Identity Crisis: WHO IS A CHRISTIAN? – Part 2

October 8

Matthew 16:15-17 KJV
[15] He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? [16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus was identified as John the Baptist who in his own class was a great person, he was also identified as other great prophets such as Elijah and Jeremiah but he was not carried away. People will identify you based on what they see you do or what they can relate with. This may be wrong or right but the question is do you really know who you are? Jesus had a clear understanding of his identity and when Peter mentioned this he responded thus:

Matthew 16:17-19 KJV
[17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. [18] 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. [19] 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.

Flesh and blood that is your environment and what your five senses can relate with do not have the capability to give you full insight into your true identity, it must come by revelation. Our five senses can only relate to the physical and not the spiritual. Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one and his anointing, and by this revelation, he confirmed to Peter that your were called Simon (meaning unstable) but I call you Peter (petros) meaning a piece of Rock and on upon this Rock (Petra) or revelation I will build my Church (interpreted as Ekklesia) meaning the called out ones or the chosen ones and that is who we are. Let me just explain this in clear terms, when the identity of who Christ is becomes revealed to you, he will reveal to you who you are. Jesus told Peter, you are a small rock cut out of the big rock “Petras” The rock of ages. Your identity must be found in Christ Jesus and upon such revelation; no gate of hell can withstand you. Gate signifies access. When you understand your identity in Christ you will enjoy undeniable access. Even the devil cannot stop or prevail against you.

For further study:
1 Peter 2: 5, 9-10

Personal declaration for the day:
I am identified with Christ therefore I am valuable and have a blessed status.

Questions for you to reflect on:
Have you taken up your identity in Christ?
What have you done with it?