Seven Attributes of the Highly Effective Christian

Lonnie Fritz

In Steven Covey's very popular self-motivation book, Seven Habits of the Highly Effective Person, he lists some attributes that supposedly will make a person more effective with the use of their time and energy. Reading from another book that gives the best instruction on being an effective person, you have heard of it, the Bible book of Acts, we find "Seven Attributes of the Highly Effective Christian."

You've Been with Jesus!

The apostles had spent time with Jesus, and it showed. "Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).

If we spend time with the Lord, it will also give us confidence and boldness to face all challenges. Others could tell with whom the disciples had spent their time, and the same attribute will also be noticeable in us. The apostle Paul put it this way, "always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh" (2 Cor.4:10,11).

You have a Truly Personal Relationship with Jesus!

When Peter and John were warned not to preach any more in the name of Jesus, they responded by saying; "for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Their relationship to the Lord was personal. Even though we have not seen or heard the Lord in the same manner as Peter and John, yet for our relationship to truly be effective, we must have a personal relationship with Jesus through the eyes of faith. "Go tell what the Lord has done for you" (Mk.5:19).

You Raise Your Voice To God in Prayer!

As we continue through the pages of the book of Acts, prayer is something that we see occupying the time of the early Christians. "And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, ‘O Lord, it is You who MADE THE HEAVEN AND THE EARTH AND THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM'" (Acts 4:24). Even when distractions came, the apostles wanted to make sure that they devoted time to praying. "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4).

You will never become an effective and happy Christian until you regularly pray. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thess.5:16-18).

The Message of the Gospel Changes Your Life

When Peter was released from jail by the angel he was told, "Go speak to the people all the words of this Life!" (Acts 5:20). When the gospel so effects us that it affects changes in our life, we will begin to see how effective a Christian life is. "Behold, all things have become new!" (2 Cor.5:17).

You Know the Importance of Obeying God

When the apostles were asked why they had "filled Jerusalem with your teaching" and why they had brought the guilt of Jesus' blood on the Jewish leader, "Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men'" (Acts 5:28,29). Even when it is difficult, obey the Lord!

You Love the Name of Jesus

Even when the religious leaders physically beat the apostles, "they went on their way from the presence of the Council, rejoicing that they had been considered worthy to suffer shame for His name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:41,42). Does the name of Jesus mean that much to you? Do you cringe when people use His great name as a curse word? If you want to be really effective as a Christian, learn to love the name of Jesus and influence others to do the same. "To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess.1:11,12).

You are Committed to the Goal

Sometime we have to make a decision between the good things and the vital things. In Acts 6:1-4 the apostles had a situation that could have distracted them and taken up their time, the apostles chose the vital things. "But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4). Along the path of life, there will be things that distract and try to derail us. The Pharisees looked after the little things, but left the most important things undone! (Matt.23:23-26). Let's follow the apostles and not the Pharisees.

Friends if you apply these seven attributes in your life, you will see your effectiveness as a Christian grow immensely.