A little blog from an upstart theologian that will do its best to exemplify Christ while sharing a thing or two along the way.
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| Preachin's Blog A little blog from an upstart theologian that will do its best to exemplify Christ while sharing a thing or two along the way. |
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Thursday, February 23, 2006 Reflections on Faith StrugglesRecently I've been reading much of Dietrich Bonhoeffer particularly his excellent text, The Cost of Discipleship.  One point of faith that he points out is a phrase "Only those who believe obey, and only those who obey believe" and begins hashing this out as an appropriate banner for discipleship and spiritual growth in the Christian life. I was quite captured by this thought over the last several days and have begun to examine this in my life and the lives of many with whom I counsel and convo.How often has someone come to me and said they aren't getting anything out of church or a small group they are attending. I've sometimes said "Just come and listen" or "study harder", something like that which neither answers their real query, commits me to some action, or edifies them in their time of struggle. As Bonhoeffer points out often people in our pews, chairs, or couches are struggling not with the availability to hear, but from letting go of some area of sin in their lives. To have ourselves committed to Christ is every area of our lives is the foundation for continuing to grow in our faith in Him. Part of Bonhoeffer's point here is that faith and obedience work simultaneously in the life of the believer. When Christ calls someone from their boat to follow Him it is their faith and obedience working side by side which promulgates them into the disciples' life. It is through the denial of the flesh and committal to total reliance on Christ through the recognition of His ways, will, and word that we find ourselves at the doorway to discipleship. I am utterly amazed at the gracious work of God through a servant such as Deitrich Bonhoeffer. posted by Preachin Jesus | 2:38 PM | |
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