The word of His grace

[Acts 14:1-7]

The term "logismoi" is a word used by the desert fathers in the Greek language. This word refers to false thoughts and desires that lead to sin and despair. Logismoi are deceitful thoughts of the devil that go against the teachings of the Bible. They compel us to engage in sinful actions and corrupt speech. D.T. Bonhoeffer confessed, ‘We often spend a long time trying to get rid of thoughts and worries that oppress us when we should be praying and musing on God’s word’ (Internet). How about our own faith life? Could it be that we are unable to accept God's word due to false thoughts and desires (logismoi) that lead to sin and despair?

In today's passage, Acts 14:3, the author Luke refers to God's word as “the word of His grace." The context behind this word of grace is when Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Iconium, faced persecution, and were driven out (13:50). Following the principle of Paul to first preach to the Jews, they boldly proclaimed the gospel in the synagogue of the Jews (Park). The people in Iconium who heard the word of grace through Paul and Barnabas were divided into two groups (v. 4). I would like to meditate on these two groups and receive a lesson on which group we belong to.

The first group opposes the word of grace.

Who were the ones opposing the word of grace?

They were the ones who did not accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

In other words, those who opposed the word of grace were unbelievers. These unbelievers did not believe in Jesus, even after hearing the word of grace through Paul and Barnabas. These unbelievers were not among those whom God had predestined to receive eternal life (13:48). In other words, those who opposed the word of grace were not chosen by God.

Those who opposed the word of grace were disobedient.

In Acts 14:4, when Paul and Barnabas preached the word of grace and were divided, the Scripture refers to the first group as those who followed the Jews. The term "disobedient" in Greek means 'reluctant to be persuaded' or 'resisting obedience due to inhibitions of faith.' Unbelief and disobedience are linked. To not believe in God's word is to be disobedient. The term "disobedient" can be understood as one who not only does not believe the gospel but also resists and opposes it (Park). Their rebellious actions led to causing offense to the saints (believers) who believed in Jesus (v. 2).

Those who opposed the word of grace persecuted the servants of the Lord.

Look at Acts 13:5 - "There was an attempt by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them." Some of the citizens, along with the Jewish leaders and officials who sided with the unbelieving Jews, conspired to openly mistreat Paul and Barnabas and even plotted to stone them (Park). They actively cooperated and persecuted the servants of the Lord, Paul and Barnabas. They went as far as attempting to stone them to death, similar to how unbelieving Jews stoned Stephen. Remember, those who opposed the word of grace not only opposed the gospel and Jesus but also opposed us, believers.

The second group consists of those who follow the word of grace.

Who are those who follow the word of grace? In short, they are the ones who follow the gospel. In other words, they follow the gospel that forgives the sins of those who believe in Jesus and grants eternal life. They are the ones who heard the gospel of Jesus Christ through Paul and Barnabas and turned back to God. They were the ones who followed the two apostles, Paul and Barnabas (v. 4). We can consider those who follow the word of grace in two main aspects:

Those who follow the word of grace believe.

Look at Acts 14:1 - "Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed." They are the ones whom God had predestined to receive eternal life (13:48). Therefore, they received faith as a gift through God's sovereign grace and believed in Jesus by welcoming His word into their hearts. Even though it may seem unbelievable, God chose a people whom He grants faith, enabling them to believe in the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, which are seemingly unbelievable events (v. 41).

Those who follow the word of grace obey the word of God.

A prime example can be found in today's passage concerning the apostles Paul and Barnabas. They boldly proclaimed the gospel of Jesus Christ even in the face of adversity and persecution. Look at Acts 14:3 - "So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands." Even in a situation where unbelieving Jews stirred the hearts of the Gentiles, causing them to believe in Jesus (v. 2), Paul and Barnabas demonstrated even greater boldness in testifying to the word of grace. They performed signs and wonders as a testimony to God's grace in their ministry. They continued this powerful ministry for an extended period of time, even in the face of ridicule and danger. When they experienced insults and perceived a threat to their lives, Paul and Barnabas fled to the cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding country, where they continued to preach the gospel (vv. 6-7).

We are those who follow the word of God's grace. As we grow in faith, believing in Jesus Christ, we must live in obedience to God's commandments (His word). This is because of God's grace.

Let us all follow the word of God's grace. Let us seek the wisdom to treasure the word of God: "How does God's grace come to us? It comes through His word. He has stored His grace in His word. The essence of the word is Jesus. In Jesus, grace and truth were abundant. Indeed, in Jesus, there is an abundance of grace and truth in the word. Jesus is the source of grace. He is the fountainhead of grace. Therefore, we must always treasure the word. We must receive the word abundantly and hold it in our hearts. The word is a treasure. The word is a seed that creates the future. The word is a healing power. The word is power. The word is wisdom. The word is life (Internet).

Yearning for the word of grace,

James Kim

(With a heart desiring to experience the blessing of obedience to the word)