David Bahn – Reflections

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind ¹⁶ by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 [ESV]

I recently encountered a photo of a gathering at which I was present, and I looked for myself in the photo. Too many people. Too small faces. Me, not found. But whenever I look at the Bible, I do find myself. Sometimes in encouraging ways. Often in sobering ways. Ultimately in thankful ways because of Jesus’ presence with me in those passages.

True, Jesus sometimes has some very harsh things to say to religious people. In fact it was the religious leaders with whom Jesus was particularly challenging. Whether calling them whitewashed tombs, or children of the devil, he was not afraid to call them to account for their actions. But to anyone who was willing to humble himself before God Jesus was remarkably kind and merciful. The woman at the well: The woman caught in adultery: The sinful woman who anointed him with expensive perfume: all received words of kindness, grace, and mercy. I’m happy to be numbered with them.

Paul echoes Jesus’ values and interactions in dealing with the Thessalonians. They had suffered. They had remained faithful. And Paul expresses solidarity with them. He has words of encouragement for them. He is willing to call them brothers.

The Thessalonians are the focus of attention and love on the part of Paul. Perhaps you can identify with that: a dedicated servant of God has expressed love and encouragement to you. You have been in the prayers of a prayer warrior. Someone who is a follower of Jesus has visited you, offering God’s word of grace and truth. That’s where you can be in this picture of Christian love and concern.

May it never be that we are in the group who seeks to thwart others from gaining access to Jesus. We must not be the source of discouragement to faithful followers of our Lord. We must never get in the way of one who is spreading the word of Christ. Ridicule, criticism, grumbling, and fault-finding all do exactly those things. Let that never be our place in the picture!

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind ¹⁶ by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 [ESV]

I learned photography from my friend Jerry. He had a friend,Tim, who was also a photographer. He was a year ahead of us in school and quite accomplished. He regularly had photos published in the local newspaper, and once rigged up an enlarger in his basement, bought a giant sheet of photo paper and made a very large print. I got to help with that project. Cool!

But one time I did something that was not cool. I had been assigned to take a photo of the SEMO University cheerleaders. Tim also had the same assignment, but from a different publisher. He had been there first and had lined up the cheerleaders in a very pleasing arrangement and taken the photo from atop the bleachers. It seemed like such a great set up, I simply stepped in after him and took my own photo from the same vantage point with the cheerleaders in the same pose. That was not a good idea. “Don’t you ever steal my setup again!” was his simple and direct comment to me afterwards. Sometimes imitation is the best form of flattery. But in this case it was not flattery, it amounted to infringing upon his artistic creation.

In the case of the Christian walk, however, imitation is the best form of discipleship. When you see someone living out their faith with integrity imitating their form of life is a very good thing to do. Paul even here calls the Thessalonians to imitate the churches in Judea. They were an example of faithfulness, discipleship, prayer, and missional focus. It seems likely to me that Paul would be alluding to the church in Antioch which had sent him out on his first missionary journey. They had also suffered for the sake of the gospel. But rather than turning away from the message of Jesus or abandoning their strong missional identity, they continued to support Paul in his work and sent him on three separate missionary journeys.

That’s an example worth following. During the past 18 months Diane and I have had opportunity to visit a number of different churches. I have noted some of the very excellent things these churches do for the sake of God’s kingdom. Whenever I can I tell others of these practices and efforts I do so. Strong and ongoing mission trip support year after year. Hospitality that is obvious and genuine. Commitment to excellence in facility care and worship experience. Discipleship programs that truly engage people in daily discipleship practices.

Those are modern day examples. They are worthy of imitation. That’s not theological or spiritual infringement. In fact whenever we can we ought to invite others to imitate our faith and way of life.

You say you’ve got some failures, sin, and missteps in your walk with Jesus? So does everyone else. Lead by example of contrition, repentance and a renewed commitment to live out the truth that God has revealed to us. He will come for his own and we will be eternally happy because of his great love and merciful redemption. Perhaps our example will embolden others to follow that path of faithfulness as well.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind ¹⁶ by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 [ESV]

I’ve enjoyed an ongoing conversation with a friend regarding pride as the root sin. His contention – one that I am not able to refute – is that pride is the root of all sin. Pride certainly moved Satan to rebel against God. Satan used pride to tempt Eve, “You will be like God, knowing good and evil…” Pride led Eve to take the forbidden fruit. Pride may have played into Adam’s demur and consequent eating of the forbidden fruit – though I might make a case for fear as the cause of his action. Nonetheless, pride is certainly a terrible evil.

