WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
John 18:33-34; Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus answered him, Say thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
I greet you this day in the name of Jesus the Christ, and I write this to you as well as myself. I will be very concise in this, and I pray that the Lord of heaven give you a wisdom beyond me and an understanding beyond this letter.
Today, if I ask you about Jesus whom over half of the world professes Messiah, what will you say and to what extent will your faith reply.
This message is to help you review your stand in Christ and what you think you know of Him. Most of us were born into “Christian homes” and a foundation was laid for most of our thoughts today and how we access God, in other wise, some attended schools that shaped their beliefs, some attended “churches” and the belief system was sown into their lives. It is safe to say that most of what we know today was sown into our thoughts by society and our immediate environment consciously or unconsciously.
As we grow older, more interactions happen; some challenge certain belief systems to follow another, some simply become free thinkers, some become confused, some do not care anymore…in fact, there is a whole dynamics to what every man holds on to, but no matter what you believe today, there is a foundation carrying it; either through parenthood or environment.
Even the Bible, over the years has been subjectively perceived because of course from study, certain humans put certain texts together and made it “special and holy”, and none of us actually dare try to question its words; yes, I just said so, not because we naturally believe in it, but because of what we hear and see, at a point, we were made to believe that if set on fire, it will not burn; “every sect of life has a holy book also compiled by humans and made ‘divine’, so why should the Bible be superior in any sense, when even the catholic church clearly can be seen to sometimes contradict the Bible which itself is the progenitor.
Of course, Pentecostals, evangelicals, protestants, spiritual and whatever names divide an establishment or organization in this course are seen to carve out what they independently see as just and true. But will God write or speak to confuse us?
So, I should not blame anyone for whatever they believe and hold onto, because from what is written above, if I was born in a Muslim home, I might today be a staunch defender of Islam; if I was born in a pagan home, I probably will be a proud practitioner, and listening to other people’s belief may seem to me like heresy, except of course, like Simon the magician the amaze me with certain events I cannot contain.
Jesus Christ of Nazareth, asked Pilate if what He says about Him is what he conjured from his mind or what other people have said. See Pilate’s reply;
John 18:35; Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Pilate knew nothing about Christ, just as we were born blank slates on matters of the gospel, he only became aware after listening to the Chief priests, who are seen as authorities on matters of the Jewish God; you and I also got to know this God, after listening to certain Men who are seen as authorities on matters of God and Christ.
Now, before I write on Peter’s experience which is the core message here, the major lesson to learn from Pilate was he did not jump into conclusions, but tried to sought the truth and though his hands were tied regarding the matter, he saw something was wrong somewhere.
John 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
Pilate was questioning the “authorities” who were supposed to have a final say and lead the people and yes! Some things do not add up. Was Pilate wiser than God’s people? Well think about it.
So you and I have heard what people who claim to be authorities are saying as none of us was present when they received their ‘authority’, we are only assuming by faith that they are true and correct. Sorry, but they may not be! There is only one way to get the truth, Peter was not rolling on the floor when he got this truth, neither was he in any uncomfortable position nor behaving weirdly. Jesus also simply asked as I am asking now;
Mat 16:13-17; When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
In this New Year and beyond, you need to pause and reflect what your belief is centered on, what they have said or what God is saying. Do not be sentimental in this review and keep on praying that you indeed is convinced from a stand point of Peter, or else you may be entangled in a false righteousness.
Finally consider these scriptures. Completely read Matthew 23.
Mat 23:3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.
Mat 23:5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Mat 23:6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Mat 23:7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Mat 23:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mat 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
I leave you to make conclusions as to what this entire words mean through the help of the Holy Ghost.
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