David Bahn – Reflections

“Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’
    and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”
26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’
    there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

I still remember the moment. It was at a church convention where one of the persons there made a point. He was a fifth generation Texas Missouri Synod Lutheran. I am a Texas transplant, raised in the Baptist church, and without any claim of family legacy or standing – at least compared to him. Frankly, however, he knows and believes as I do that God calls those who are not his people, “sons of the living God.” That’s quite an honor and a big step up.

But it is quite dangerous to miss such a step – just as it is dangerous to miss a step walking up the stairs. On the one hand you might be able to fake it when it comes to missing a step on the stairs. The recovery might be relatively easy – especially for a physically-fit person. But if we miss the step up to being called “sons of the most high God,” we will be forever sad. Second to that danger, is that of assuming we have a right to be called the “sons of the most high God.” In fact such an assumption leads to missing the step in the first place. In other words, if we presume that we deserve to be in God’s favor, we are in grave danger of never experiencing it.

There may be many ways to be reminded of the high privilege of being God’s sons and daughters. But the best way is to read the Scriptures and be reminded of our utter unworthiness before God – and with that the incredible favor and grace of God by which he bestows that identity on him. That is a big step up, but required an even bigger step down on God’s part. Thankfully, God took that step, so that we could take it too. We are ushered by his grace into the highest realm of God’s love and grace. Thanks be to God!