David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Good from Good Treasure

Matthew 12:33-37

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Onion Study
These six onion plants in their various stages of bloom were in our garden one day this spring.

When we try to force things to happen – be it making someone like us, making something good happen, making someone think a certain way – the results are often less than pleasing. That is true when it comes to bearing fruit as a disciple of Jesus.

Some would say that in the same way that we can act ourselves into a feeling, we can do good in order to become good. That’s the opposite side of the coin that says, we’re sinners because we sin. Fact is, we sin because we are sinners. Here Jesus says that good trees produce good fruit. It’s not the fruit that makes the tree good. The fruit proves that the tree is good.

The question, therefore, is how do we become good? The answer is as simple as it is impossible: Repent and believe the gospel.  This is made possible by the life and ministry of Jesus. When he began his ministry he said, “The time has come, the kingdom of God is at hand…” God had broken into our world and was calling people to “repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:14-15). This was Jesus’ initial message.

The goodness that is ours is a foreign goodness, an alien righteousness as the theologians call it. It is the righteousness of Christ in our being by faith. When the Holy Spirit brings us to faith, moving us to repent of our sins and believe the gospel, the reign of Christ is established in our hearts. When we bear the fruit of faith the evidence of his presence is shown.

Our calling each day is to repent and believe. Our lives are therefore marked by humility and love. The fruit of such a life is the faithful acts of love for God and neighbor. Where do you need to show such fruit today? Wherever you find yourself, with whoever God brings into your life. That goodness comes from the good treasure of Christ in our hearts.

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