Return and Visit

There is much that can be said about Paul. His story is a wonderful one that shows redemption and how God will always use us. However, I do think there is one lesson from Paul that is often missed.

“36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”

Acts 15:36

This is such a simple lesson, and yet it is one that I think we as believers today need to learn. Paul went back to those whom he preached to. He didn’t just preach to them and move on. He didn’t forget about them. He made it a priority to first preach the word to those around him, and then he went back to check on them. Paul spent time with those who he preached to in order to encourage them, guide them, and ensure that they remained strong in their faith. He also used this as an opportunity to correct any issues that would be found in the growing church and to answer questions along the way.

Why is this important for believers today? So often, we have Christians who seek to disciple others but when the discipleship is over, they no longer check in and see how they are doing in their walk with God. This is detrimental to many today. This is not to say that our actions can keep someone walking with Christ, in the end that is a personal decision that everyone must make, but if we are open with those around us I believe that we will see less people struggling in their faith. We need to build connections with those who are walking with God so when they have questions or are faced with sin, they know that they have people around them who can help guide them in what God’s word says.

Jesus provides this example for us with not leaving those who He had been teaching. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:18. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help instruct, teach and continue on the mission that Jesus had started. This example helps identify the truth in not leaving those who were once under some type of discipleship. Like Jesus, we need to make sure to not leave our brothers and sisters with only a mere shallow understanding of God’s Word, but come next to them and help them grow. Paul and Barnabus took Jesus’ example and applied it to who they were discipling, it is time we do the same.

Seek the truth and encourage one another,

Alex