Bible Devotions for Living

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (Mt 16:13-16) (Also Mk 8:27; Lk 9:18-20)

Jesus asked this very straightforward question … “who do you say that I am?” Your heartfelt answer to that question shows whether you are a true believer in Him or not. Don’t be deceived into thinking you’re saved because you go to church or even do good works in Christ’s Name. There are many people who think they’re believers in Christ who aren’t:

²¹ “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. ²² On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ ²³ Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’” (Mt 7:21-23)

Who do you say Jesus is?

Here is how Scripture describes Him.

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is My beloved Son; listen to Him!” (Mk 9:7)

Jesus said to them, “I assure you: Before Abraham was, I am.” (Jn 8:58)

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn 14:6)

let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy. ¹¹ This Jesus is the stone rejected by you builders, which has become the cornerstone. ¹² There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.” (Acts 4:10-12)

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. ²⁶ Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:25-26)

… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; ¹⁰ for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Rom 10:9-10 – NASB)

¹³ Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village calledEmmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. ¹⁴ Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. ¹⁵ And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them  …  ²⁵ He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken! ²⁶ Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer these things and enter into His glory?” ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. (Lk 24:13-27)

Therefore, He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them. (Heb 7:25)

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” (Mt 16:16)

Jesus is the Savior, God, and God’s Son!

If you do NOT believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior, consider what Scripture says. The Old Testament prophesied about Him in hundreds of different ways so we would recognize the True Savior when He arrived. Faith in Him is the only way to be saved and enjoy life in Heaven forever. There is no other Savior. There is no other way to be reconciled to God. You can’t earn your salvation since it is a gift given when you put your faith in Jesus alone to save you.

I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing. (Gal 2:21)

⁸ For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— ⁹ not from works, so that no one can boast. (Eph 2:8-9)

Examine yourself

Do you truly believe that Jesus is the Son of God sent to earth to die for your sins?

Do you believe that He died on the cross taking the punishment for your sins?

Do you believe He was resurrected physically and is alive and sitting at the right hand of the Father?

Do you believe that He is the ONLY way to be saved and that you cannot do it yourself?

Who do you say Jesus is?

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless you fail the test (2 Cor 13:5)²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. ²⁶ Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11:25-26)