July 16

Who when he came and had seen the grace of God. - Acts 11:23.

THE dispositions of persons may to a very considerable extent be discovered by the objects which awaken their attention and desire, when they first enter a country, or a town, or a village. Some are immediately looking about for rural scenery, some for natural curiosities, some for modes and kinds of trade and commerce, some for public buildings and the mansions of the great and the noble, some for libraries, some for paintings and statuary. Barnabas was alive to something else. This was the one thing, the chief object of his solicitude and regard. He immediately looked after the cause of God, the last about which some professing Christians at this season, in their travels for health or recreation, concern themselves. In the administration of the gospel, the reception of it by those who heard it, whether it came in word only, or in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance, he saw the grace of God, and was “glad, and exhorted them all that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord.”

The discovery he here made is the subject of the present meditation. “He saw the grace of God.” The grace of God is a principle; how then could Barnabas see it? Seen it must be by God, “to whom all hearts are open, and from whom no secrets are hid;” and known it may be by the individuals themselves when they look within, and in examining themselves, become conscious of the working of their own minds. And it may be seen by others, and that by its effects, and this is the only way it can be seen. We cannot see life in itself, but we can see the individual alive and in motion. We cannot see health in itself, but we can see the freshness and vigour of the eye, and the hue of the countenance, and the eagerness of the appetite, and the strength of the arm, and the swiftness of the foot.

A tree is known not by its rind or its fibres, but by “its fruits.” God says, “I will put my Spirit within them.” But who is to know, or who can see this? Let us read on. “And I will cause them to walk in my statutes, and they shall keep my judgments and do them.” And this will be visible enough. “Show me thy faith,” says James to the professor of religion, “without thy works; I will show thee my faith by my works.” I will show thee the spring by the stream; I will show thee the sun in the shining, and I will show my creed by my conduct; I will show thee my principles by my deeds, and will “show thee my faith by my works.” This was wise and well; for though it is faith, objectively and instrumentally, alone which can justify the soul, it is its practical development, that is, by works alone, that proves it to be the operation of God.

God has determined to be glorified by his people in this world; therefore he has said, “This people have I formed for myself; they shall show forth my praise;” and “all nations shall acknowledge them that they are the seed whom the Lord hath blessed.” If God’s grace is to be thus visible in his people, it is necessary, therefore, that there should be something in them more than experience; though this experience in itself is invaluable, for without it there is no genuine religion.

It is the inward dispositions which must satisfy our own minds that we belong to God. But there are those around us who are to be impressed, and convinced, and edified by our religion; these cannot read our hearts, but they can read our lives; therefore the Saviour said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”