David Bahn - Reflections

Lament is a faithful cry to God. But grumbling is a faithless complaint against God. Or put it this way:

• Lament says, “Lord, I don’t understand, but I turn to You.”
• Grumbling says, “God, You’re not doing enough. I deserve better.”

You may be struggling desperately with troubles, distress, fear, and pain. Bring those to God. He will hear you. God says, "Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you and you will glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).

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This is an appeal to the personal identifiable God. He is known by his name. He is not merely a spiritual force. He is the God of the covenant with his people. When Moses was sent to Pharoah to release God's people from slavery, he told Moses that his name was "I AM WHO I AM. Tell them I AM sent you to them." The divine name YHWH (often pronounced as Yahweh) comes from the same Hebrew root H-Y-H ("to be"), reinforcing the idea that God is the ever-present, self-sufficient One.

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It may not be fair that the church today is known for being judgmental and arrogant. But we can do our part to reflect these characteristics of our God - even in a skeptical and hostile world. What better way can we echo Jesus' perfect love than to endure insults if we have to and yet hold to a spirit of love, joy, and peace?

What shall we be known for? More important, how can we better let God be known as the God of perfect grace and life-giving truth?

I was confirmed as a college student. The pastor gave me a confirmation verse that aligns with these thoughts: Jesus says, "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). 

I'm taking this to heart today, and rejoicing that I don't have to fight the Holy Spirit's work in my heart. He leads me back to Jesus, and gives me precious gifts of patience, goodness, kindness, and love.

We are saint and sinner. And the surest sign that we are saints is that we have a conscience that troubles us when we sin. The greatest danger signal to our spiritual welfare is when we stop feeling bad about something that we know is not right or godly. 

It is not an easy battle. And there are times we might wish to be done with it. But God calls us into this battle, and promises to protect us.

Next time you feel the brunt of others' criticism, take heart. You are in good company. Sadly, there are those who delight in disturbing others. Being criticized might be thought of as a red badge of courage. On the other hand it is simply a reality of life in a fallen world. And when we do experience such troubles we can take heart in remembering Peter's encouragement: ""Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed" (1 Peter 4:12-13, NIV).

The issue Paul was facing in Galatia wasn't just about circumcision. It was about how that requirement nullified the Gospel and undercut the grace of God. He writes, "I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace." 

We must never cede the Gospel in favor of even the finest sounding extra requirements. But more often than not our conflicts within the church are about preferences, and matters of opinion about which honorable men and women can disagree. In that case, civility must prevail. Jesus has freed us from the curse of the Law, from condemnation, and from the power of sin. We honor him best when we love and serve our brothers and sisters in Christ, holding them in honor and esteem - even if they want pink paisley carpet in the chancel... well maybe not pink!

Not every sip of whiskey leads to an alcoholic's nightmare. But there are legitimate dangers we must avoid when dealing with any potential domino effect action. In the case of adding any additional requirement than faith to our salvation the dangers have eternal consequences. Certain clothing. Specific worship forms. Contrived initiation rites. These are the poison-tainted Kool Aide which we must not drink!

Once we get off of the treadmill of doing good so that we're safe from harm, danger, or judgment, we will find great peace and true freedom. We're free - not to do as we please in hedonistic pursuit of every distraction and sin, but to serve one another in love. We're free to give the forgiveness we've received, for we don't have to worry about running out. We're free to serve one another freely for we're not trying to gain anything by our acts of kindness and grace.