Christian Community

Last week we finished up our study of J. Gresham Machen’s book, Christianity

and Liberalism. This week we begin looking at Life Together by Dietrich

Bonhoeffer. Without further ado, let’s dive in!

The first chapter of this book discusses living in a Christian community. Right

off the bat this book was incredibly convicting and given me a fresh perspective

on community and the Christian life. One of the greatest and most overlooked

blessings in the the American culture is that we have Christian communities

that can meet and live together. This allows Christians to grow and encourage

one another in their walk with Christ.

In his earthly ministry, Jesus lived among his enemies and through this we learn

that we are not promised an easy life. The Kingdom of God is to be brought in

the midst of our enemies which requires us to leave the safe confines of our

community and interact with the broken world. Bonhoeffer quotes Martin Luther

saying, “...he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of

Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the

bad people but the devout people” (17-18). This way we betray the mission of Christ.

Being a part of a Christian community is a source of strength and joy for believers.

However, this comfort should replenish us to continue working towards the

Kingdom goal. We need other believers to remind us of truth and direct us to the

foot of the cross.

If we find ourselves in a situation where we are surrounded by a Christian

community we must be continually grateful for this blessing. We have been given

an opportunity for growth that many people have not been given. This leads me

to one of my favorite quotes I have ever read:

“Only he who gives thanks for little things receives the big things. We

prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us,

because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. We think we dare not be

satisfied with the small measure of spiritual knowledge, experience, and

love that has been given to us, and that we must constantly be looking

forward eagerly for the highest good. Then we deplore the fact that we lack

the deep certainty, the strong faith, and the rich experience that God has

given to others, and we consider this lament to be pious… if we do not give

thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed...we

hinder God from letting our fellowship grow according to the measure and

riches which are there for us all in Jesus Christ” (Bonhoeffer 29).”

This is only a portion of the quote (for the sake of space I had to cut it down) but I

highly recommend reading it in its entirety. When I first read this quote I was struck

with conviction and shocked by how applicable it is to my life. For so long I have

been discontent with where I am in life. I, as Bonhoeffer says, look eagerly towards

the highest good or where my life is going instead of being grateful for the blessings

I have now. I was also struck by the idea that we consider our desire for more to

be pious. But before you can be given deep knowledge and blessings you must

be a grateful steward of the things you have. You must be willing to make sacrifices

for the betterment of the Christian community and be willing to endure hardships for

the sake of the gospel.