The Word of His Grace

Last night when our family read the Bible after dinner, we were treated with this passage about the missionary efforts of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 14:1-3:  "Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. ² But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. ³ Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands."  There were a number of interesting revelations of God's wisdom presented here.

The first is how God has given believers the opportunity to make known the Gospel of grace so others will also believe in Jesus as LORD and Saviour.  Empowered by the Holy Spirit, God used Paul and Barnabas to bring many Jews and Greeks in the synagogue to saving faith in Christ.  Whilst their message was gladly received by some, verse 2 says unbelieving Jews wielded influence to "poison" or embitter the minds of people against them.  It is remarkable to me how the poison of bitterness and doubt can so permeate the mind of a person it blinds them to the truth.  How careful ought we ought to be in considering our hearts, for bitterness unchecked by repentance before God leads people to negatively impact others.

The second point is when faced with poisoned, embittered minds "...therefore they stayed there are long time, speaking boldly in the LORD."  There were occasions in the ministry of Paul and Barnabas they shook the dust off their feet and left teaching the Jews or in cities where they were strongly opposed.  But in Iconium they remained a long time.  This illustrates the power of the Gospel to transform hearts and minds by the power of the Holy Spirit.  They did not throw up their hands in frustration and say, "Your minds have been poisoned against us and there's no sense even talking to you any more!" and leave.  They remained among people poisoned by unbelief because they offered them the truth of God's word, the divine antidote for all lies and unbelief.

The final point is the way God's word was described:  "the word of His grace."  Instead of being deterred by poisoned minds, they spoke boldly and demonstrated the grace of God by their persistent witness.  The synagogues every week read the Law of Moses, and Jesus was the One of whom the Law spoke they ought to give heed.  The word Paul and Barnabas spoke was not words alone but confirmed by miraculous signs.  It was not the opposition to the Gospel that motivated them to press on in boldly proclaiming the word of grace but the Saviour they knew, followed and believed.  He came to earth to seek and save sinners like Paul and Barnabas themselves, and it is no secret how viciously Paul (who was previously called Saul) opposed Jesus at one stage.  If God could purify murderous Saul's heart and mind, not one of those poisoned minds was beyond the saving grace of the Gospel.

How gracious is God to be patient with minds poisoned against the Gospel and the word of grace so they too might be redeemed.  When you come in contact with a mind poisoned against the brethren, know that Jesus Christ is the only hope for such a one.  Instead of being a sign to move on, it may in fact be an invitation to stay a long time, speaking boldly in the LORD, knowing God will bear witness to the word of His grace.  What love God has shown us, and may we demonstrate love for God and others by our faithful endurance to walk in the light of the Gospel.