After Stephen had been stoned to death for his testimony to Christ, a great persecution broke out against the Christians. Many of them were put to death, while others were forced to leave their homes and wander about seeking a new dwelling place, but as they traveled from place to place they did not complain about their troubles. Instead of this they carried a wonderful message. They told of a better home above, a home of peace and joy, and the hope of being there was very real and precious to them. They told of the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work at Calvary which had opened up the way of salvation for sinners. They preached full and free forgiveness of sins to all those who believed in Him, and undoubtedly their lives gave testimony to the reality of what they preached, for great numbers turned to the Lord in the ancient city of Antioch as the result of it.
News of this blessing spread to Jerusalem, and the assembly there became greatly interested in these young believers. They were anxious to try to help them, and so Barnabas, “A good man ... . full of the Holy Ghost and of faith” (Acts 11:24) went down in fellowship with his brethren to encourage these dear ones in the path of faith. When he arrived he was refreshed by seeing this wonderful work of God’s grace, and he “exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.” Acts 11:23. We would like to call the attention of our young readers to this exhortation, for we feel it is as needful for us today as it was for them centuries ago. It always takes purpose of heart to go on, especially when there is any opposition. And dead fish can float down stream, but it takes a good lively one to swim against the current! And so we find it takes real purpose of heart and strength from above to go against the current of this world, which is ever downward. How often each one of us, whether young or old, fails in this, especially when taking a stand for the Lord entails suffering. It is comparatively easy to be faithful when we are surrounded by those who love our Saviour, but it takes real spiritual energy to be faithful among unsaved schoolmates, in the workshop and office, or before unsaved relatives. It is in these circumstances that we are really tested and find the need of this exhortation.
How blessed to think of the One who never turned aside from. His purpose, but was “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil. 2:8. Indeed, if there is going to be any real purpose of heart in our lives, there must be occupation with Him. Arid this is not possible through mere strength of natural character, for if we are unwatchful we are prone to fail in our very strongest point, as Moses and Samson did. It is only by cleaving to the Lord. He is the source of all strength, and so by keeping close to Him we will be enabled to go on in spite of the difficulties of the way. Even though we are so weak in ourselves, we have His promise, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 129) and when we count upon the Lord He always undertakes for us.
May these words then, spoken by Barnabas to the dear young believers at Antioch so long ago, be a word in season for each one of us today. It is the path of blessing and true happiness, no matter how difficult the way.
ML 10/29/1950