The Evident Grace of God

Acts 11:23 ~ "When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose."

​When you read the Scriptures, there are times that some obvious questions arise. In our text for today, there is an illuminating statement that brings about a question in my mind, and I trust that it will in yours. It says that Barnabas "saw the grace of God" in the fledgling church at Antioch. When it comes to the evident grace of God, what did Barnabas see?

Great persecution had broken out against the church in Jerusalem, and the scattered followers of Jesus took the gospel to the regions where they dispersed. Primarily, the message of salvation went to the Jews living in those regions, but a few brave believers ventured to preach about the LORD Jesus to the Hellenists (Greeks or non-Jews) as well (see Acts 11:19-20). And in Acts 11:21 we read a tremendous testimony, "And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord."

And that would be the first evidence of the grace of God that Barnabas witnessed among those in Antioch--that even the Gentiles turned to Christ by faith and received salvation. It is understood that only by the grace of God is anyone brought into the saving mercy of Christ. Paul expounds this in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." There is no boasting in the life of a believer, for all who are born-again know that they were not saved except that Christ has redeemed them from sin, death and judgment. 

Even the very act of believing on the LORD Jesus for salvation is a work of God's grace in your life. Jesus told the disciples this in John 6:29, "This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent." If you are reading this, and your faith is place solely and completely on Jesus for salvation, then you are a living testimony of the evident grace of God at work.

Another evidence of God's grace at work in the church at Antioch is found in the description others used concerning them. The latter part of Acts 11:26 states, "And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." The church had developed such a reputation in the region that they were given a name that described them as people who were completely devoted to Christ. Consider what it says in 2 Corinthians when Paul warned them of the false apostles who wanted to lead the church astray, "But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Corinthians 11:3). 

Do we wear the name "Christian" as they did in Antioch? Do those around us know of our sincere and pure devotion to Christ, so that, if the term "Christian" had not yet been devised, it would be invented on account of us? Don't let the cultural caricature of Christianity be the target, but devote your life to Christ Jesus according to the Scriptures.

So, my friends, even as Barnabas, let us also be glad when we see the grace of God evident in the life of another. And if the LORD permits us the opportunity, let us do even as he did, and exhort them to remain faithful to the LORD with steadfast purpose. 

In His Grace,
​Pastor Michael

---