In our conversation my friend pointed me to a website of which I was aware, but to which I never go without being pointed to it be someone I know. Dedicated to upholding truth at all costs, the writers opine on things germaine to current theological issues in our church body. My friend shared an article on pride from that site with which I mostly agreed. I did not see much stated about the reason for an attitude of humility as opposed to pride – beyond the fact that pride is an affront to God, and a terrible sin (which it surely is).

But Paul, here, expresses a deep love for the people of Thessalonica. They are true brothers in the faith, and have suffered like difficulties and even persecutions for the sake of their faith in Jesus. His love for them, and his willingness to acknowledge them as brothers in suffering is an act of great humility. I’m not sure many people suffered to the extent Paul did during his missionary activity. But Paul considers them brothers in suffering.

Humility before God is essential. Humility before our sisters and brothers in Christ is the beautiful adornment of true faith. It is the handmaid of grace and truth. It is essential for true teaching, learning, and fellowship.

When a love of truth is combined with an attitude of humility great beauty unfolds. Discarding truth sullies humility, turning it into sentimentality. Truth held without humility is like a noisy gong and clanging cymbal (cf. 1 Corinthians 13). We have both of these in these few verses. I hope to display that beauty in my  teaching and life. I hope you will too.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. ¹⁴ For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind ¹⁶ by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!

¹⁷ But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, ¹⁸ because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 [ESV]

I’m not surprised when people outside the church ridicule or oppose the Christian faith. I wish everyone loved God, delighted in his word, and believed in Jesus. But I know not everyone does. I realize there are those who are vehemently opposed to any spread of the Christian faith. I am not unaware that some are dedicated to persecuting Christians.

But when people who identify as the true defenders of the faith start attacking fellow believers it so discourages me. Paul speaks of that here, recounting the battles he had with the Judaizers in the early days of the Christian church. The believers in Thessalonica had endured persecution from their own countrymen. But they endured that persecution because they were convinced that God had spoken to them through Paul. They received the message of Paul as a message of God. And they were willing to stand fast on the basis of that word.

This brings Paul joy. He is delighted that they remained faithful. He even calls these believers his glory and his joy.  Edward’s (not his real name) wife and two daughters first began to attend the church where I was serving as pastor while he remained at home. He was skeptical of the faith and the claims of Jesus to say the least. Sometime later, however, he yielded to my invitation and we studied the basic teachings of Jesus. He ultimately confessed his faith and was confirmed as a member of the church. He later became an elder, and even started leading a Bible study with Russian-speaking people. Now he is an dedicated and faithful Lutheran pastor. I know of three other men who followed similar paths and now serve as pastors. If anything is my glory and joy, it would be these four men. And I just thought of a fifth one as well!

Sadly, however, the pathway to such service is not always easy or without opposition. Even more sadly, sometimes the opposition comes from within the church. I recall the first encounter I had after stepping foot on the seminary campus for the first time. I experienced nearly an inquisition regarding my theological orthodoxy. Fellow classmates sometimes were extreme in their criticism of my understanding. Fellow classmates! On one occasion a stranger provided me with an extremely vulgar physical gesture upon seeing me wearing a clerical collar. That was painful enough. But the attacks and challenges from within the church have been the most painful.

The word of God, and the conviction that I stand on God’s word, clearly expressed and conveyed gives me the strength and will to continue. I wouldn’t suffer much resistance for any other reason. I pray that you, Dear Reader, attach to, align with, and commit to God’s word alone. No political affiliation, no human association, no club oath, no ethnic identity deserves such complete and total allegiance.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

I preached today at Fishers of Men Lutheran Church in Port Isabel, Texas. The link above is to the recording of that message.

https://anchor.fm/david-bahn/embed/episodes/Facing-Change-for-the-Sake-of-Christs-Mission-Why-Change-e1ncuoa

Join me in praying these psalms on this Lord’s Day. Things happen when we pray that otherwise would not have happened.

