HAVE YOU BEEN WITH JESUS?

Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Have you spent time with him in relationship? If you have, and if you do, it should be noticeable to those around you. Just as with the apostles, your relationship with Jesus should be apparent to all you come in contact with, even unbelievers.

What are the characteristics of a person who has been with Jesus?

1) When you spend time with Jesus, you become more like him. You will exhibit the "Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

People will observe there is something different about you from others. And especially if you are a new believer, your friends and family will begin to observe that you are different. They will say things like, "You've changed. What has come over you?" They will notice a more loving spirit in you. You will be noticeably more patient, kind, and gentle. And you will begin to demonstrate more self-control than before.

2) Also, a person who has been with Jesus will boldly share their faith:
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). In the power of the Holy Spirit it will become your greatest joy to share your faith in Jesus with others. When you have been with Jesus, it will become a relationship that you can't hide from others, even if you wanted to.

3) A person who has been with Jesus will be a person who knows the Scriptures.
In order to be in relationship with Jesus, you must spend time with him in his word. Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed" (John 8:31). You will begin to surprise yourself that you actually know what the word of God says about circumstances and situations you are dealing with in your daily life. And you will begin to apply those principles and teachings and actually start to live accordingly.

4) The book of Acts shows us that a person who has been with Jesus will also be a person of prayer:
"So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord...And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:24, 31). You will begin to see God work through the power of prayer, and you will gain confidence in God that He actually does hear your prayers, and answers them.

If you share your faith, if you know the Scriptures, and if you are a person of prayer, people will take note that you have been with Jesus. Then you will begin to have a real impact for the Gospel of Christ within your sphere of influence.

May God bless you with His presence,
Roger