Acts 9: 20-31
Like it or not, our past follows us. Humans tend to judge others on what they’ve done before. The famous quote, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior” carries a lot of weight.
This doesn’t mean that people can’t change. The Bible tells of many less-than-savory characters making bad decisions, who later become outstanding champions of Christ. Character transformation speaks to God’s ability to work miracles.
The fact that Saul became Paul is one of the most miraculous transformations in the Bible. Who’d have thought the angry persecutor would become one of the greatest Jesus supporters?! Today’s reading says that even the disciples didn’t believe it could happen. But then Barnabas stepped in and vouched for Saul. Barnabas believed in the Paul that Saul would become. He was Saul’s champion. Often, we just need someone to believe in us – to believe that change is possible.
Do you have a Barnabas in your corner or maybe you’re a Barnabas for someone else?
When our church started exploring the characteristics of a disciple, I thought of Barnabas. The name Barnabas means “Son of consolation or comfort/encouragement” which sums up who he was to Saul and who he was in Christ. Barnabas knew of the transformative power that comes to those who believe. “As you follow him (Jesus), you will find it changes the way you picture yourself and the way you imagine the story of your life. Your heart, your mind, your hands, and your spirit will transform to be more like God’s” (Portrait of a Disciple, p. 7).
Our God is the God of transformation. Anything is possible. And because of God’s faithfulness in the past, we can predict with absolute certainty His unending faithfulness in the future.
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