Psalm 4:1

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

I know a little bit about hard work. I once spent a day carrying railroad ties across a field replete with uneven ground, gullies, rocks and incline. I’m trying to paint a picture here of a difficult-to-traverse course carrying ½ of a creosote-soaked railroad tie. It was almost more than I could physically accomplish. I have done some other significant physical labor: carrying bundles of shingles up a ladder to the roof of a two-story house I was helping build. I’ve shoveled gravel to level the ground before carrying wheelbarrows full of concrete to pour the slab of a cabin I helped build.

None of that stacks up against the 7 months I worked in a brick factory. During those 7 months I handled about 1.2 million bricks. And if you pass by the Budweiser brewery in St. Louis you can see some of those 1.2 million bricks in one of the large red brick buildings there. Even now, I marvel at the men who didn’t do that for only 7 months, but for years on end. Perhaps there are some women too. But I don’t know of any. I do, however, know about hard work.

Until I retired from serving as a full time pastor of a large and growing church, I didn’t realize that such non-physical labor can also be burdensome. But it can. I’ll admit I had it easy compared to Paul and his companions. I was never shipwrecked, stoned, thrown in prison, or whipped as he and they experienced. But it is sometimes difficult to carry a brother or sister in Christ – Neil Diamond (He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother) notwithstanding.

I think also of brothers and sisters in Christ who live and serve the cause of Christ’s kingdom in places like Kenya, Tanzania, China, and Russia. I’ve visited all those places and the living conditions and challenges of ministry there are formidable. It may not be politically correct to speak of those places as third world countries. But the term seems apropos. In the face of communist-dictated atheism, Islamic extremism, and corruption and temptations of every kind, ministry requires steadfast faith, courage, strength, and resolute commitment.

All this pales, however, in the face of Jesus’ hard labor for our salvation. I sense that reality expressed in Hebrews 5:7, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” He was heard, but he still suffered death. His work for our salvation was a lifetime of faithful service to God and man. He healed the woman with the issue of blood, dealt with the child’s father’s anxiety at that time, explained again and again to his followers (not his enemies, mind you!) that he came to suffer and die for the sins of the world. Such was his work in our behalf. He did that because of his great love for the Father and for us. His labor was truly a labor of love.

And Jesus is still at work in us. He even now offers supplications before the Father’s throne, and seeks our good. He works also through those who serve his kingdom’s goals, and sometimes in spite of us.

And his work is not in vain if we daily repent of our sin, and take up our cross and seek to “walk in a manner worthy of God.”

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

I remember it so vividly. The pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cheyenne, Wyoming was 80 years old, but fit as a fiddle. He was also the District President. And he was a strong leader. Direct and forthright. Clear and able to make his point. On one occasion he had cause to make his point with me. I had provided a funeral service for a man I had seen in the hospital…without his knowledge or permission. As a vicar, you’re really not supposed to do anything without permission. And he let me know.

But that’s not what I vividly remember. One Sunday he had preached on John 6:37, where Jesus says, “Whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” He so very eloquently and kindly laid out the gospel promise of Jesus. No one would be rejected if they come to Jesus in humble faith. He is open to all. His heart is open to all. He receives sinners. Such good news. And that Sunday, a young woman, as she left the church said with deep emotion in her voice and demeanor, “Thank you so much for that message. I really needed to hear that.” I don’t know what in her life made that so important, but I knew the message had a powerful impact on her.

I also vividly remember the way he would sign his letters…or at least one letter I happened to see. “He loves us so much!” How powerfully encouraging that was to me. Our God is a God of mercy, faithfulness, justice, and steadfast love. That is precious good news for me and for us all. When God gave the 10 Commandments to Moses, it says, “The LORD descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.’” And while it is clear that God is no pushover, but a God of justice and judgment, the comparison between God’s justice and his loving forgiveness, is 3 or 4 generations of justice compared to thousands of generations of love. 

Paul speaks of his attitude toward the people at Thessalonica when he says, “We were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children” (v. 7). There is a time for tough love. There were times when Paul was harsh. But on this occasion especially, his tone is kind and gentle, reflecting the very nature of God’s tender love for us. That soothes my soul and comforts my heart. I hope it does yours as well.

