Gracious God
“When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.” Acts 11:23 NKJV https://www.bible.com/114/act.11.23.nkjv While it is generally taken that believers are first called Christians in Antioch, it is mostly a general concern that sustaining the character and charisma of Christ is difficult. However, Barnabas appeared to open the silver lining in his exhortation to believers in Antioch by differentiating between God’s grace and the gracious God. It is always amazing to discover the benefits of God’s grace, including salvation from sin for the unthinkable, healing and deliverance from the bondage of sickness for the lawful captives, and engagement in the ministry for the least-worthy of men on earth. Notwithstanding, many are often not wary to ride grace with conscious focus on the gracious God. Whereas, Barnabas “encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with...