GOOD MAN

By Rick Mathes

Acts 11:24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

Barnabas means “Son of Encouragement.” He was a good man. Christianity was just now blossoming into a faith similar but advanced and separate from Judaism. As the faith was strengthening in power and numbers men like Barnabas were raised up to search out and recruit the Pauls of the world. He had an irresistible kindness, compassion and patience that complimented Paul’s more aggressive spirit. It developed willingness, a passion to make known the spiritual cure to the sick and dying. Most ministry leaders have had the same experience.

The basic component of any outreach ministry is charity or rather the extension of love through physical resources prayer, time or money. I might add that every Christian ministry is unified with only one goal: restore whole families to the throne of grace.

When you are the man of God He has called and chosen you, eagerness and trembling occurs within you. It’s unguided energy apart from the Word and prompting of the Holy Spirit. This extension of Christ in you exhibits His humility and loyalty to those who are His. The same will be a permanent exercise of your faith you do well to all around you and let others take the credit. He actually becomes more prominent in your life as you become smaller.

Your courage grows as your apparent successes mount. Timothy held in His hand the future of the Kingdom when Paul passed it on to him and he was afraid and in fear of God. He was young and inexperienced and it showed. But his gentle spirit and heart of love and forgiveness prevailed as it will with you.

Let us just step back a step and sink our toes in Israeli sand as we study this verse. Notice he was a good man, he was filled with the Spirit and had a strong faith: and so it can be with you if you so desire it.

It only takes one match to light up a whole universe. It only took one Barnabas to seek out the Super-Apostle Paul and it only took one Paul to be used of God to teach us all we need to know to go to heaven.

What in heaven’s name is holding you back?

(Put your excuse here so that God and man can see it!)e w