To Live is Christ — nothing or no one else

The identity of Christ cuts lines. Some thought He was a prophet. Peter declared Him as the Christ, the Son of the living God. Does it matter which side of the line a person is on?

When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 16:13–17)

Those who thought Him a prophet didn’t listen to Him. Just as they treated the prophets before Him, when they didn’t like what He said, they killed Him.

A few had a revelation from God, like Peter. God opened their eyes to His identity as the Christ, the Son of the living God, and they listened and followed Him, serving Him and giving their lives for what they believed.

Today, some deny He even existed, or that He is a myth, or the “spirit” or essence of a cosmic ideal. Some acknowledge Him as a prophet, or a good man. Others may say He is God’s son in the sense that God created Him like He created the rest of us. Those who think these things about Jesus may curse His name when life isn’t as they want it. They may dismiss Him and ignore Him. Even if they hold some respect for Him, they still do their own thing and make up their own rules. He is not the center of their lives, nor their God who directs them.

Today, those who believe that Jesus is God have been transformed. Transformed does not mean perfect, but it does mean new life demonstrated by new thinking, changed speech, and a turnaround way of doing things. Some experience a dramatic change, like American Chuck Colson and the Canadian, Serge LeClerc. Others are unnoticed by most of the world, yet quietly serve this Man we know is God. Like Christ, we are maligned and misunderstood, but we are totally convinced that the One we serve is God the Son.

Those religions who claim to be Christian yet deny His deity may live “good” lives, as do many from other faiths. However, without the renewing power of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling presence of Jesus, no one can go beyond good and be godly. Without faith in the genuine Jesus, no one can please God.

Further, we need God to reveal to us the true nature of Jesus. Apart from that, we cannot see the glory of God that He came to reveal to us. Also, we need the blood of Christ to cover our sin and the power of Christ to do the will of God. We need God’s transforming and renewing grace to live for Him.

Apart from Christ, I am helpless and left with my own sinful ways. Apart from Christ, I would make up my own religion and do my own thing. Apart from Christ, my life is not God’s but my own. Without Him, I am nothing.