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

I was sitting with some fellow pastors in a meeting of a local ministerial alliance. We had a cordial relationship even though we were from decidedly different beliefs and church bodies. That became clear to me as we spoke about evangelism, Jesus, judgment, and hell. One pastor disavowed belief in hell. Another spoke about Jesus as a moral teacher (only). And another rejected the idea of miracles. Then he added, “Of course, I’d never tell my people that!” I shake my head now as I recall that moment. Sad.

It’s also true that proselytizers to the cults will withhold much of their unique and blatantly bazaar beliefs from people as they begin to woo them. Only later does one find out that the LDS belief includes a Mr. & Mrs. God procreating spirit children for their own planet. In fact you may not know that while polygamy is officially rejected by the LDS church, they hold out the idea that a man will have a harem of spirit wives in their celestial realm. No polygamy now, but wait until then!

Paul makes the point that his “appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.” He comes with the truth in no way shaded or obscured. In fact that truth got him in lots of trouble. The cross was a scandal to the Jews. The empty tomb a stumbling block to the Greeks. But he spoke openly and boldly of both.

When I first was exposed to Lutheran teachings I was impressed by two things. Every time I asked a question about a belief or a practice (from Jesus’ descent into hell to the practice of infant baptism), I was pointed to the Bible. Our teachings – even the unpopular ones – come from the Bible. And that was made clear again and again. The second was that we were always led back to Jesus: his love, grace, truth, mercy, and forgiveness. The center of our theology is Jesus, specifically, justification by grace through faith.

Some people don’t feel the need for God’s grace. Their consciences are seared. Some reject the idea that he is the sole repository of truth and the only way to God. Some people reject God’s word. Some people want nothing to do with what they call, “your truth.” But this is our confession, our delight, and our joy: Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father apart from him. We need not look elsewhere. No one else has died for us. No one else has conquered death. No one else offers the pure joy and peace that he offers. And that’s the truth. Let it be told!

David Bahn-Reflections Podcast

For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. ² But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. ³ For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, ⁴ but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. ⁵ For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. ⁶ Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. ¹¹ For you know how, like a father with his children, ¹² we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.

– 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 [ESV]

Maybe you remember the TV program, To Tell the Truth. Kitty Carlisle and Tom Poston were two of my favorite panelists on the program. Three people would claim to be a person of some unusual note, two of whom would have to lie or make up stories to play the part of the real “Sally Smith,” or “Thomas Thompson.” At the end, of the segment, the host would say, “Will the real Sally Smith, please stand up.” And the real one would be revealed. The goal was to outwit the panelists and have them guess the wrong contestant.

I wonder whether we too easily fall into the category of fooling the people around us into thinking we’re someone we’re not. That’s a dangerous ploy, especially if we’re pretending to be Jesus people, or godly people. Jesus called such people hypocrites. They tried to hide their unbelieving hearts by outward shows of piety. They prayed long prayers. They made a show of their religion. They let everyone know of their giving. They dressed the part of pious Jews. But inside they were far from God. Jesus called them whitewashed tombs. 

Truth be told, we are all sinners in need of God’s mercy and grace. For some reason – perhaps because of the added bandwidth in my life after retiring – I’ve become more and more aware of both the temptations around me as well as my abiding need for God’s mercy, grace, and forgiveness. That’s the truth about me. I want to be a man after God’s heart, but I, like Paul, see a different power at work in my heart. The good I would do I don’t do. The evil I hate, I do (cf. Romans 7:18-25). Maybe you can relate to that struggle too. 

But we have been entrusted with the gospel (v. 4): the good news that “not for our own merits, but for Christ’s sake, God justifies those who believe that they are received into grace for Christ’s sake”(Augsburg Confession, Apology [Defence] Article V). We can take that two ways. God has forgiven our sins. God’s Gospel has come to us. That calls for us to live in forgiveness. Rejoice in God’s mercy and forgiveness. Repent daily and claim Christ’s forgiveness. Don’t hide it. Confess your sins. Confess your Savior. Truth be told that is the way to eternal freedom and pure joy. 

But there’s another way in which we’ve been entrusted with the Gospel. We can realize that we have been entrusted with a message to share with others. Indeed we have. Whenever we are able to point people away from their sin and toward Jesus’ cross and empty tomb we are to do so. It might start by telling the truth about our own brokenness and your thanks to God for Jesus’ mercy and grace.