David Bahn – Reflections

I hate to say it, but there were a few seminary classmates, colleagues, and acquaintances who would spark less than an enthusiastic response when I would see them coming. In fact, some I might even head down a different hallway, avoid an encounter, or engage only the briefest time, while always seeking a quick exit point. How can I get out of this conversation?!? [For the record no one who is reading this falls into this category – as far as I am aware!] You know the type. Extra grace required people. Those who take more than they give. Those who suck the energy out of the room. Those who grab the spotlight, corner the conversation, and won’t let go. Ugh. Wears me out just to think of them.

I have to wonder, however, if I’m not one of those people to some one else in this world. I wonder whether some people avoid me, or are always looking for an excuse to disengage me in conversation. I suspect that may be true of me, and most all of us – sad to say. It’s possible, moreover, that a few of us have people who have simply written us off. We will never get a hearing or gain a relationship apart from the intervention of God.

Paul ends this first part of his letter to the Galatians saying that there were people who “glorified God because of” him. I know, however, that there were people who did not glorify God because of Paul. He had his detractors. There were plots on his life. He was not on many people’s list of people for whom they were thankful. 

But there are those who saw and experienced the blessings God brought through Paul. And they glorified God because of him.

Rather than focusing on the people who detract, dismiss, or despise us, we can take Paul’s example to heart – insofar as we represent Christ to others. In other words insofar as we reflect the grace and truth of Jesus and people see Jesus through us, we must pray that God gets the glory. And if people dismiss us because we are faithful witnesses to Jesus, we let that fall on Jesus. It may make us sad. But we need never own the hatred of others because of our Christian witness to God’s grace and truth.

Next time someone smiles at you because of an act of mercy or a word of grace, let that be credited to God. May his name be praised. Rejoice in the glory to God on account of your faithfulness, love, and witness.

I first became aware of how God shapes and strengthens us through trial and challenge when I was in college. After a brief hiatus from school because of very poor grades, and a failed real estate career attempt, I returned to college. I had not stopped hanging out at the Lutheran Campus Center there – even when I was not attending college. And the combination of failing grades, career challenges, and an unravelling romantic relationship with my girlfriend was taking taking its toll. I felt like I was in a ringer of life’s challenges.

Then I discovered James 1:2, “Count it all joy when you face challenges of every kind, for…the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.” And 1 Peter 1:6-7, “There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine.” Those challenges remained even after vocation and romantic relationships were settled. I recall a sermon in chapel one day at the seminary. Dr. Eggold preached in Romans 5, reminding us that we can and should rejoice in our sufferings because they make us stronger. 

Paul’s spiritual formation take place over the 12 to 14 years between his conversion and his commissioning with Barnabas at the church in Antioch. He was shaped by God through his preaching and interactions with the Apostles in Jerusalem, and no doubt through his relationship with Barnabas. This was a period of testing, and while Saul was preaching in the various areas, this activity would be eclipsed by his later missionary work. Even that remarkable productive and effectual time included times of remarkable challenge.

Peter and James are mentioned by Paul here in Galatians 1. Their writings along with Paul’s reflect a truth that Paul experienced first hand. No doubt so did Peter and James – and many others throughout the ages. God shapes us through hardship. 

We may yearn for times of rest and peace. Those times are blessings for which we rightly thank God. But when times are challenging we can also thank God, for he is shaping us and forming us and refining our faith. And God is glorified when we look to him, seek his strength, rejoice in his goodness, faithfulness, and love.

I’ve had the opportunity to write a number of letters of recommendation. From high school students seeking endorsements for a scholarship, to people seeking recommendations for a job promotion, to people seeking enrollment into a Concordia to become church workers, I’m always glad to offer a word of recommendation. Sometimes they are more robust than others. But in some cases the recommendation is so strong that I end my letter by saying, “If my endorsement of [this candidate] aids his/her entrance into your program, I would be very honored.” In other words, while I may be recommending someone, and they get the kudos in the body of my letter, I also receive honor by offering my recommendation.

I wonder whether Peter (Paul calls him Cephas), and James felt honored to have been visited by Saul (he would become known as Paul when he began his missionary work in the Greek-speaking world). Were they aware of the impact he would have in his missionary work? Were they aware that they would have to contend with this dedicated missionary who made a strong case to admit Gentile believers into the fellowship of the church? Did they have any idea that he would write more of the New Testament than either of they two?

