David Bahn – Reflections

Psalm 31:23

Love the Lord, all you his saints.

Mark 12:32–33

The scribe said to Jesus, “You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that ‘He is one, and besides him there is no other;’ and ‘to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,’ and ‘to love one’s neighbor as oneself,’—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 

Martin Luther spoke of his relationship with God before his discovery of God’s grace and justification for Jesus’ sake. He said, “I did not love a just and angry God, but but rather hated and murmured against him.” I don’t know if I could be that honest, but I do know that a deep and abiding love for God is difficult for me to maintain. In fact, love for God often seems more of a duty than a grace-inspired move of my heart. My love for God is too often like my love for my wife when we’re quarrelling: It’s there, but it’s begrudging.

Clearly this command to love God requires a willful and purposeful attitude of delight, joy in, and a desire to be in his presence. To love God with our whole heart, understanding, and strength requires much more than tepid lip service, occasional prayer, and periodic check-ins with him. This calls for us to engage our minds, hearts, and even our physical self in love for God.

Thankfully we also learn that God’s love comes first to us. He woos us with his grace, kindness, goodness, and mercy. He knows how miserable we are when we give our hearts to things other than him. He knows that he alone is worthy of wholehearted devotion. As such his command is an invitation. He invites us to find our life in him. He invites us to look to him as the greatest good in life.

Perhaps we are struggling with understanding and believing in the goodness of God, and his love for us when we struggle to love him. If that is the case, we need look no further than Jesus, God’s Son, God’s gift, and God’s salvation for us. His love will move our hearts to love him more than we could ever begrudgingly will ourselves to love him. Thank you Jesus!

Psalm 34:3

O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. 

John 1:6–7

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.

Self-identified “evangelical leaders” met with Donald Trump recently, and although most did not formally endorse him for President of the United States, a few did. It was also noted by World Magazine (in their daily podcast) that there is a divide within the evangelical political right: the younger leaders being less willing to embrace Trump’s candidacy, while many old guard (notably, James Dobson for one) embrace him. I have my own thoughts on the idea of either of the two major party presumptive candidates being President, but that is not a matter for this blog. My point has much to do with “Americanism” and conservative politics, as opposed to Christianity and the message of Jesus Christ, his gift of salvation, and his call for us to follow him, as we embrace his rule and reign in our lives.

I probably align myself with a sentiment I saw recently posted on the prayer wall at St. John. The card, which serves as a way of sharing prayer requests, read, “Don’t let Trump or Hillary be president.” But I certainly align myself with the words of Psalm 34, and with the message of John the Baptizer: I want to exalt the name of Jesus Christ. I want to bear witness to the Lord, and encourage others to do the same.

For that reason, as strongly as I feel about the high value of life, and the importance of good morals for the survival of society, I tend to steer quite clear of politics here or in the church. I appreciate strong voices who affirm life, and defend religious freedom. But I am willing to give up religious freedom if the name of Jesus Christ is exalted, and more and more people are brought to faith in him.

I pray that we will not face a complete loss of religious freedom in these United States of America. But I also recall what happened in the years after Chairman Mao kicked all the missionaries out of China: the Church exploded in growth. Millions and millions of people became followers of Jesus Christ.

Whatever your feelings are in regard to the election, America, or religious freedom, I hope you stand with me in exalting the name of the Lord, and bearing witness to the Light of the World, Jesus Christ so that more and more people will believe in him and be saved.

Psalm 18:35

You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand has supported me.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (NASB)

The kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 

Talk is cheap. Rappers can rip off word after word in cadence, rhyme, with our without expletive eruptions. Politicians and pundits can rattle off statistics, bringing anecdotal evidence to their latest cause celeb. Con artists can smooth talk and misdirect by their words. But where there are many words, sin is not absent (Proverbs 10:19).

God, on the other hand, has spoken few words. But those words have impact! By God’s word the world was created. His, “let there be” translated into there being. When God speaks his word of grace, we are saved.

God has not just spoken, he has acted; his Word became flesh in the person of Jesus. He has saved us from our own self-destructive devices, from death’s doom, and from the devil’s deceit. He has defeated every enemy by his Son’s life, death, and resurrection. We are now under the gracious rule and reign of God. He rules in our hearts by faith – not by coercion, threat, or raw power. His love captures our hearts, and his rescue places us in a place of safety, security, and purpose. We have the power of God through his word.

