Who Do You Say That I Am?

Written by Allan Mitchell for The Life

“ … Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have…” 1 Peter 3:15

One of my most dreaded childhood experiences was when my teacher would ask me a question. Although I often knew the answer, the question paralyzed me because I was unprepared for the scrutiny. In today’s increasingly secular world, many believers experience a similar paralysis when confronted with an intrusive or challenging question about their faith.

Why are so many believers unprepared for the world’s enquiries and inquisitions? Statistics suggest it’s the thriving epidemic of biblical illiteracy. In Matthew 16:15-16, Jesus asks Peter, “Who do you say I am?” Peter responds: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” In Acts 17:3, Paul reiterates: “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” Both men boldly proclaim truth, but their concise answers are the result of divine revelation and intentional, disciplined study of Scripture. They had adequately prepared themselves to proclaim the sovereignty and divinity of the Messiah.

Are you prepared to answer spontaneous enquiries about your faith? Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias observes: “Everyone — pantheist, atheist, sceptic, polytheist — has to answer these questions: ‘Where did I come from? What is life’s meaning? How do I define right from wrong and what happens to me when I die?’ Those are the fulcrum points of our existence.”

In a world desperately seeking answers, believers don’t require a seminary degree to effectively proclaim Christ. They need only willingly prepare their hearts and minds through regularly studying God’s Word so they can effectively proclaim Jesus as the answer the world needs.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of knowing You. May Your Holy Spirit help me to prepare my heart and mind to be Your faithful witness. Empower and equip me with Your Word and grant me favor to effectively proclaim Jesus. Amen.

TAKE ACTION

Choose one of the Gospels to read during the season of Lent. The words of Jesus will help ground your faith so you are prepared to faithfully represent Jesus to a searching and inquisitive world.

Originally published on: https://www.connectingstreams.com/2016/03/07/who-do-you-say-that-i-am/