Company
The Company We Keep
Verse of the Day: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Acts 4:13
Can you imagine being in the company of Jesus? Just the reputation alone of being know as someone who hangs out with Him. “Hey! There’s that guy that is always with Jesus.”
Most Christians say they have a relationship with Jesus. But in reality, they will only align with certain doctrinal and biblical standards. People don’t really want to be friends with Jesus. They use it as a way to justify the things they do in their life. They will drink, swear, covet, etc. Some say love is the answer to everything because Jesus loved. Love is a part of it, but not the only part. They think love excuses away every other biblical standard you should have.
We grow a relationship with God so we can become more Christ-like and beckon the Holy Spirit to thrive in us. This brings the good and the bad with it. We must deny ourselves as well as feed ourselves
Who we hang out with, our friendships and our relationships define who we are and what we allow. But even that can be done for the wrong reasons. Even if all of our worldly relationships are wholesome and good - it doesn’t make our fellowship with God any better. Only you make your fellowship with God better. Going to church, reading the Bible and praying will help. But only if you make it a priority. Sure you can say you do those things if it makes you feel better. But if you don’t actually do it to better yourself, your relationship with Him will suffer.
I have met some truly strong men and women of God this past year. I am in awe of their walk with God. They don’t talk about it or brag about it, I see it in them. And I’m certain they still have struggles in their lives. All are in different places in their walk. But one thing is common, their relationship with God. All of them have a strong prayer life, they read the Bible daily and they attend church more than most people show up for work. And they still trip once and a while.
Being “with Jesus” isn’t just hanging out with Him. It encompasses everything about Him. Jesus can’t be the second in your life or you will always always always have something else as your first.
People should see Jesus in you. They should see the love, patience, kindness, humility, boldness and wisdom that comes from a relationship with Him.
I struggle with many of these. My desire is to grow my relationship with Him, to walk with Him and to put Him first - so that some day someone can say - he has been with Jesus.
“He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.”
Luke 11:23
“And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”
Luke 22:33
John 15:27