Being With Jesus

Question:  Are you so different that people can tell that you have spent time with Jesus?  The Bible says, “If any man be in Christ he is a new creation, the old things have passed away and all things are become new.” Is this what is happening in your life?  Only you know if something has taken place within you that has radically changed you to the point that people see the difference.

What about your speech, has it changed or is it still somewhat colored and pretty much the same?  Have you ever been dubbed the “Preacher” or the “Jesus freak” from your friends or those you come in contact with?  Have you ever been persecuted and insulted because you live a godly live?  Have your perspectives changed as far as conforming to the world and its customs?  Are you being transformed by renewing your mind, reading and studying the Word of God?  Are you letting your light shine in a dark, lost and dying world?

When the Lord saved you by His grace He made an investment into your life, has He gained any interest?  I am thinking about the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14–30.  It is talking about money but I also think you can relate this to the spiritual realm and also spiritual gain.  Every Christian has been given, not only talents, but gifts as well and what we have received we need to honor the Lord with.  

What about your salvation, are you excited about what the Lord has done for you and in you?  Have you shared with others what has happened to you including non-Christians and not just your friends?  How many so-called friends have you lost because of your testimony?  How many people will be in heaven because of you and what the Lord has done in your life, or are you a Christian in word only and your actions don’t show it so that others are not affected by it?  If you have claimed to be a Christian for a while and your life hasn’t taken on a noticeable change, maybe you need to exam yourself to see if you are really in the faith.  How are your prayer life and your devotional times coming, are they still vibrant or almost nonexistent?  Are you putting on the Armor of God or are you battling in your own strength?  

These questions are very important to all of us who claim to be Christians. Let’s read what the Sanhedrin said about Peter and John in the book of Acts while Peter was preaching after the day of Pentecost.  In Acts 4:13 it says, “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”  Taken from the NIV Bible!

Do you have the boldness and courage that Peter and John had?  When people see you do they know that you have spent time with Jesus?  If not maybe you need to repent of your sins and tell the Lord you are sorry.  Ask Him to forgive you and be the Lord of your life and stop ‘playing’  Christian or maybe you need to rededicate your life to the Lord.  Something to think about, have a great day!  God bless and don’t forget to praise and thank the Lord for He inhabits our praise and He is worthy.