Yet it was vitally important that Saul gain their acceptance and even their endorsement as a legitimate church leader and apostle. Paul’s claim to be an apostle is not just a matter of authority but a testimony to the grace of God at work in his life. His apostleship reveals the transformative grace of God, who redeems and equips people for His mission. By embracing this calling, Paul demonstrates how God’s grace can overcome even the darkest past and extend His love and salvation to all people. This claim also reassured the early Church of the divine origin and truth of Paul’s Gospel message.

That stands by itself, and truly God was the one who called Paul into service. At his conversion Jesus spoke to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Then at the church in Antioch, the Holy Spirit said, “Set aside Barnabas and Saul for the work I have for them.” That said the human factor remains, and having the endorsement of Peter and James would serve him well – some years later as he writes to the Galatians. This will become evident in Galatians 2 when Paul recounts his confrontation of Peter “to his face.” Sometimes even within the church and among those who respect each other there needs to be challenging conversation and clarifying discussion. Paul will speak about that also in Galatians 6 where he urges we handle even the erring in gentleness and as we bear one another’s burdens.

I greatly value relationships where two people can speak truth to each other in love and iron sharpens iron. I highly recommend such relationships.

My good friend, fellow photographer, and heading-for-the-seminary college classmate, Jerry, once said, “It’s pure grace, Dave. Pure grace.” He was talking about some of the silly, dumb, hair-brained, dangerous, and sinful things we did when we were in college. I wish I didn’t have to include sinful in that list. But there it is. Maybe you would have to include that word in describing some of your college shenanigans.

There’s just one problem with my description: I’ve placed them all in the past, my college days. As though I don’t do silly, dumb, hair-brained, dangerous, and sinful things anymore. Hopefully the degree of those various things are not as extreme as they were back then. What WAS I thinking? But there are yet some things I must admit to having done for which I am ashamed on the one hand, and thankful for God’s grace on the other hand.

Unless God’s word is in error, we must all admit to sin in it various forms: omission, commission, unknowing, and thought, word, or action. God’s grace is precious to those who acknowledge their sins. That’s true even though we would wish not really to need it. Yet there it is. Sometimes we marvel at the grace of God. Jerry and I were reflecting on the abundance of God’s grace toward us, and expressing our thanks to God for his pure grace. So many things could have done wrong. What were we thinking?

Paul testifies to the grace of God in regard to his election. He had been set apart before he was born, and called by God’s grace to serve Christ. He is writing to the church in Galatia to bring them back to the freedom we have in Christ. And he needed to establish his bonafides as a legitimate servant of God. He needed to pull rank over the people who had come into their church and caused confusion, even leading them away from faith in Jesus.

But he doesn’t do this apart from testifying to God’s grace. That’s the beauty of a true Christian witness. We don’t have to prove ourselves to be better than anyone else. We can point to God’s grace to us: his undeserved kindness, love and goodness toward us – in spite of the sinful, silly, dumb, hair-brained, and dangerous things we have done.

That’s a powerful witness and the only one worthy of a follower of Jesus: Pure grace!

“I know why you’re here, and you aren’t going to change my mind.” He was adamant. And I thought, “The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” He was on a path that would greatly compromise the message of Jesus. He didn’t realize it until I shared a story with him.

A man was making an evangelism call on a man who looked vaguely familiar. He couldn’t place how he knew the man he was visiting. “Look,” he said, you’re down at the Lodge every Monday night telling us that there are many paths to God. But here you’re telling me that Jesus is the only way to salvation. You need to decide which is true.” 

My friend realized he had to decide as well. Would he join the Lodge, or not? His adamant resolve dissolved before my eyes. He didn’t join.

Paul speaks of his dramatic conversion here in his letter to the Galatians. He “was advancing in Judaism beyond many of his own age among his people, so extremely zealous was he for the traditions of his fathers.” But God had other plans. His conversion was radical and far-reaching. From violent persecutor of the church to the most dedicated and prolific missionary of the New Testament. 

We might be tempted to wish we had such a dramatic conversion story. We might think that our witness would be more powerful if we could brag about of sinful ways before coming to know Christ. We might imagine we could be more effective in our sharing of the gospel if we could point to a dramatic before and after witness.

But God uses people who are willing to share their faith however they can. For the power of the Holy Spirit depends not on the person sharing the gospel, but on the gospel message we share. Paul himself says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). He also confesses that when he is weak then he is strong. That’s because the power of God to change hearts and lives is God’s power.

No one would ever concoct a religion like the Christian religion. Consider these fundamental Christian truths:

God became a baby. Seriously?!? We’re all used to the stories of babies growing up to be a king, a celebrity, a star athlete. But it doesn’t go the other way. Who would design a religion like that?

God’s Son dying even for those who crucified him. We may know of stories of heroism, but heroes who die have monuments – some of which are dusty and forgotten. Who would design a religion like that?