Every time we show love to our neighbor, or see God’s healing touch in the life of a loved-one, or experience justice in this world, we are seeing the rule and reign of Christ writ large. That gift is a shield and support in all of life.

Deuteronomy 10:12

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

1 John 2:5

Whoever obeys his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him.

It is one thing to acknowledge that “there is a god.” It is quite another to acknowledge that the Lord God is worthy of our love, heartfelt service, fear, and obedience! God requires that we fear, love, and trust him above all things (as Luther would say). And that’s no small order. In fact, it is impossible to do so perfectly. We are doomed to fail – try as we may.

We would have no hope were it not for God’s love. John tells us that God’s love is perfected in those who obey his word; not that our love for God and others is perfected. Elsewhere John tells us that we love because God first loves us. God’s love is his first move; it is steadfast, redemptive, and unconditional. God’s love moved him to send his Son to redeem and save us from eternal condemnation, for an eternity of joy, praise, celebration, and delight.

God had rescued his people from bondage in Egypt when Moses wrote the words of Deuteronomy 10. Now that they had been rescued he required their complete devotion. God’s love has been displayed in Jesus’ perfect life, ministry, suffering, death, and resurrection. He is our righteousness. He is our perfection. We are now called to obey his word because of God’s love to and in us.

To believe that Jesus is Savior and Lord is to rely on his righteousness and to reflect that righteousness in all we do and say. When we fail and when others fail us, we can thank God for his forgiveness and reflect that same forgiveness to those who have sinned against us. Thi sis the perfected love of God: to us and through us to others.

Deuteronomy 4:39 (NIV)

So acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other.

Acts 17:27–28

He is not far from each one of us. For “In him we live and move and have our being.” 

Sometimes the simplest truths are both vitally important and taken too easily for granted. For example, the sun will rise soon in the east. Simple, vitally important, taken for granted. Gravity functions: same story. The light comes on when I flip the switch: likewise. Perhaps there are people who don’t believe in gravity, electricity, or daily rhythms, but they are few. On the other hand it does little earthly harm to take those realities for granted.

When it comes to God the same cannot be said. That he exists, that there is only one God, and that he gives us life is a confession of believers. Most people also believe in the existence of God. What makes true believers different is the ability to name God, acknowledge his unique reign, and embrace his daily provision with thanks and faith. The truth of God’s existence, identity, and daily provision must not be taken for granted.

God is the One who sent his Son, empowers us with the Holy Spirit, and receives our prayers as a kind and gracious heavenly Father. This we believe. To look to another for these things is sin, but thankfully God’s daily provision also includes forgiveness for Jesus’ sake together with everything we need to support this body and life.

These truths may be simple, but they are profoundly important, and worth recalling daily.

Psalm 138:6

Though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly; but the haughty he perceives from far away.

1 Corinthians 1:28

God chose what is low and despised in the world.

Few of us think of ourselves as better than everyone else. Few of us look down on others. We may think that the drug dealers, human traffickers, terrorists, and other low lifes are severely on the wrong path – which they are! – but we know we’re no better. We know and believe that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.

The world, however, thinks differently. If you’re not making multi-billion dollar deals, rallying huge crowds of supporters, garnering the limelight for your latest accomplishment, or jetting off to some exclusive Caribbean resort, you’re low and despised in the world’s view. If you’re not really smart, beautiful, rich, or powerful, you have no standing in the world’s eyes. And that’s most of us.

Thanks be to God that he chooses the humble and brings down the haughty. For Jesus died for the sins of the world. And that means sinners are special to him. If you don’t think of yourself as a sinner, why would you need a Savior? But if you realize that apart from God’s grace you have no hope, you are in a place of great honor; the Creator of the Universe has a high regard and calling for you. Those who look to Jesus will find eternal joy and salvation no matter how low they may be viewed by the rest of the world.

Jeremiah 23:28

Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord.

1 John 4:1

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Diane and I are doing a dietary supplement-based “Ten Day Shred” dietary cleanse. Part of that involves a particular type of protein drink that is gluten and dairy-free. This is a different product than that is recommended at the health club/gym I frequent. I am struck by the emphasis on the purity and type of ingredients used in these products. It makes a difference what ingredients are used, and how they are combined with others to cause or prevent inflammation, bloating, or other issues. Purity and content makes a difference.

How true that is, and even more so with regard to spiritual truth and God’s word. Just as straw has nothing in common with wheat when it comes to nutritional value, false prophets have nothing in common with God’s word when it comes to spiritual health. We are warned to recognize that.

