10/05/2026
Today's reading; Being Faithful to Christ with steadfast purpose.
In Acts 11, a church has sprung up in Antioch, and so the apostles send Barnabas to visit the church there and to report back. Verse 23 says, “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.” He saw the grace of God. He was glad. And he exhorted them to remain faithful.
First, he saw the grace of God. He saw it. Think about that! He was witnessing a miracle community — a sinful people bathed in the mercy of God, declaring the mercy of God, and loving each other in Christ. He saw the grace of God.
So do we? Do we see the grace of God in others, in our spouses, in our children, our place of work, in our church, in our families? Are we too busy or distracted to notice goodness in others anymore? This room, this church, is filled with the grace of God.
Barnabas, however, not only saw the grace of God; he also rejoiced in what he saw. “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad. How often do we grow dull to what God is doing in us and around us? Christ is calling us today to be the church, to be the people who not only notice the grace of God, but who rejoice in the grace of God.
Let us learn to see the good first in others, it can change the whole perception of our understanding or judgment.
Let us keep praying, keep serving, keep giving, keep worshipping. Don’t just be faithful, but be faithful with steadfast purpose. Let us live a life of purpose.
Amen.