In Matthew chapter 16, Jesus asked two questions of Peter:
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
Peter responded to the first question by providing the opinions of the masses. Anyone can have an opinion whether it is right or wrong and it is based on experience, philosophy, and/or man’s logic. By their nature, opinions do not have revelation else they would be classified as Truth. Jesus then asked Peter the second question:
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Each of us has a choice of how we respond to such a question. Are we to embrace the Truth or are we to submit to man’s opinions? It matters not what the crowd says, am I going to accept and walk in the revelation set before me? Will I walk by the revelation spoken to me or will I succumb to peer pressure and submit to the demands of the crowd? Do I accept the power of FATHER’S Word in me or do I tow the “party line”?
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Today, I know Jesus and He is in me. I practice His Presence in me and around me. I stand on the Truth in the revelation of Jesus Christ no matter what the opinions of the world would say otherwise. He is in me and His miracle-working power flows not only in me but through me to others. His power in me heals and restores me, It gives me life where death and destruction once prevailed. His Blood redeemed me and He is my Advocate to FATHER whenever I fail. By His stripes I am healed today, not in some distant future. Jesus is the Living Christ, the Anointed One Who has come to live in me. He is alive, He is GOD in my flesh!
I walk worthy of THE LORD, pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing the knowledge of HIM, strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, with all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to FATHER Who has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered me from the power of darkness and conveyed me into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom I have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:10-14)
It is my choice to accept or reject the revelation of Jesus Christ in my life. No one can force me to receive Him or reject Him. No one can truly influence my personal decision, I must decide for myself. I choose my response and am accountable.
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Peter made contact with FATHER and heard HIM. FATHER gave Peter the revelation, he accepted it, and proclaimed it. Jesus now told Peter that he has now become important to the Kingdom for now the revelation will flow through him to others. Jesus declared that His church will be built on this revelation- Jesus IS the Son of GOD made manifest to us so that His power and authority will flow through us to establish the Kingdom. The opposition will not prevail. Those keys have been given to you and me as well, not just Peter. We have received the same revelation which has transformed our lives.
Those keys of the Kingdom function to bind and loosen as the situation requires. Those keys relate to the dynamic power, force, and energy to overcome any opposition to the Kingdom. The use of those keys is determined by our response to the second question posed by Jesus. Yes, we have the right to decide.