Some might argue that the subtle differences between various religions or theological nuances are much like questions about whey or soy protein; it’s all a matter of opinion. These verses would say otherwise. God’s word is to be remain pure – there is to be no mixing of human ideologies, traditions, or philosophies with the pure teaching of God’s word.

There are many false prophets in the world today. Some offer spiritual junk food – pleasant but gravely unhealthy. Others mix the word of God with human sensibilities that sound appealing but lead away from God’s truth. Our calling is two-fold: we must speak truth (always in a spirit of love, for that is essential to God’s truth), and we must reject those teachings and teachers who do not speak truth (no matter how loving or appealing their words may seem).

All this is because the Holy Spirit uses God’s word to lead us to Jesus Christ, and through him to abundant eternal life. Anything else is a lie which the devil will use to steal our joy, kill or hopes and destroy our souls.

Psalm 94:11

The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are but a breath.

Romans 12:16

Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Sometimes it’s good to have a Mom. OK, it’s always good to have a mom. But sometimes it’s good to have a dose of Mom’s Humility Elixir: “I used to change your diapers,” can bring us back down to earth. When we’re too full of ourselves or too quick to judge others a dose of humility elixir of the mom kind will be far more welcome than a face plant from on high for the whole world to see. Better we have a gentle reminder than a public revelation of our foolishness.

Jesus put it in the positive: “But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.”

This is not easy. And I chuckle when I read Moses’ own description of himself: “Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” How do you say that out loud, or write it for all to see?!?

Jesus, on the other hand not only told people to be humble, he modeled it. He is the incarnation of humility. He did not take advantage of the privileges rightfully his, and chose even to suffer and die on a cross in order to redeem us.

Our humble attitude does more than simply reflect the truth of who we are and are not, it aligns us with Jesus, and places us in a position from which we can mediate Jesus’ redemptive love for all people – great and small.

Numbers 23:12

Must I not take care to say what the Lord puts into my mouth?

Acts 4:20

We cannot keep from speaking about what we have seen and heard.

Recent events have people talking. Whether it is about the terrible mass shooting in an Orlando nightclub, the over-abundance of rain and flooding in Houston, or the presidential candidates of both parties, people easily wag their tongues.From Facebook to coffee shop, to water cooler, most people have an opinion. Many are willing to express it loudly.

My Tuesday morning prayer group is no exception. We meet at a local restaurant for conversation and prayer each week. I look forward to our weekly gatherings for that purpose. When there are things heavy on my heart, these are my guys, and I deeply appreciate their encouragement and support. I also enjoy our conversations on topics ranging from hydrocarbons, to airplanes, to mole sieves, and politics. But sometimes I am almost embarrassed by the tone and volume of our political/social commentary. Why is it so easy to get carried away by the hot-button issues of the day?

We may be concerned about the moral and spiritual wellbeing our nation and leaders. We may have legitimate concerns for the good of our children and grandchildren. We might even need to talk about church politics (yikes!) once in awhile. Somehow, however, all these must be put into the context of God’s rule and reign in Jesus Christ, and our privilege to represent him in the world. Somehow the message of God’s redemptive love in Jesus Christ must center us.

Perhaps we need to pray early on that God would put good things into our mouths and that we would speak them. Perhaps we need new eyes to see what God is doing in the midst of the chaos and crises of life. In the end, we must fix our eyes upon Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising its shame and now sits at the right hand of God. That is a vision worth talking about.

Psalm 143:10

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on a level path.

Colossians 2:6–7

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith. 

When we come to faith in Jesus Christ our sins are forgiven. We are welcomed into the family of God. Our eternal destiny is secured in the life, suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus for the sins of the world. There is nothing more we need do to be saved. It’s a done deal. We cannot sin ourselves out of God’s favor. His grace abounds over our sins (cf. Romans 5:20).

God calls his people to do God’s will, follow his paths, and live with him, not in abandonment of his ways and presence. This is the work of the Holy Spirit from first to last. He calls us to faith in Jesus by which our sins are forgiven and we are saved. But the Holy Spirit does not stop his work there, he leads us along the level paths of God’s favor and blessing.

We who have been called to faith, will seek to be rooted in Christ, built up in godly living, and walking on the level paths of the Spirit’s leading. That means more than just not doing bad things, it means that I will seek to honor God in every interaction, decision, and situation I face. Thi is the level path of God’s blessing – not in order to be saved, but because he has saved me.