Acts 4:13

"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."

Scripture also tells us that bad company corrupts good character.    We are most definately known by the company we keep.

Many Christians believe that they can do as they please because they have been "saved by grace" and that nothing can happen to them, but this is very wrong.  Go to the sewer often enough and you will begin to stink.  You can't hang out with unsaved people all the time, go where they go, do what they do, talk like they talk, and expect to remain Christ-like.  It just doesn't work that way.  Wordly people want nothing to do with the ways of God, and will do everything in their power to change you.  Hang around with them long enough, and it will begin to work.

Peter and John were known to be uneducated, ordinary, run-of-the-mill fishermen.  All you needed to be a fisherman was a whole lot of brawn and not too much brain.  And more then likely, they were coarse and vulgar.  That's just a simple fact of life.  Crude jokes, vulgar talk, lewd suggestions... the way of the world.  They were well know in their area because of their fishing business.  Peter and Andrew had a business and their cousins James and John worked for their well-known father Zebedee.  So their professional and personal reputations preceeded them.  All over Capernium. 

Then one day, they met Jesus.  From the time Jesus walked the earth until He returns, everyone will meet Jesus sometime.  What we do with that meeting will determine the course of the remainder of our lives, and into eternity.  All four of the boys had an encounter with the Lord and all four dropped their old lives without a moment's hesitation, even with old Zebedee bellowing and blustering at them all.  They weren't afraid to follow their hearts in the right direction.  They spent three years being taught and loved by the Master.  Three years soaking and basking in the glory of the Son of God.  And during these three years, change occurred.  With slow, remarkable change, Peter went from being a loud-mouthed braggart to a man confident of who he was in Christ and more then willing to share the good news of salvation.  Likewise, the other three.  So when the time came that they were brought up on charges before the Sanhedrin, the illustrious Pharisees observed a most remarkable change in the fishermen.  They spoke with knowledge and authority, with confidence and boldness, emboldened by the Holy Spirit.  Completely unafraid.

A changed life speaks volumes.  No words are necessary.  A changed life is the greatest testimony there is, it is visible evidence of the work of God. 

We are known by the company we keep.  What kind of company are you keeping?  Is it a struggle to adhere to your Christian principles or are you walking with those of like mind and spirit?  Has your life been so changed, your attitudes, language, behavior, that people know who you are living for?  What kind of a witness are you?

Lord Jesus, when I grow up, I want to be just like you.  Help me, Lord, to keep my eyes on your face, my ears to your lips and my heart joined to yours.  When people see me, let them see you., let them see a life that's been changed.  I love you, Jesus.  Help me to always, always to walk with you.  Amen.



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