How are you recognized? Would someone who didn’t know you, but spent 5 minutes with you, know that you are a believer in Jesus Christ without you telling them?
Jesus said we were to be different. And no, he didn’t mean weird and un-relatable, but he meant that our actions would speak louder than our words ever could. Do we say we’re a Christian but don’t look any different than the world?
Say that all your friends and coworkers and peers know that you go to church, but you cuss the same as them, talk behind people’s backs or join in on the insults, lose your temper often and – all in all – don’t really seem any different than them.
BUT say that you spent time in the PRESENCE of Jesus daily and that His glory and His character rubbed off on you during that time. That wherever you went His love dripped off of you when you dealt with people and anyone could tell you were different. Or when you got bad news everyone expected you to feel angry and lost, but instead you were hopeful and trusting in Jesus and FULL of joy – because you knew the God you served can do anything and because this life here is temporary – but eternity with Him is worth the struggles you’ll face. Then they’d ask why you have hope; why you always have joy, why you care so much about others, and on.
But that type of character only comes from times you’ve BEEN WITH JESUS. So. How do they recognize you?
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:13 NLT
Jesus said we were to be different. And no, he didn’t mean weird and un-relatable, but he meant that our actions would speak louder than our words ever could. Do we say we’re a Christian but don’t look any different than the world?
Say that all your friends and coworkers and peers know that you go to church, but you cuss the same as them, talk behind people’s backs or join in on the insults, lose your temper often and – all in all – don’t really seem any different than them.
BUT say that you spent time in the PRESENCE of Jesus daily and that His glory and His character rubbed off on you during that time. That wherever you went His love dripped off of you when you dealt with people and anyone could tell you were different. Or when you got bad news everyone expected you to feel angry and lost, but instead you were hopeful and trusting in Jesus and FULL of joy – because you knew the God you served can do anything and because this life here is temporary – but eternity with Him is worth the struggles you’ll face. Then they’d ask why you have hope; why you always have joy, why you care so much about others, and on.
But that type of character only comes from times you’ve BEEN WITH JESUS. So. How do they recognize you?
“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”
Acts of the Apostles 4:13 NLT