David Bahn - Reflections

Next time you have an opportunity to do a good work, attach that to God’s grace, and his advance preparation for you to do the good thing. Paul was told about this after Jesus intervened and saved him from persecuting others and continuing on his path of self-destruction. Our rescue may be a bit less dramatic, but our calling is the same: walk in the good works that God has prepared for us to do - for his glory and our neighbor’s blessing.

Just as Peter's encounter with Jesus and his naming as Rock-Man would lead Peter to speak of a living-stone building, Paul's encounter with Jesus' question: "Why are you persecuting me?" will shape his understanding of the church. We are the body of Christ. Redeemed. Sanctified. Saved. Enlightened. Gifted. Holy. One body, working together for the sake of each other.

The New Testament is written in koine Greek - the common language of the common man. God wants our hearts, so he speaks to us in our heart language. Engendering faith. Sustaining hope. Inspiring love.

This is the second of three times Paul will recount the events leading to his conversion. The story is always the same - with new details added or omitted each time. But it goes like this: I was a violent persecutor of the Church and of people who followed Jesus. I was on my way to take more prisoners when I was struck down by a blinding light. Jesus spoke to me asking, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” I learned that Jesus was truly risen from the dead, that he has the power to transform a person’s life, as he did mine. He died for our sins and was raised from the dead. He can transform your life too.

Paul does not protest when the Tribune and soldiers show up to rescue him. It was an Any-Port-in-a-Storm moment for him. Wherever he might find safety and rescue it would be welcome. 

I notice, however, that he does not let this traumatic situation move him away from his mission. When the danger has passed - or rather when he is no longer in imminent danger - he will ask to speak. Guess what he will talk about...or who? We'll talk about that tomorrow...

Jesus' followers are urged to be zealous for love and good works. We must be careful that our zeal is tied to the grace and truth found in Jesus Christ.

Please Note: I misidentified the James reference by one verse in my recording today. The correct reference is James 1:20. The quote is accurate.

Sometimes we may need to protect ourselves from those who would desecrate our religion, demean our Savior, or ridicule our faith. But to assume from the outset that someone is not worthy or welcome in God's house is a dangerous and destructive thing to do.

Here is the link to my photos from our teaching time in Tanzania: https://fbgpbd.smugmug.com/Tanzania-2024-PLI-International

God’s source of grace and blessing is inexhaustible. It never runs out. We won’t use it up by passing it on. We won’t siphon the wellspring of his love dry. Jesus offered the woman at the well, living water,  “a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” We who have been blessed by the riches of God’s grace are to invite others to take the water of life without price. They won’t hear that invitation unless we take that invitation with us into the world.

Imagine being part of a movement of God that blesses and transforms people, and brings healing to the nations!

We don't have the same kinds of vows that Paul experienced in Jerusalem. But we do have occasions when we must show the sincerity of our beliefs and intentions. It's more than putting earnest money or a deposit down when we buy or rent a house. It is like saying, "I do," or "I promise with the help of God," or I so promise, so help me God." And keep these promises we must!

These offerings, vows, and purifications were done because of God's favor and work in his heart, not as a means of gaining God's favor. His whole message stressed this vital truth - one we must keep in mind whenever we seek to honor God by any means - while we were still sinners, Christ died for us, forgave our sins, and offers us eternal salvation by his grace through faith.