People are not the judge, only Jesus is the judge. You can't fool Him. He knows what is in your heart. You can say all day long, "I believe," but if you do not truly believe, your words are empty.
I tell you the truth from personal experience. If you truly believe, your heart will change. You will not need to manufacture acts of lovingkindness. You will not need to pretend so others will know you are real. The reality will ooze from you like a sweet sweat. Your natural odor will not need to be covered up by perfume. (Note: I am speaking figuratively here!)
With the indwelling Holy Spirit, your desire to disobey will dwindle. Communion with God will reduce your desire to live outside His will. Eventually, as you grow in the Spirit, you will become what God wants you to be. And this all without following any instruction in the Bible except the word "Believe".
With belief comes growth. With growth comes desire. With desire comes holiness and purity. And all you need do is believe. You can't fake it.
The rock is the foundation on which Christ builds His Universal church. The rock is faith. The rock is belief. The rock is common among all believers.
After Peter's confession of faith in Jesus Christ, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,"
v16, NIV
"Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church"vv17-18, NIV
What rock? The man Peter, whom Jesus rebukes in v23, calling him Satan? How about Peter's faith. Peter said quite simply, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
In what do you believe? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you have to be immersed? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and you have to live a perfect life? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and certain verses do not apply any more because this is 2000 years later? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and musical instruments are not allowed in worship? Do you believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God and _____ (fill in the blank)?
Jesus praised Peter's confession because it was simple and complete. In John 3:10-21, Jesus lays down the fact of salvation to a Pharisee named Nicodemus. The word "believe" is mentioned three times in the NIV translation of this passage:
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.Jesus tells Nicodemus that believing is all that is necessary.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.John 3:14-18, NIV
People will argue this point saying, "How can you prove you are saved without _____ (fill in the blank)?" To whom do you need to prove your salvation? People? Why? People are not the judge, only Jesus is the judge. You can't fool Him. He knows what is in your heart. You can say all day long, "I believe," but if you do not truly believe, your words are empty.
I tell you the truth from personal experience. If you truly believe, your heart will change. You will not need to manufacture acts of lovingkindness. You will not need to pretend so others will know you are real. The reality will ooze from you like a sweet sweat. Your natural odor will not need to be covered up by perfume. (Note: I am speaking figuratively here!)
With the indwelling Holy Spirit, your desire to disobey will dwindle. Communion with God will reduce your desire to live outside His will. Eventually, as you grow in the Spirit, you will become what God wants you to be. And this all without following any instruction in the Bible except the word "Believe".
With belief comes growth. With growth comes desire. With desire comes holiness and purity. And all you need do is believe. You can't fake it.
The rock is the foundation on which Christ builds His Universal church. The rock is faith. The rock is belief. The rock is common among all believers.
posted by ClayMan at 6:06 AM
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