June 29 - Grace You Can See

Read Acts 11:19-26

Context: Peter went up onto a roof after lunch to pray. While there he saw a vision from God and he was told that he should eat foods that were previously considered unclean. At that time some men came to him asking that he go to Cornelius' home (a Roman centurion) to share the message of Christ with the Gentiles. Peter realized that God wanted the Gentiles to share in the salvation of Christ.

Text:
19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (NIV)

taken from www.biblegateway.com

When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he was able to see the evidence of the grace of God. I wonder what he witnessed. How was their grace so visible to others? I imagine that he sat down and talked with the people and heard their stories of how God had changed their lives, but did he witness this grace before he really met them?

The word used here in the Greek is 'charis' (khar'-ece), which means good will and loving kindness, specifically 'of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues' (from Strong's)

If someone comes into our church, are they able to easily perceive the grace of God? I hope they see us under the influence of God, being strengthened in our faith and demonstrating the virtues of Christ!