What Marks You Out?

During last night’s Bible study, pastor mentioned in passing a verse that stuck in my mind.
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13

Backtrack to chapter 3. Peter and John encountered a man who had been lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful. The man askef for alms, Peter offered him healing in the name of Jesus. The lame man got healed instantly as people looked on. Before long many onlookers gathered, marveling at the miracle. Peter seized opportunity to preach Christ to them, tracing His history through the Old Testament from Abraham, confirming that Christ was indeed the Messiah. Many believed in Jesus and the number of converts we are told increased to five thousand.

Greatly concerned by the turn of events, the High Priest, temple guard and Sadducees dragged Peter and John before the Sanhedrin to question the authority by which they performed the miracle. Peter again took the opportunity to preach Christ, his death and resurrection and went a step further to scold the Jewish leaders for murdering Christ. Considering the boldness in both presentation and speech, articulation, their command of history and facts, the leaders took note of the fact that these were men who had not been educated in the rabbinical schools, instructed in any formal way yet spoke in a manner characteristic of lettered and learned men. It then dawned on them that Peter and John had been with Jesus. They spoke in the same bold manner, and as courageously as their master did. How they presented themselves marked them out as followers of Christ.

What marks you out as a Christian and a follower of Christ? When people outside of your church and circle of friends meet you and interact with you, do they see Christ? What character trait of yours portrays Christ? Is it your choice of words? Your kindness? Graciousness? Your ability to forgive easily? How you carry yourself? Your selflessness? How you conduct your relationships? How you treat people? How quickly you are to speak about Jesus to others? What is it? We are called to be imitators of Christ and we must strive daily to be so, with the help of the Holy Spirit. May Christ be seen in us today and always.

Blessings.

Love,
Lady Monica.❤