Who do you say I am?

Your actions towards me when you have choices depends on who you say I am.

I have discovered that the profile you make up about someone, will determine the level of relationship you have with that person and it will also determine the failure or successful management of that relationship for personal development or fulfilment.

Take myself for example, some of my friends or family members call me several names, to some people I am just Femi, to others I am - Prof, Spiritual leader, Businessman, teacher, brother, Engineer etc. I'm probably many other things to many other people.

Whatever profile or name my folks call me, already sets a limit to the kind of relationship we have. For example, no matter how much I try to tell my friend who calls me a businessman that I am also a teacher of the word of God, he/she may find it difficult to believe and may doubt my skills and gifts in that area. Therefore, the day I'm inspired to share a word of knowledge that pertains to his/her life, he or she might not take it serious.

That brings us to the main reason why Jesus asked his disciples in Matthew 16:13 - "Who do people say I am?".

Interestingly, they responded with all kinds of names but none of them fits perfectly into Jesus' profile. He had to ask them to personalize the question - "who do you say I am?"

Have you ever thought about why Jesus would ask such a question and what He is getting at?

It was very important that the disciples got the right identity or profile of Jesus as this would determine the richness of their relationship and especially how best to receive from Him and what to expect from Him.

Thankfully, the Holy Spirit ministered to Simon Peter and he answered "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God" [Matt 16:15].

Jesus can be many things to many people: Teacher, Carpenter, Prophet, Elijah or Messiah etc. but one thing for sure is - If you do not reverence and accept Jesus for who He is as the Messiah, the Son of God, you already set a limit to what He can do for you and how much Grace & favor you can receive from Him.

He is first of all before anything else the Son of God. Every other thing comes after that. That's why he replied Peter that on this truth/revelation of who I am will be the bedrock/foundation of which He will build his church.

"Church not in building but His people."

Every Christian must build their life on the revelation that Jesus is Lord, the son of God and He is the Messiah and this will determine your action when you have choices to do something you are not proud of.

No wonder after the revelation of who He is, He proclaimed with confirmation by giving his disciples/followers/believers the keys to the kingdom of God which is simply an authority to bind and loose, to allow and to dis-allow on Earth and in Heaven. It only belongs to those who have the revelation that Jesus is the King of Kings, the Messiah.

So when you receive Christ as your Lord and personal savior, the Holy Spirit comes to bear witness in your heart and empowers you with the authority to decree and to declare what you desire according to the will of God and have faith it will come to pass.

I will finish with this quote, "Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their relatives and their own family."

If you don't see Jesus for who He is , you may lose out on His continuous supply of Grace and Blessings.

Stay blessed beloved.

Editor: @temzz