The Bible “Barney” was such an encouragement to people that the early Christians gave him the nickname, “Son of Encouragement.” His secret was full surrender to “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (“Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas, which means ‘son of encouragement,’ sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostle’s feet.” –Acts 4:36–37.)

Yielding to the presence of “Christ in you” empowers Christians to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” It enables Christians to sincerely “weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice,” so that they can experience ekklesia, the Spirit-led town hall meeting that Jesus is building.

Positional power, however, seeks to maintain institutional interests. Its focus is on organizational control and protocol, not on encouraging individuals to live their “Christ in you” life now — in the present moments of today.

Where are the sons of encouragement who will bring hope to a culture that is wallowing in meaninglessness and despair? The more a society spins the truth the faster it spirals down the axis of confusion. Who will reach beyond the hopelessness and point us to the light of truth?

We need to learn from the tale of two trees. People who build their life on “the tree of the knowledge of good evil” begin to doubt, deny, and defy God. People who build their life on “the tree of life” actually rely on and depend on the risen Jesus and His word throughout the day and are supernaturally encouraged and empowered to embrace and spread hope, no matter what happens. They become the “sons of encouragement” — the Bible Barney.

Don’t worry be . . .
Surrendered to
“Christ in you,
The hope of glory.”