I am deeply disturbed...

I have been deeply disturbed by some writings that I came across recently. Now, before I go further, I think it is important to understand that I don't read many books. I am not one that is very much into the latest religious bestseller, nor do I purchase a book because it was written by some well-known name in the Christian community. I look for books that will bring life, even if those books were written long ago. Such is the case with The Cost of Discipleship, written in 1937 by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Dietrich was a German pastor who opposed the Nazi regime, and was involved in an attempt to overthrow Hitler. The plan failed, and Bonhoeffer was arrested and eventually executed. Yet, in his book, which I have not completed, he made two profound statements which rattled my core. In his discussion of cheap grace, Bonhoeffer wrote that "my only duty as a Christian is to leave the world for an hour or so on a Sunday morning and go to church to be assured that my sins are all forgiven." Why does this comment disturb me so? Because it still rings true today, maybe even more than when it was written. I go to church to fulfill my weekly obligation, and then I go and live life the way I desire the other six days of the week. I so easily forget the words of Jesus as He prayed in the garden of Gethsemane: "Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." I had to look at myself and admit that there were areas of my life where I have accepted the cheap grace that Bonhoeffer describes.

The next statement is actually a question that Bonhoeffer poses, and that is this: "How can we live the Christian life in the modern world?" While the answer sounds simple, its execution is not. The simple answer is obedience to Christ. But how do I do that unless I know what I am to obey? Here again is the result of cheap grace. It is not necessary for me to study the Bible; that is the job of the pastor. And because he is a pastor, he is held to a higher standard than I am. When will I get to the point where I begin to see that I am the problem, and the only way to become a part of the solution is to accept the grace that will cost me something, and that is my life? It is easy for me to read the words of Paul when he says that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. Yet, is that what I do? Has the Gospel of Christ affected me personally?

Another year already!

WOW! Time truly seems to go so quickly. It is already 2008! So much has happened in the past year, but the most significant event is the fact that I began a local fellowship, called the Family of God of Cincinnati. We are currently meeting our local YMCA. This was clearly a case where the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak! However, the Lord makes provision when we endeavor to accomplish His will and not ours. Our focus right now is laying the proper foundation, which we are doing by focusing on developing our character. There is a Scripture that the Lord has given me, which I will share in another post, that has brought life to those which I have spoken to. I pray that it will do the same to those who choose to read this blog. May God bless you today!