(The following is the May 9 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Acts 4 and pay close attention to verses 5-13.)
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaimed the gospel to Jewish leaders, holding them accountable for Jesus’ crucifixion. He preached about Jesus’ resurrection, and that salvation is in Christ alone. “When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus” (v. 13).
What a wonderful compliment that non-Christians recognized those testifying about Christ as having been with him. Oh, that such was the case with all Christians today. How obvious is it to others that we have been with Jesus? Is it evident, or do we hide it to blend in with the world so much that we look no different than unbelievers?
We are around other people and interact with them in so many contexts: home, school, work, church, shopping, sports, community events, on social media, interacting with neighbors, at restaurants, in small groups, sending emails and text messages, talking on the phone, filling our gas tanks, dealing with customer service representatives, and a host of other everyday situations. How often are we aware of representing Christ honorably in these moments? Do we even think about being Christ’s ambassadors in these contexts, or are we preoccupied with other matters? We will not have a perfect record – far from it. But we should always be mindful that “we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20).
Christians, spend ample time with Jesus in his Word and prayer daily, then live so that your time with him is evident to others.
Next Step:
Name at least one person you know for whom it is apparent they spend time with Jesus. How is it noticeable? In what areas do you need to be more mindful about representing Christ? Pause before bed for several nights and reflect on your day. Did others see Christ in you?
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