O Blessed Savior, You ask every person the same question that You asked Your Apostles … “who do you say I am?” It is the question that each of us must make a decision about if we are to become a part of Your Everlasting Kingdom. When considering that question, some said You were a re-incarnation of John the Baptist, others Elijah and still others one of the other prophets. It wasn’t until Peter answered the question “you are the Christ of God” that we were given the answer to the test. My faith in You, as My Lord and Redeemer, goes beyond knowing what others believe. It requires that I form a personal relationship with You as My God and Savior. When asking the question “who do you say I am”, You are wanting me to make a commitment to You and take a stand with You. Satan and the world will try to seduce me away from You, but I must pay no attention to their seductive appeals.
In surrendering my life to You, I must realize that I have been crucified with You and the old me no longer lives, but the new me in its place with You dwelling inside. If I died, then my sins died with me and I am no longer condemned. My new life has connected us as one forever. Therefore, the life that I now live, and walk out each day, is done through the faith I have in You. I can never lose sight of the fact that since I’ve been crucified with You, I have also been raised to new life with You. I’ve been set free to grow into Your likeness. In the resurrection power I inherited from You, I am able to resist the power of sin which had previously ruled my life. Thank You for never letting me lose sight of the fact that I am not alone because You dwell in me. You are my ever-present strength to live out each day victoriously and my hope for the future.
As Your servant, I must be willing to take up the cross assigned to me and follow You or I am not worthy of being called a Christian. Because I sometimes follow You unquestioningly and, at other times, I’m reluctant … a conflict within inevitably arises. However, if I choose to take up my cross and follow Your leading, the things that try to hold me back fade away. Your cross calls me to a higher mission of service and pushes me away from fleshly yearnings for comfort and ease. In taking up my cross, I must be willing to publically identify with You … willing to experience almost certain opposition … and, willingly commit facing whatever I must go through for Your sake. Clinging to the world causes me to forfeit the best from You in this world and in the next. The more I love the world, the more I experience how empty a life it offers. That is why I can never forget who You are. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!!
Luke 9:20 “But what about you?” he said. “Who do you say I am?” Peter Answered, “The Christ of God”.