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| Seeing God's Grace |
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As Christ followers recognize God's grace at work in people, they are glad because they realize that God is doing the same work in others that He has done in them. They know that God is no respecter of people; what He does in one, He will do in another. And it’s not because one deserves it. It’s all the result of God’s grace; His unmerited favor towards us all.
In Acts 11:19-21, many Gentiles had lost their confidence in their idols and were looking for something better. Their situation looked hopeless, but God was working on their behalf. He broke down religious tradition and practices in Jewish people and sent them to Antioch to preach Jesus. Through the preaching of Christ, many non Jewish people turned from their idols, received the forgiveness of sins and became followers of Jesus Christ.
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 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, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:22-26 ESV)
Antioch itself was significant. It was the third most important city in the Roman Empire. It was exceeded only by Rome and Alexandria. The church in Jerusalem heard of what was happening in Antioch and out of love sends to them Barnabas, their best encourager. When Barnabas arrives in Antioch, he “saw the grace of God” and “he was glad”.
The biggest thrill in ministry is seeing God’s grace on people and the changes that it brings to their lives. I was preaching the good news of Christ in Santiago Cuba on a hot and humid spring night to hundreds of people who had gathered. The small building was packed full and the crowd stretched out the open doors, into the yard outside and across the street. Later I would be told that there were over 900 people listening, mostly outside because they could not get in the building. As I spoke a sentence, I would wait and watch the people as the interpreter spoke in their language what I just said in English. As I watched, I could see God’s grace at work in them. They soaked up the message of Christ like a dry sponge absorbs water. Many became followers of Christ that night, but one lady, I will never forget. She was 90 years old and had never heard the Gospel. She decided to receive God’s grace and begin her journey with Jesus that night as she gave Him her life and made Him her Lord.
We experienced the supernatural that night. We did not speak the same language. We did not have the same color of skin. We were raised under two different types of government. We were of different economic status as they lived in extreme poverty and I live in wealthy America. They would stay, but I would go back. We had a lot of differences, but we had one thing in common. We had experienced God’s amazing grace. God loved us all equally and poured His grace out upon us.
I’ve seen God’s grace on women and on men as I’ve preached Jesus to them in Jail. I’ve seen God’s grace on the homeless as I’ve encourage them with the good news of Jesus who Himself experienced homelessness. I’ve seen God’s grace on gang members as I’ve pointed them to Jesus, the most courageous man that has walked this earth. I’ve seen God’s grace on sex offenders in transitional housing as I’ve told them that a relationship with Jesus is the answer to their sexual addictions. I’ve seen God’s grace at work and it always makes me glad.
Beloved, rejoice in God’s grace today. His hand is not only upon you, but it is upon those around you. Recognize that we are all God’s creation and created in His image and in His likeness. We all make mistakes in life, but God still picks us to follow Jesus in spite of our mistakes. He picks us just like we are and He brings changes to our heart and mind as we follow Christ. As we allow Him to change our heart and our mind, our behavior changes and others begin to experience God’s grace through our words and through our actions. As others experience God’s grace, we will see it and it will make us glad.
I encourage you today as Barnabas did those in His day to remain faithful to Jesus. Value Him and your relationship with Him above all else. Above all that you own and all that you dream to own and above all other relationships. Remain faithful to Jesus. Keep a steadfast purpose to follow Him, continuing His point of need ministry in the power and in the fullness of the Holy Spirit until He comes.
Know that you are loved,
Rev. Greg Johnson
Founder
LovingGodFellowship.org
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