“Grace”
Grace With Others
While we are never to compromise the
Gospel of Jesus, or our stand with Christ, we should extend grace to those who
have not yet reached the position that we have attained in the growth process
known as spiritual maturity.
Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark travelled
together preaching the Gospel. At one
point during the journey, when the going got tough, Mark got going and deserted
Paul and Barnabas to return home. When
Paul decided to revisit the cities they had previously preached in, Barnabas
suggested that they take John Mark along with them. Paul was opposed to this idea and after arguing
with Barnabas about it, the two of them eventually went their separate ways
because they could not agree on this matter.
One thing that Paul had not taken into account was that when HE was a
new convert, Barnabas was the one who endorsed him when others did not believe
in the authenticity of his conversion.
However, as Paul matured, he recognized the maturity that Mark had
developed as a result of being properly mentored by Barnabas. In his later years, Paul began to once again,
travel with Mark in ministry because he recognized Mark’s usefulness.
When we first give our lives to Christ,
none of us are the person we will become by the end of the journey. Each of us will need to receive grace and EACH
of us will need to extend grace.
Romans 15:1
Now we who are strong
ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not just please ourselves.
