When I was growing up, my mom could tell which friends I had spent time with. Some brought out the best in me, and others not so much. She was a believer in Paul’s words, “Do not be misled. Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). If bad company corrupts good morals, what does good company do? What if people could tell by the way we act and speak what kind of company we have been keeping. Can our companions really change our character?
I only ask because after Peter and John were arrested for healing the lame man, Peter preached. When he preached about Jesus being the only Savior of the world, the religious authorities noticed that Peter and John were unschooled, ordinary and very bold. Wait, Are these the same two men who were scattered at Gethsemane? Is this the same Simon Peter who denied Jesus three times on the night before the crucifixion? Yes. What could account for the transformation? Jesus. The authorities recognized that these two former fishermen had been with Jesus.
What would today be like if we started by spending time with Jesus? It would be wonderful if the people around us tried to figure out who we are and finally decided, “They found courage and boldness because they had been with Jesus.” With my friend Mike Glenn I wonder if the world doesn’t wonder about us because we have lost our connection with Jesus. He wrote, “When the church discovers Jesus again, the world will discover the church again.” Let’s spend time thinking about Jesus and talking to Jesus today. I am confident that being in Jesus’ good company will transform us to become like him. When that happens, someone, somewhere will notice.
