David Bahn - Reflections

We need not worry about issues like circumcision or other Old Testament rituals. Nor do we need to rely on outward manifestations of the Spirit to prove to ourselves that we are true believers. Simply hear God's word. Believe what he says. Rejoice in his salvation. This the the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I'm not sure I like being called evil - by Jesus or anyone else for that matter. But I'd rather be corrected and taught humility than be allowed to abandon God's grace in an ill-advised attempt to impress the king of the universe any day. Truly, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted" (Proverbs 27:6).

I am thankful to be crucified with Christ - to have those parts of me that go against God’s ways nailed there and die. That’s why my life of faith is so precious. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. I believe his promises are true. I believe God is good. I believe it is better to live in ways that honor God. By his power and with his help, I live faithfully and resist temptation. But I never outgrow the need for the cross, Jesus’ forgiveness, and God’s mercy. I believe Jesus gave himself for me, and I am deeply grateful: now and forever.

I believe that’s what it means to be crucified with Christ and yet to live.

Living unto God is more than a two hour Sunday morning stint. It's everyday life in humility, hope, kindness, mercy, and love. It's a reflection of the way Jesus lived. And it is a life free from condemnation because he lived it perfectly and has secured our eternal salvation.

Every year I've offered a light-hearted prayer before the meal at the Northwest Houston Photo Club Christmas party. Here's this year's offering. It's based very loosely on "Sleigh Bells."

Paul died to the law so that he could be alive to God. I want to join him there and celebrate now and throughout eternity his goodness, grace, faithfulness, justice, glory, and love. I hope you will join me there at the foot of the cross.

We are all sinners in need of God's forgiveness and grace. He will also make it clear that God is the author of our faith; it's his gift to us by the Holy Spirit. If we ask how good we must be to please God, to be saved, or to qualify for his love, the goal is far too high. If we ask how good, faithful, gracious and loving God is, we will also never fathom the height, depth, breadth, and length of those qualities.

We must ever keep that in mind. 

There may be those who wish to throttle our freedom. And sometimes it can become messy when we encounter different practices and preferences. But I stand on Augsburg Confession Article VII, which says in part, “And to the true unity of the Church it is enough to agree concerning the doctrine of the Gospel and the administration of the Sacraments. Nor is it necessary that human traditions, that is, rites or ceremonies instituted by men, should be everywhere alike." And I stand on Galatians 5:1, "It was for freedom that Christ has set us free." Let no one spy out that freedom!

God is good all the time. He is the one rock of life and salvation. We may weave and wander. We may stumble and fall. But God is good all the time. All the time, God is good. Never wavering. Never slumbering. Always steady and true.

On this Thanksgiving day, thank God for his goodness and all the gifts you enjoy - all by his goodness and grace. All the time. Thanks be to God!

The saying "Praise in public, correct in private" emphasizes the value of publicly affirming others to build confidence and morale while addressing critiques or sensitive issues in private to preserve dignity and respect. That second part, especially, is very much in line with Jesus' instructions about confronting someone as recorded in Matthew 18. We must do it privately until there is no hearing possible.