The changed-life

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. ’There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. Acts 4:8-13

Christianity is not about religion or doing religious activities. You are able to do what God called you to do only because you allow His life to flow through you. You will not miss seeing a transformed life by Christ because joy and passion are fueled by the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is what happened to Peter and John as described from the text. At first, the followers of God were ineffective and fearful when the Lord Jesus Christ enlisted them to be His followers. Their loyalty to Christ was motivated by their desire to receive a position in the Kingdom of God. This is what James and John, sons of Zebedee were seeking; to gain places of honor in the Kingdom of God. “When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left” (Mark 10:37). Their actions proved that they really did not understand who Jesus was. “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you” (John 6:26-27). Peter was even told by Christ that even in his eagerness to stand up for Christ and willingness to die for Him, he predicted that he will deny Him three times. ““Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (John 13:38). Yet, when they allowed the Holy Spirit to work through their lives, they manifested what transformation looked like. They were no longer fearful to be identified with Christ. With boldness and wisdom, they proclaimed the Lord Jesus Christ. The ones persecuting them even recognized that they “had been with Jesus.” You do not need to announce that you are a devoted Christian, Spirit-led, and godly. The change will be obvious as you walk daily with Christ. It was not up to you to prove who you are in Christ; it will be the Holy Spirit working in you that will change you to be the person God wants you to be. If change is not taking place there is something wrong. It might be that you are not allowing Him to take hold of your life. He promised that once you surrender your life to Him, He will give you His life. “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” (John 1:4). “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” (John 10:10).

Blessings,