Bible Reading: Isaiah 45-46; Colossians 4
“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.
Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary men yet because they had been with Jesus, people could see the difference. They saw their courage. Jesus had recently been crucified yet his followers were unafraid to proclaim the same message that caused his death. Their courage wasn’t something they manufactured. It came from the Presence of God in their lives and the power of the Holy Spirit that came upon them in the upper room.
Peter and John were still the same fishermen that the people used to know. This time around what makes the difference is that they have been with Jesus, learned of Him and empowered by His Holy Spirit, that is His presence is with them. God’s presence can distinguish any person if we can only crave for it. That’s why Moses prayed in the wilderness, “If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” – Exodus 33:15-16 (KJV)
It is not what we do that makes people realise we are Christians. People can be law-abiding citizens without God. People can help others without God. People can be philanthropists without God. The thing which sets us apart is the Presence of God because it changes us on the inside. We can’t manufacture it or fake it. It comes from God because we have spent time with Jesus. It is only when we allow God to fill our lives with His Presence that it will become obvious to others. This doesn’t happen when we are full of ourselves. It doesn’t become obvious until we have died to ourselves, our ambitions, our preferences, our desires and be alive in Christ. “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:11(KJV). If you had been in the presence of Jesus, there will be evidence. Peter and John are proof from the records in the scriptures which reflected in their boldness like Jesus that was evident of their relationship with Him.
There is no better place to go than in the presence of the Lord. Because in His presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). You cannot take the time to be with Jesus in fellowship, study of God’s word and prayers daily, without radiating the presence of God and people around you testifying of your Jesus like personality. It is a place to keep going back over and over for everlasting love, joy, peace, hope and comfort.
Prayer: Father, grant me the grace to consciously be in your presence daily.
Pastor Alfred Samuel