Jesus asked His disciples in Matthew 16:13 - 19
What do people think about me?
In other words....
1. People's opinions about us:
It is good to build our testimony among people and measure our lives as per the standard of social life. But do not be bound by the opinions of people. Which means, not to bound yourself by trying to people people and live for the way people want.
Jesus wanted to know what people were thinking about Him but it not for Him to live as they wanted.
If people give us a ranking on our behavior or lifestyle, what can we expect from them?
Secondly Jesus asked His disciples....What do you think about me?
In other words....
2. (Inner circle) Family / close friend's opinions about us:
People are outside our inner circle, they may not give a right opinion about us but our family, or close friends can give a proper opinion about us.
If our friends or family give us a ranking on our behavior or lifestyle, what can we expect from them?
Our family's ranking on us is quite valid than the ranking we get from people outside.
But is that an absolute opinion that we need to base our lives upon? NO NOT AT ALL!!
Then we come to the next point, Peter replies to Jesus and says "You are the Son of the Living God"
Is that Peter's opinion? NO not exactly!! It was not Peter's opinion but it was revealed by God the Father.
Which takes us to the next point...
3. God's opinion about us:
God's opinion is always 100 % accurate. Because He knows us from inside out. His opinion on us is even much more better than the opinion we have for our own-selves. We really cannot say how good we are but God can.
How do we understand God's opinion about us?
It is very simple, we can understand ourselves in the light of God's Word.
Whatever the Word of God says we are, that's what we are, not what we think we are, not what our family says we are, not what people say that we are, not even what the devil says we are.
WE NEED TO BUILD OURLIVES ON THE OPINIONS OF GOD WHICH IS ON THE WORD OF GOD!!
Be Blessed!!
Always grateful,
- Peter Naveen, India
