by Kevin Burton
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” reads 2 Timothy 2:15 in the KJV.
Great advice from the Apostle Paul the world’s greatest evangelist, calling for focus and diligence in Bible study.
Yet it is not command of the law, but proximity to the Law-Giver that truly transforms a life. That’s the thrust of a recent message from In Touch, the ministry founded by the late Dr. Charles Stanley.
“Spending time with Jesus transforms us, and His presence then becomes noticeable to others,” reads the message, which points us to the book of Acts.
“The rulers, elders, and scribes in today’s passage were amazed. Peter and John, standing before them, had just healed a lame man in Jesus’ name and preached Christ’s resurrection to a crowd (Acts 3: 1-26). Interrogating them, the authorities expected the fumbling defense of uneducated Galileans.”
“Instead, they witnessed clarity and courage that were hard to explain. As a result, the leaders ‘began to recognize them as having been with Jesus’” (Acts 4:13).
“That small observation contains an enormous truth.”
“What set Peter and John apart wasn’t credentials or natural gifts. It was proximity. They had walked with Jesus. They had eaten with Him, listened to Him, watched Him, been rebuked and loved and sent by Him. And it showed,” In Touch wrote.
The larger group of apostles were described, correctly, as “these that have turned the world upside down” (Acts 17:6.). And it all began with Peter, John and the others learning at the feet of Jesus.
Remember, Peter and John were common fishermen before Jesus made them “fishers of men.”
Now you may be saying, if Jesus were physically present with us as He was with the disciples in Biblical times, it would be easier to be influenced by Him.
But God has not left us alone or without direction in our era. God’s Holy Spirit is with us in a sense that is every bit as real (even moreso one could argue) as in the physical.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,” (John 14:15-17 KJV).
Here I am on any given morning, in the far corner of the basement, in an old recliner that has seen better days, knowing full well that I don’t live up to God’s standards, or even my own. How precious and amazing then, to know the Spirit of the living God is with me, and will help, if I only take time enough to hear Him?
Friend, will you take that time?
“We sometimes imagine the Christian life is about becoming impressive for God. But Scripture gently tells a different story,” The In Touch message reads. “The Lord isn’t seeking people with the right résumé; He’s looking for those who will sit near Him long enough to be changed by Him. He wants people like the disciples—fishermen, a tax collector—none of them remarkable by the world’s standards.”
When Peter and John came home from fishing, loved ones didn’t have to ask where they had been. The smell of the fish would tell the story. Or perhaps, if they had stopped to eat, the more pleasant smell of the campfire would dominate, and accompany them home.
Here’s another New testament admonition from Paul: “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame,” 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 KJV).
Your life will take on the smell, and the appearance of those you spend quality time with. Why not let truth of the gospel be the fragrance others notice on you?
“Whatever your life looks like, time spent with Jesus is never wasted,” In Touch wrote. “Others may not always notice what you’ve done. But hopefully they’ll come to recognize Who you’ve been with.”
