You Remind Me of Someone

1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:21; Ephesians 5:1-2; John 13:13-17; Romans 12:2

Have you ever noticed how people often act or sound different based upon who they are speaking with or have been hanging around? Not only have I noticed it in others, I am certain that I have done it myself. We often tend to take on the characteristics of those we are talking to, dealing with, or who we've been hanging around. 

In Acts 4,  Peter and John are getting into trouble with the Jewish leaders for teaching the people and proclaiming through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (v. 2) They had also, through the power of Christ, just healed a lame beggar, which stirred up the crowd even more to believe in Jesus.  They are thrown in jail and the next day brought before the leaders to testify; and testify they did!

What I find so interesting here is what the priests and elders noticed about Peter and John. Verse 13 says Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. (NASB) Now that's an association like no other! What an honor to be recognized in such a way. And notice how, through the Holy Spirit, the unlearned are educating the highly educated! Their education came not from man but from God. Their learning came by hanging out with the very one they were learning about.

You don't need a college education to tell people about Jesus. Just let him transform your life and then tell them about your transformation. Tell them what He has done in and through you. Tell them how you once were lost, but through His mercy and grace, were saved. Spend time in His presence and then don't be surprised when others recognize that you have been with Jesus!

1 John 2:6 (NASB) the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.

Pastor Mike Deese