Are You Walking with Christ or Indwelt with Christ?

Acts 3:11-19 (Click on reference to read text)

I love Peter.  He is so real, he often acts and speaks before he thinks, and you will almost always find him with at least part of his foot in his mouth.  However, the Peter in Acts is completely different.  In Acts he speaks with wisdom and elegance, he is full of grace yet bold as a lion, he is eloquent and sees thousands come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ... what happened?

Isn't it interesting that when Peter walked alongside Christ he was rash and rough, yet when he became indwelt with the Holy Spirit he speaks with wisdom and eloquence.  You see, it is not good enough to simply walk alongside Christ.  It is not good enough to have Christian friends, go to church and live a religious life, or try harder.  In order to see real change and spiritual growth we must receive His salvation and become indwelt with Christ!  It is only through the indwelling power of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit that we truly see lasting change that makes us more like Christ.

Finally, Peter allowed himself to be reinstated.  He messed up... big time!  He denied Christ three times in one night when hours before he swore complete allegiance to Christ unto death.  He denied Jesus Christ the last night of Jesus's life.  However, the story does not end there.  He is one of the first to rush to Jesus's tomb when he hears of the resurrection (Luke 24:9-12) and when Jesus offers Him forgiveness and restoration, he takes it (John 21:15-19).  Peter believes him and he moves on.  This is where so many of us fail.  We mess up, but instead of accepting Jesus's forgiveness and grace, we tell ourselves we have fallen too far, we could never be used, we have messed up beyond His grace.  We refuse to believe that "when we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).

So... which Peter are you?  Are you just walking the Christian life, alongside other believers and simply trying harder, or are you indwelt with the Holy Spirit, walking in His power and accepting His forgiveness and grace?  If you have never witnessed a changed life, maybe it is time to see who really lives and reigns in your heart.  If you have experienced that change, go out and be bold!  You have the power of Heaven on your side and God wants to use YOU to glorify His name!