In an earlier post I shared 2 qualities of a friend we can see lived out in the life of the Bible Character, Barnabas (2 Qualities of a Real Friend). I want to share three more:
A Friend is a Spiritual Influence on Others
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 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. (Acts 11:22-24)
In this passage news had come to the church in Jerusalem that revival has broken out in Antioch – people were becoming Christians. The Apostles had no question who to send to encourage the new believers. 
Barnabas encouraged the new believers in their faith. This is a part of a person that is overlooked. The most important part of any person is not their body, but their spirit and soul. A friend who helps physically but doesn’t offer spiritual help – sharing the good news about Jesus, encouraging others to follow the Lord – isn’t really all that great of a friend.
In his book “Another Chance,” Dean Merrill, tells the story of a professional man who lost his job and was forced to take a menial construction job. Day after day, he was subjected to the crude language and humor of his boss and coworkers. One day he made a rookies mistake which made him the butt of jokes for days. Finally he decided that he would work one more day and quit. That day happened to be payday. As the offensive foreman brought him his check, he made his first civil comment to him in three weeks. “Hey, there’s a woman working in the front office who knows you. Says she takes care of your kids sometimes.” “Who?” He named the woman, who sometimes helped in the nursery of the church where the man and his family worshiped. The foreman then went on with his rounds. When the man opened his envelope, he found, along with his check, a handwritten note from the payroll clerk: “When one part of the body of Christ suffers, we all suffer with it. Just wanted you to know that I’m praying for you these days.” He stared at the note, astonished at God’s timing. He hadn’t even known the woman worked for this company. Here at his lowest hour, she had given him the courage to go on, to push another wheelbarrow of mortar up that ramp.
A Friend Works for the Success of Others
“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.” (Acts 11:25-26)
Saul had been out of the picture for about 9 years. Barnabas needed help leading the new church at Antioch. He went looking for Saul and trained him to be a church leader. At the end of the year, the pair went on a missions trip. Scripture refers to them as ‘Barnabas & Saul.’ But at some point Saul’s name was changed to Paul, and God began referring to them as ‘Paul & Barnabas.’ Barnabas had trained Saul so well that he surpassed him in leadership, and Barnabas was his greatest cheerleader.
Forty thousand fans were on hand in the Oakland stadium when Rickey Henderson tied 
Lou Brock’s career stolen base record on May 1, 1991. According to USA Today Lou, who had left baseball in 1979, had followed Henderson’s career and was excited about his success. Realizing that Rickey would set a new record, Brock said, “I’ll be there. Do you think I’m going to miss it now? Rickey did in 12 years what took me 19. He’s amazing.” What Lou Brock did in cheering on Rickey Henderson should be a way of life in the family of God. Few circumstances give us a better opportunity to exhibit God’s grace than when someone succeeds and surpasses us in an area of our own strength and reputation. A good friend will be happy at the success of another. Ronald Reagan once said there’s no limit to what we can accomplish if we don’t care who gets the credit.
A Friend is Slow to Judge Others
“And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;” (Acts 15:36-39)
Barnabas again saw potential in someone despite a past failure. Rather than labeling him as a quitter, Barnabas gives him another chance. Anyone who has read the Gospel of Mark in the Bible is glad Barnabas was that kind of friend. Even Paul later decided that Barnabas was right about Mark. “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” (2 Tim. 2:11).
Barnabas was a great friend and a great example of what a friend should be. But there’s one friend in the Bible who demonstrates in a way that makes Barnabas never could – that friend is Jesus Christ. Jesus demonstrated His love for us by sacrificing HImself for us.
Are you a friend?
Do you know Jesus as your best friend?
What friend should you thank God for putting in your life?
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