I Want to be a Son of Encouragement

I WANT TO BE A SON OF EXHORTATION
(David Weaks)

Barnabas was one of Paul’s most trusted co-workers.  He is mentioned twenty-three times in the book of Acts, and five times in Paul’s letters.  He was clearly a valuable to Paul as a companion and helper, but his greatest asset was summed up in his name and how perfectly it fit him.  His name was Joses, but the apostles gave him the nickname, “son of exhortation,” (Acts 4:36).

Barnabas was the cousin of John Mark (Acts 12:25), and was a member of the church in Antioch of Syria (Acts 13:1).  He was chosen by the Lord from among the saints in Antioch to assist Paul in his travels (13:2).  He was with Paul when He confronted Elymas at Paphos on the island of Crete (13:7ff).  Surely the Lord chose Barnabas because he was as bold as Paul in his preaching (13:46).  His strong personality caused local Greeks in Lystra to presume Barnabas to be Zeus, and Paul,  Hermes (the messenger god), because he was the chief speaker (14:12).  Barnabas joined Paul in his dispute with the false teachers from Jerusalem (15:2).  He was as beloved as Paul was by the brethren in Antioch (15:25).

However, Barnabas’ greatest attribute was the one that earned him his nickname:  he was truly the “son of exhortation.”  When Paul was converted to Christ on the road to Damascus, he immediately tried to join himself to the apostles, but they were afraid of him (Acts 9:27).  This is certainly understandable.  As Saul of Tarsus, Paul had made his murderous intentions against the disciples very clear.  He entered the Bible story holding the garments of the Jews who murdered Stephen (Acts 7:58).  Then, his very next mention is that he breathed “threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,” (9:1), and that he had asked for and received letters of authority from the Sanhedrin Council to go to Damascus and persecute Christians (9:2).  It was surely difficult for the saints to accept that Saul/Paul was now a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Barnabas saved the day:  “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus” (9:27).  Based on this ringing endorsement, by a brother in Christ, whom everyone trusted, Paul was received by the saints in Jerusalem and he freely moved among them (9:28).

I Want To Be Like Barnabas!

One could do far worse than to strive to have the character of a good man like Barnabas and to busy oneself with encouraging other people in the hardest times of their lives.  This is my desire.  I want to be a Barnabas. 

I want to state my love and appreciation for brethren personally. The scriptures teach us to abound in love for brethren in Christ (2 Pet. 1:7; Heb. 13:1; 1 Thess. 3:12).  There ought never be any doubt about the love we have for those who are our companions in the Lord.  Paul was vocal and direct about His love for the saints:  “just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace” (Phil. 1:7).  He said the Corinthians were his epistle written in his heart (2 Cor. 3:2-3).  These heartfelt sentiments should be natural to a child of God.  Surely Barnabas, who spoke so freely and easily in defense of Paul shared his co-laborer’s desire to express his love for the saints.

I shun the impersonal “like” or “thumbs up” symbol of social media, opting instead for methods of personal contact and communication.  I write letters by hand, make old fashioned phone calls just to “catch up” and see how brethren are doing.  I send messages expressing my gratitude  to brethren for their zeal and devotion to the Lord. I write and thank people for their influence over me at times when I needed it most.  When using electronic media, I choose to send actual emails and text messages or voice messages rather than mere emojis.  There is no substitute for using your own voice to say “I love you, brother.”  

I want to speak up for brethren when they are falsely accused.  Many people adopt the cowardly position, when they hear an accusation against a brother, “Well, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know what happened, so I will just stay out of it.”  I say again, this is the coward’s response!  Suppose the brother truly is being falsely accused?  Not only is his life torn to pieces, by the rumor, innuendo, or outright lie, but the one making the false accusations is in sin (Prov. 6:17,18; 25:18).  In such cases there are at least two people whose souls are in jeopardy:  the falsely accused, who might be so discouraged that he might give up the life of a Christian (1 Thess. 5:14), and the liar who accused him without “two or three witnesses” (1 Tim. 5:19; Mt. 18:16).

When accusations are voiced, we can dismiss many of them out of hand, because we know the accused too well to believe such things.  When there is less certainty, surely, we should investigate until we have found what the truth is.  Do the saints not deserve at least the “benefit of the doubt?”  

This is the way Barnabas would have handled things.  If he believed a man innocent, he would have stood with him, even against those who accused him.  We see this in action when Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement about John’ Mark’s maturity at the start of the second missionary journey (Acts 15:39).  Barnabas did not agree with Paul’s assessment of his cousin, so he stood by John Mark.

I am determined to follow Barnabas’ example and stand by good brethren against lying, deceiving accusers.  I will not cower in fear for my own reputation, but will worry more that justice is served.  If I later find the accused is guilty, I will respond accordingly.  The truth will come out if we do not run and hide from it!

I want to encourage faithful brethren to keep up the good fight of faith.  The New Testament teaches that the life of a Christian has many ups and downs.  It is a joyful life, but we are often buffeted by sorrow. Persecution comes to every disciple (2 Cor. 12:10; 2 Tim. 3:12).  Families are sometimes divided by member’s commitment to the Lord (Mt. 10:33-34).  When brethren fight in the Lord’s army, they must have singleness of mind (2 Tim. 2:4).  However, the stress of battle, and the fatigue that comes with it can be more than a match for anyone, but a kind word of support and encouragement can be just as powerful in reviving one who is reaching the end of his reserves of strength.  A good old, “Well done, good and faithful servant” would be the exhortation of Barnabas, and it should be mine as well.

Conclusion:

It costs so little to involve ourselves directly and personally in the lives of those who serve the Lord with us.  Let us think less of our own petty concerns and put others ahead of ourselves.  Let us be more like Barnabas.  Let us be sons of exhortation.