Sometimes, in paintings of centuries past, artists would depict the apostles (and especially Jesus) as having a glowing circle around their head. Have you seen those pieces of art? If the apostles actually walked around with glowing circles about their heads, do you think they would have been easy to recognize and identify as a follower of Christ? But, you well know that no glowing aura followed those men around. So, there was something else that made them stand out from the rest.
In Acts 4, Peter and John were arrested for preaching Jesus Christ in the “holy city” of Jerusalem. While they were put on trial before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council “saw [their] boldness,” and “they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). There was something that stood out about these men (not a glowing arch behind their heads), which made it obvious that they had been with Jesus. Question: Is there anything about you and me that makes it clear to honest observers that we have been with Jesus?
In your speech, is it obvious that you have been with Jesus? Do your words sound like Jesus? Do your words belong to Jesus? Do your words honor Jesus? Are your words saturated with Jesus?
In your thoughts, is it obvious that you have been with Jesus? Do your thoughts, as they are expressed in your life, think like Jesus would think? Do your thoughts belong to Jesus? Do your thoughts honor Jesus? Are your thoughts saturated with Jesus?
In your attitudes, is it obvious that you have been with Jesus? Do your attitudes (whether we look at them individually or collectively as one) resemble Jesus? Do your attitudes belong to Jesus? Do your attitudes honor Jesus? Are your attitudes saturated with Jesus?
In your conduct, is it obvious that you have been with Jesus? Does your conduct (in its single actions and its cumulative effect) mirror Jesus? Does your conduct belong to Jesus? Does your conduct honor Jesus? Is your conduct saturated with Jesus?
In your treatments of others, is it obvious that you have been with Jesus? Does your treatment of others imitate Jesus’ treatment of others? Does your treatment of others belong to Jesus? Does your treatment of others honor Jesus? Is your treatment of others saturated with Jesus?
There are no glowing circles that surround our heads to distinguish us from others. What makes us stand out from the world is that we have been with Jesus! The world must observe Jesus in our speech, thoughts, attitudes, conduct, etc. Not for our good or our glory, but all for His!