Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah!” Matthew 16:16
Peter did not come to this confession of faith suddenly. He had been in the company of Jesus for eighteen months. Faith in Jesus had been forming; convictions about Jesus had been settling.
Faith is formed by walking with Jesus, and it may be that for some time faith has been forming in you. This was a decisive moment in Peter’s journey of faith—blessing came to him when he confessed faith in Jesus. Faith in Jesus, however faltering, will always bring blessing.
Imagine a woman telling you about her journey to faith. She learned some Bible truths from her father growing up, but she never made a commitment. She had been loosely connected to various churches over the years, but she remained on the fence.
Then one night she had a harrowing experience in which she was aware of the protection of God. The following morning, she got into a taxi, when some words pressed into her mind and heart: “Tell the cab driver that you believe in Jesus.”
Not being able to shake off these words, she leaned over reluctantly and said to the driver, “I don’t normally do this, but I want to tell you that I believe in Jesus.”
It may be that you have never told anyone that you believe in Jesus. But God has been opening your eyes and softening your heart, and you have come to the place where you believe:
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)
In confessing, you will be blessed.
Here is your invitation: tell someone, “I believe in Jesus.” Who will it be?
Written by Colin Smith
Read by Sue McLeish
www.openthebible.org.uk
