ARE YOU GROWING?(3)

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*ARE YOU GROWING? (3)*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Acts 11:25-26 *Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul:*

*And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.*

*Insight and Highlight.*

Christian growth, Christ's calling and human mentoring.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

In furtherance to yesterday's insight and highlight of Christian growth and mentoring, it is important to understand that though a Christian grows as he follows Christ who calls him, Christ recommends a vital way of growth through human mentors as well.

In other words, it is not sufficient for any Christian to say God has called me but he should be traceable to a human mentor.

In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus had an encounter with Jesus and his life was immediately transformed.

Saul had a human mentor in Barnabas.

Barnabas was arguably the most crucial human instrument whom God used in Paul’s early growth, acting as his validator, mentor, and advocate.

Saul returned to Jerusalem and tried to join the disciples, but they were afraid of him and avoided him, doubting his conversion.

Barnabas championed the move to not only accept Saul but he also vouched for him. This was why they accepted him.

In Acts 9:27, Barnabas validated Saul by first bringing him back to the disciples recounting to the disciples that his encounter with Jesus was true.

Acts 9:27 says *But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.*

This act of Barnabas' intervention teaches us that God's calling upon a person's life does not rule out the validation of such person's spiritual credentials (before other people) by a human mentor.

It may be immature for a Christian to say God has called him and he needs no human validation of it.

This teaches us that Barnabas, not only validated Saul but also his act of vouching for him to be accepted teaches us that Barnabas stood as a human mentor who would be a reference figure or a guarantor for Saul in case of any need to reference any detail on Saul.

A human mentor remains one of the most assured way to legitimize or make official publicly a true proof of Christ's calling in the life of the Christian. The human mentor stands as a human standard of an assist to God whom the Christian can clearly hold as an authority and as a standard for

maintaining stewardship, accountability and stability.

Subsequently both Barnabas and Saul partnered. He later sought out Saul in Tarsus to assist him with the growing church in Antioch and this occasioned and launched their partnership in missions (Acts 11:25-26). 

This is further important because no one knows when you are converted but a human mentor serves as a human witness of God on your behalf bridging the gap.

Barnabas' intervention bridged the gap between a distrusted, former persecutor (Saul).

Do not be surprised if you are asked who mentored you when you are confronted with apostolic leadership.

Having a Godly mentor can facilitate your smooth journey in God's service just as

Barnabas' act of mentorship facilitated Paul's entry into ministry in Antioch, and co-led the first missionary journey that established Paul as a major apostle. 

This act of mentorship was instrumental in transforming Saul from a persecutor into the Apostle Paul. 

Are you growing?

You can grow through a Godly mentor.

Do you have one?

*Remorse corner.*

Though you have been converted and called by Christ's direct action, God still leaves the opportunity of an act of mentorship to validate His calling upon your life.

*Call to Word action.*

Though Saul's encounters with Jesus was a complete work of salvation, Barnabas' act of human mentorship was instrumental in transforming Saul from a persecutor into the Apostle Paul.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Without God, Saul will not be Paul.

With Barnabas, Saul's journey from a persecutor to an apostle and God's will for him in ministry was accelerated.

*Prayer.*

Lord, use me as Your mentor to accelerate Your purposes in the lives of people in Jesus name.

Good morning all and have a blessed day.

God bless you.

Shalom.