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.”

The Real Deal

Romans 12:9-21

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

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True, real, and genuine love is a challenging calling, but it is ours in Jesus Christ. The admonition, “Let love be genuine,” has few words, but many implications. The first challenge is that of grounding love in something more than just a kind disposition toward others (it is that, but so very much more). Learning what is evil and good, and filtering love through the filter of what is truly good and evil is the first calling of love. Having true brotherly affection is the second. This is no emotional warm-heartedness, but a strong sense of connection by blood – in this case the blood of our Brother, Jesus Christ the Lord. Being zealous in doing good, fervent in prayer, hospitable – all in service to Christ, through our service to one another.

But wait! There’s more! Look at the list: blessing those who persecute you, rejoicing with those who rejoice, living in humble harmony with others, and being thoughtful toward others, as you seek to let God be God, and the final arbiter of justice. This is no pubescent hormonal reaction, but a thoughtful, willful, deliberate, and intentional attitude and lifestyle of grace and goodness toward others.

I tend to fall off the road in being too lenient; I’m actually a very soft touch. Some are more inclined to be skeptical and hard-hearted. Jesus was the perfect embodiment of this balance for whom we can all give thanks. As we seek to show love toward others, we can keep in mind that our calling is to mediate God’s love – shown in Jesus – and in doing so, overcome the evil one with the goodness of God. That is no fluffy sentamentality, but the real deal to which God calls us out of his love and grace to us.

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