Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Why can't this happen here? Why can't a great many people be added to the Lord? What hinders God?
Nothing but UNBELIEF hinders us from seeing more of His glory, and if we have the atmosphere of faith, then we WILL see Him work. Matt 13 says, “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (vs58). Mark 6 says, “Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief” (vs4-5).
First, we must have the obedience that comes from God. Barnabas was a good man because God made him such by grace. He confessed that grace had made Antioch special. He confessed that God came down in Jesus Christ, revealed His grace to sinners, and they received Him freely, as He was given, and “when he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (vs23). Grace makes one place shine, and it brings light to one area particularly. All growth, all blessedness, and all spiritual goodness must be credited with grace. Grace came BEFORE the seeking and caused it, “As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God” (Rom 3:10-11). We are to seek and believe on grace, but grace opens the ears to the command and reveals Christ to you.
Secondly, conditions are met, so that GRACE causes people to do things. Grace made Barnabas HAPPY in the salvation of others, and that is a gift. He cared, so he rejoiced without jealousy or fault-finding, “he was glad” (vs23). He encouraged them to ABIDE in the Lord Jesus Christ, so that we have something to DO, but the something is to BELIEVE on God's love continually. Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in my love” (John 15:9). Walk every minute loved of God for Christ's sake, opening your mouth and receiving the GRACE that He gives.
Never mind merit. Christ EARNED salvation. Take freely and be changed into a good man in your behavior, helping people.
Thirdly, we can't control the blessing: “a great many people were added”, and this, by the “hand of the Lord” (vs23, 21). We don't know if we'll yield one fruit or one hundred. We don't know, but if we have the atmosphere of faith, then we ARE blessed of God, for “when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed, Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:5). We may have a small house, but He will be there, even as Obededom's house was blessed by the presence of God. Our peace, love, joy, and fruit of the Spirit will be rewarded by the souls that He gives.
Maximize your fruitfulness by becoming the person that He blesses with fruit. Improve, see what God does, and you will know that He is good. In fact, having eyes open to spiritual truth and blessedness will cause us to REJOICE even more in what we have, because it is precious.
Finally, dream big: “a great many people were added to the Lord” (vs24). Don't think because YOU'RE small that God is small. He is the great God, and He glorifies Himself by BLESSING all who ask.
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