It Is Not Just About The Company You Keep, But How You Keep Company!
33Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.
34Awake [[a]from your drunken stupor and return] to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame.
When I was a teenager I went through a period of time when I was rebelling against my Christian up bringing. Although I was what people considered a “good girl,” to fit in with my new set of associates, my image began to change because of who I was hanging with. When I would go out with people my mother thought were not good for me spiritually or naturally, she would gently remind me by saying, “You know that you are judged by the company that you keep.” Throughout my life I found myself, trying to fit in, adjusting to try to be what others thought I should be or expected me to be. I let people mold me with their words and behavior, instead of having the good sense to see myself as a gift from God. Instead of allowing God to define me it was those who I dated, married or befriended that became my maker, instead. I allowed hurts and fears that I had encountered to become my badge of honor instead of the blood stained banner that God had sent Jesus to purchase for me.
There were twelve apostles, but not all of them, understood, developed or even kept company with Jesus as Peter, James and John. They could have kept company with Judas or Thomas and allow their spirits to be defined by the company that they kept, but instead, they drew close to Jesus to know God. Although they made their mistakes and had their shortcomings, they were apart of Jesus’ inner circle. These three men valued the connection that was found in knowing Jesus, instead of getting caught up in being changed, identified, and stuck in the definition of man. Although there were more than three apostles, Jesus allowed these three special men to see, what others did not see and to hear what others had missed. It was because of their love and willingness to be identified with the one true creator and not an imitator, that they were afforded this gift. Even when they were around the others they made a difference by the insight gained through how they kept company. They were wiling to be corrected into truth and loved into a better place.
Where is it that you find yourself? Are you sitting with the mockers, standing with the sinners or walking with the wicked? Are they defining your way and causing you to conform to them? Or are you seeking to know what God has said about you, what he desire for you and what he wants of you? Are you making good use of your time or are you wasting time? Is God being seen in you or are the words, deeds and definitions of others the marker by which you are measured? Isn’t it time to keep good company and let it be known and let it be said that you are God’s handy work and you are making good use of your time with Him and with others.
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