The leader of our religion teaching that we become great by becoming small. We are used to people telling us we’re overcomers, we’re destined for greatness. Who would design a religion like that?

That a man three-days dead is alive again, and the first witnesses of that were women. Today we have no issue with women serving in any number of different ways. But in Jesus’ day women were not considered reliable witnesses. Who would design a religion like that?

God is eternally three persons in one essence. That simply does not make sense. But that’s how the Bible reveals God’s essential identity. Who would design a religion like that?

Of course God did not consult us when he “designed” his religion. In fact God didn’t design his religion at all. In fact some would say ours is not a religion. A religion is that which man does to manipulate God and get him to do what we want him to do. Ours is a faith in the God who created the world and everything in it. He has revealed himself to be gracious, loving, merciful, just, and holy. He invites our faith and our worship and promises that whoever believes in him will live forever.

That’s no design. That’s no religion. That is the faith which Paul believed and proclaimed. That’s not man’s gospel. That is the God’s honest truth.

Jesus says, “See that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he!’ and they will lead many astray” (Mark 13:5-6). Paul says, “there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ” (v. 7). 

Why would anyone want to do that? Some possible reasons:

• Mislead Misleaders: Some people are misled themselves and gather people around and lead them astray as they themselves fall away from truth. Jesus calls such people blind guides.
• Egotistical Attention-Getters: Some people just want attention. They want to feel important. They need the spotlight. They need all eyes focused on themselves.
• Narcissists: Those who are excessive self-centered, have an inflated sense of their own importance, and a strong need for admiration. We sometimes use the term casually (I put those people in the category above). But narcissistic personality disorder is a clinical diagnosis that requires evaluation by mental health professionals.
• Angry and Alienated Displaced Powermongers: Some people have lost power. They miss the opportunity to influence others and will cast aspersions on true followers of Jesus in order to regain their former place of honor.

Any of these kinds of people can distort the Good News of Jesus. But the true gospel message is precious, and beautifully expressed in these truths:

• God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. – John 3:16
• For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9
• All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. – Romans 3:23-24
• For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23
• Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
  He was manifested in the flesh,
      vindicated by the Spirit,
          seen by angels,
  proclaimed among the nations,
      believed on in the world,
          taken up in glory. – 1 Timothy 3:16

This is the message Paul was defending; the truth that people were abandoning. They were being led astray by people who wanted all the attention, who did not believe it themselves, and who were themselves terribly deceived.

This gospel, however, is a precious truth, never to be abandoned or distorted. This is why I keep studying and proclaiming this Good News.

Paul makes a strong statement about his motives and priorities at the end of this opening section of his letter to the Galatians. He writes, “Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man?” He is committed to seeking the approval of God — as opposed to gaining the kudos and congratulations of men at the expense of honoring God’s laws, values, and the gospel message.

On the one hand this is a nonsense statement. He has the approval of God through faith in Jesus. Jesus is his righteousness. For Jesus’ sake, Paul has been declared righteous. This has nothing to do with anything he has done or refused to do (to the good). In other words, God’s approval of Paul was not related to his zeal for God’s mission. Nor was it related to his refusal to give in to the circumcision party. It wasn’t withdrawn because he had persecuted Christians. Nor was it taken from him because he approved the stoning of Stephen.

Man’s approval, on the other hand, is all about outward actions. You are approved by men when you do the things they want. You are approved by man when you hate the right persons, don’t cause waves, or when you tout the politically-correct ideas. That’s how man’s approval works. It’s all about works. There may be a smidgen of grace sprinkled in here and there. But if you don’t bring the goods, you don’t get the prize. Or the sale. Or the applause. Or the audience.

We walk such a fine line these days in the North American Church. On the one hand we must be sold out to God. Totally committed to following his word and keeping his commandments – and urging our people to do the same. On the other hand we don’t have to wear a chip on our shoulders because we’re Christians.

I’m listening to a fascinating podcast about the rise and fall of Mars Hill, and the ministry of Mark Driscoll. Mark had a way of combative in-your-face preaching and teaching that made him notorious. It became dictatorial, to the point that some considered him misogynistic and emotionally and spiritually abusive. He seemed to be proud that he had offended so many people.

But the same Paul who spoke of his refusal to seek the approval of man also said that a pastor should be well thought of by those outside the church (cf. 1 Timothy 3:7). We must remain faithful to the truth of God’s word without fear of what man might think of it. We must at the same time do all we can to give a winsome witness to the grace of God in Jesus.

This is no easy task. But the Savior we serve and whose message we share took on an even greater task to redeem us – fully pleasing God and securing our salvation.