David Bahn - Reflections

Once in a while angels are sent to protect God’s people. Some we may not even recognize. We may have entertained many angels and have been completely unaware of it (cf. Hebrews 13:1-2). They are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:13-14). That’s you and me. Thank God for his holy angels – recognized or not!

We might want to spiritualize this great escape, drawing the parallel between that escape and God’s freeing grace at work in our hearts. We could talk about being freed from guilt and shame. We could think about being rescued from addictions and hopeless futures. Certainly Jesus does that.

But this is about a real escape from a real prison. Sometimes we need earth-bound relief. Sometimes we need a new address. A new boss. A new job. In this case the escape was an answer to fervent prayer. So perhaps rather than spiritualizing this, we might take a page from the early church and pray for an earthly escape of our own.

When that happens, we can praise God for his gracious rescue.

Saul will take the name Paul when he begins to evangelize the Gentiles. He would write the profound and powerful book of Romans in which he says, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more" (Romans 5:20). He would also speak about the grace of God in connection with offerings made by other believers in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9. 

Paul knew all about grace. He recognized that he needed it most of all. We should aspire to know all about grace as well. We need it. And so do our loved ones, neighbors, and even our enemies. 

The Bible speaks of the fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). The Holy Spirit moves us to see evidence of God’s grace in others and to do acts of grace for others. We need the ever-gracious influence of the Holy Spirit in our world, and in our own lives as well.

Grace is freely given, foundational to God's character, a gift of God to man which is received by faith, and not contingent on human merit. How do you see that? 

There are plenty of things to look for and see these days. We can get distracted from God's goodness, grace, faithfulness, holiness, truth, and love. But to look for God's grace will bring great blessings, for  we may just recognize that God's grace is also for us to receive and share.

The disciples in Antioch were first called Christians. The term Christian may hold the same place of dishonor in the minds of many today. Those Christians are a bunch of judgmental hypocrites. They are inflexible on social issues, resistant to scientific consensus, and religiously exclusive. Rather than trying to disprove those accusations here, I find it important to embody the qualities of Christ to whatever extent I am able. I'll never do it perfectly, but if I can be gracious and truthful, merciful and faithful, good and humble, that may help at least one person gain a better understanding of what a Christian truly is: a sinner who has been saved by Grace through faith, loves God because of his great love, and desire his honor and glory alone.

When it came to the message of Jesus, his suffering, death, and resurrection, there is need for people to encourage and help others understand and believe the message. And while it was initially a message kept for the Jews, Gentiles soon heard the message. They learned from the new followers of Jesus about his kingdom and the salvation he brought to the world. They believed and turned to the Lord.

Repentance happens in the heart of a person when the Holy Spirit moves us to acknowledge our need for forgiveness and salvation, and to believe that Jesus has provided that for us by his grace. Repentance is a gift of God. 

Next time you feel sorry for your sins, thank God for the Holy Spirit's work in your heart to recognize your sins. But don't stop there. Believe the good news of Jesus Christ. And thank God for the fullness of the Holy Spirit's work to bring you to the repentance that leads to life. 

I've been blessed to have been silenced on a few occasions. I was blessed partly because I fell silent. I stopped trying to make excuses. I didn't offer a defense of the indefensible. I was blessed more so because God was offering me grace. And grace is a precious thing. 

Next time you are tempted to prattle on ask yourself the question, "Why Am I Talking?" Silence might prove to be a greater blessing to you and those around you. God may want to work on your heart in the quiet moments. Or as I've said before, "Walk a little more slowly. Speak a little softer. Listen more carefully. Because the world is loud and God whispers."

Peter's simple word of grace had an outsized impact. Luke tells us, "When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, 'Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.'”

This is God's gift - sending Jesus to save us, and sending messengers to bring his word to us. Add to that the gift of the Holy Spirit who moves our hearts to repent and believe. 

I've seen short-term results from strong blasts from the pulpit. And I've seen life-changes through quiet and gentle admonition. This is the latter kind. I wish every soul was as open to this gentle message of God's grace.