Daily Bread (A Matter Of Opinion?)

[shortlady]

Daily Bread (A Matter Of Opinion?)

Read: Matthew 16:13-20

[Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” —Matthew 16:15

We live in an age dominated by all kinds of public opinion polls. Decisions are being driven by the crowd, and some of that is good. Surveys can inform us about people’s experiences with products, helping us make wiser purchases. Opinion polls can give government officials a sense of how their policy initiatives will be received. While information gleaned is a matter of personal opinion, it can be helpful in shaping decision-making on a variety of levels.

But when it comes to the most important question for all eternity, a public opinion poll cannot give us the answer. We must answer for ourselves. In Matthew 16, Jesus took His disciples to Caesarea Philippi and asked a question about public opinion: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (v.13). The answers were varied, and all were complimentary—but none was adequate. That’s why Jesus then asked His disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” (v.15). Peter got the answer right: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (v.16).

Public opinion can help answer certain questions, but not the one question that will determine your eternity: Who do you say that Jesus is? If you agree with Scripture, and place your trust in Christ, you will have eternal life.


It doesn’t matter what the crowd
Believes about the Lord.
What matters is: Do you believe
What God says in His Word? —Sper


Opinion is no substitute for the truth of God’s Word.

 

[j_sp]

As a Christian, an opinion should be no substitute for the Holy Spirit...which is in agreement with God's Word, Who is Jesus (John 1:1-3; John 1:14; Rev. 19:13). As an opinion is only relying on our own understanding, and oftentimes our carnal nature, instead of His nature...reason without God...the opposite of what we should be doing (Isa. 1:18a; Isa. 41:21; Isa. 43:26). We must be led by the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives, not rely on our own understanding anymore, but His (Prov. 3:5-6; Rom. 8:5-14; John 8:38 - like Jesus). Peter got the understanding of who Jesus was by the revelatory...spoken...living Word of God the Father, which Peter heard spoken to him - which Jesus then went onto say, "Blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied) are you, Simon-Bar Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven." (Matt. 16:17 - Amplified). He was blessed because he heard it for himself...he got revelation for himself of Who Jesus was - as we all must come to the understanding of constantly, as He speaks to us daily, and fulfills it in, with, and around us...revealing Himself to us. Paul spoke about this in Ephesians 4 (Eph. 4:20-23), that we are not to learn Christ like a book (as if He's a book), but come to know Him personally (as a living being because He is alive); so that we are renewed by His power, knowledge, and wisdom that He guides us in daily for His purposes of fulfilling His Truth, led by the Holy Spirit.

Out with the old and in with the new! No longer do we rely on the ways of the world (as that is the lower life - Matthew 10:38-39); but now we rely on the ways of God, which is higher than the worldy ways (Isa. 55:8-9). We should be saying, opinions are no substitutes for Jesus. Since He gave us life through the cross, and left us His Spirit, to do so also...then pick up the cross and drop the opinions, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us - be like Jesus.

j_sp