David Bahn - Reflections

The gospel is a simple truth that Jesus died for the sins of the world so that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Add anything to that - no matter how wise or religious it may sound - and it is no gospel; no good news. We cannot add anything to what Jesus has done for us. We must not add anything to what Jesus has done to save us. We need not add anything to what Jesus has done for us. Just believe. Just trust. Just rejoice. Just live. That may be astonishing in a good sort of way. But it's true.

Paul uses the word, "deliver" to speak not of an item delivered, but of us being delivered from this present age. We have been delivered. Rescued. Redeemed. One commentator observed: The idea behind the word deliver is not deliverance from the presence of something, but deliverance from the power of something. We will not be delivered from the presence of this present evil age until we go to be with Jesus. But we can experience deliverance from the power of this present evil age right now.

God's salvation has come to us. It's a gift of faith which saves us, and sends us to save others.

A Commentary on John Calvin's Geneva

In John Calvin’s Geneva, Calvin aimed to establish a city governed by strict adherence to Christian principles and ecclesiastical discipline. His reforms included the creation of the *Consistory*, a council of pastors and elders responsible for overseeing the community's moral and religious conduct. This body enforced rigid social norms, requiring citizens to attend church, maintain pious lifestyles, and adhere to Calvinist doctrine. Those who deviated faced penalties, which ranged from public admonishments to, in some cases, exile. Geneva under Calvin functioned as a theocratic state where church and civic authorities collaborated to enforce a unified moral and religious vision, but it also led to a stifling environment that restricted personal freedoms and dissenting beliefs. We have been set free by Christ from the condemnation of the Law, and from coercive manipulations toward outward obedience.

This control over both private and public life has been criticized as overly authoritarian. Calvin's governance shaped Geneva into a disciplined, industrious city, yet some historians argue that the rigidity and strict punishments, including for minor infractions, limited citizens' autonomy and created a tense, surveilled atmosphere. His theocratic approach also imposed a sense of collective accountability, as all citizens were expected to uphold Calvin's moral and spiritual laws, resulting in a controversial legacy.

Paul has written about hope was that his people (the Jews) would come to faith (Romans 9-10). Apart from the first Jewish converts that was not the case. But God used this rejection to launch of the mission fully to the gentiles. I’m happy to admit that I don’t know everything. But I do know that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the Old Testament, and I believe in him.

The kingdom of glory is the true hope of Israel, and the true hope of all believers. Sometimes we hope for that day urgently. Sometimes we forget it. Sometimes we despise that hope. For that reason we rejoice in God's grace to us. We remember that we belong to Christ, and repent and believe, living under him in his kingdom. He rules over all things, and the glory of his kingdom to come is more glorious than we can ever imagine.

While I do pray that our nation turns back to God's ways and values, I pray even more that the Holy Spirit would be poured out upon the Christian Church today, and that true revival would spring forth and more and more people's hearts would be turned back to God in repentant faith, and the Kingdom of God would come among us all. God needs no election win. He much more desires to win our hearts.

It seems to me that fear is behind much of the political posturing, accusations, and vitriol. It's not only a matter of fear mongering either. Fear is gripping people on every side of the political spectrum. People believe that if their candidate loses the future of America is at stake. That renders reasonable discourse impossible.

Of course it takes two. Not only do we need to be ready to listen. Those who speak must be willing to speak the truth. We've lost so much of that today. Thank God for those who do listen respectfully and  those who speak truthfully. Best we all seek to get to the truth of the matter. And Jesus is the embodiment of truth. 

Paul didn't want only to get to Rome, but to go on to Spain in order to preach the gospel there as well. Paul was singularly gifted and burdened with the mission mandate. He dedicated his life to bringing the Gospel to new lands and places, people and languages. He never lost sight of this mission. Even as he enjoyed the hospitality of Publius, or healed Publius' father, waited three months before setting sail and arriving in Rome, his goal wasn't just Rome. It was sharing the gospel. This he did all along the way. And you and I are beneficiaries of his dedication and God's work through him. Yesterday was Reformation Day. Learn more about the Lutheran Reformation here.

James writes that this ministry of the church is to be exercised by the elders by anointing with oil, confessing sins, and offering prayer (cf. James 5:13-17).

Two things I have learned as I've studied this important ministry. We don't have to say, "If it be your will," when we pray for someone to be healed.. It is God's will to heal all people. Some will be healed miraculously and immediately. Some medically over time. Some mercifully on the day of the resurrection of all flesh. And when you pray for someone and they are healed immediately it is a glorious moment for them and for the Kingdom. But even if it's not immediate, people are blessed by the loving care and appropriate touch of a brother or sister in Christ.

Next time you have the opportunity to pray for someone to be healed, leave the timing up to God and do so with the confidence of his good will to heal. He's really good at it.

Lady McBeth frets in William Shakespeare's play, McBeth, that her husband, MacBeth, is "too full o' the milk of human kindness" to take the ruthless actions needed to seize the throne. In these days of vicious political attacks, we can certainly understand her perceived need for ruthless tactics. I, for one, can imagine powerful politicians, CEOs, administrators, or generals feel the need for ruthless resolve. Some would call it just being decisive. It seems rare, though, that the milk of human kindness would flow from such high-powered men or women.