The Narrow Gate
After his martyrdom at the hands of the Gestapo in 1945, Dietrich Bonhoeffer continued his witness in the hearts of Christians around the world. His became a prized testimony to Christian faith and courage, read by thousands. Now, in Life Together, we have Pastor Bonhoeffer’s experience of Christian community. This story of a unique fellowship in an underground seminary during the Nazi years reads like one of St Paul’s letters. It gives practical advice on how life together in Jesus Christ can be sustained in families and groups. When Christ calls a man, He bids him, come and die.
“Without holiness, no one shall see the Lord. Jesus didn’t die to save us from Hell. That’s a fringe benefit! He died to get total occupation of us. To be holy in speech…in actions…in everything. We want to give God our lousy sins. What do you think He does with them? He wants your will…He wants that career of yours…He wants that selfish heart not to live in selfishness.”
“I doubt that more than two percent of professing Christians in the United States are truly born again.”
“How can you pull down strongholds of Satan if you don’t even have the strength to turn off your TV or refuse a vaccine?”
“The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality, and popularity.” “If weak in prayer, we are weak everywhere.”
“A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men.”
“No man — I don’t care how colossal his intellect — No man is greater than his prayer life.” “Better for you to have one sleepless night on earth than millions in hell.”
“Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?”
“A sinning man stops praying, a praying man stops sinning.” “Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy”
“If you’re going to be a true Christian, I’ll tell you one thing amongst others: it’ll be a lonely life. It’s a narrow way and it becomes narrower and narrower and narrower.”
“The sinner’s prayer has sent more people to Hell than all the bars in America.” “My main ambition in life is to be on the Devil’s most wanted list.”
In todays society there are many devils. The corruption runs deep; Spiritually, Religiously, Financially, Mentally & Emotionally. Humanism continues to rule throughout society which has always been the greatest opponent of true Christianity.
Many families today don’t know our Lord & Savior Jesus the Christ. The majority find meaning in their job title, Phd, doctorate and job description. Recently, while talking to my dearest family member who was headed west for a week of snow skiing after playing music, diving & off shore fishing with friends, I realized what a shallow life. On judgement day what would be the outcome.
Most live life serving themselves while seeking their best daily. In this short life we can have our best or God’s best just as we can operate in our timing or His timing. There is no middle ground. Many today spend lives as wageslaves charting their own course on the way to eternity seemingly unaware how temporal this frail life is. These are interesting days and only the wisdom of our Father God is able to guide & sustain us for all eternity. It’s always about obedience to Christ Jesus. Not my will but thy will be done.