September 6 One of my favorite books that I’ve read a couple of times is The Cost of Discipleship by Dietricht Bonhoeffer. He was born February 4, 1906, and his mother was the daughter of Karl Von Hassey, famous 19th century church historian. His father was professor of psychiatry at Berlin University. At age 16, he decided he wanted to be a Lutheran pastor, and became the leading theologian and pastor preaching the Gospel during the 3rd Reich. He became convinced that Hitler was an evil person that needed to be done away with. He was arrested after the failed plot to kill Hitler. When Hitler knew it was all over, and holed up in his bunker in Berlin, he ordered Bonhoeffer executed on Monday, April 9, 1945. One of his relatives who survived along with Captain Payne Best of British Intelligence, and the camp doctor wrote, “Never have I seen a person so submissive to the will of God.” Jesus was talking about the cost of discipleship when He said in Matthew 16, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me; for whoever would save his life shall lose it, but whosoever would lose his life for my sake the same shall find it.” On one occasion when Jesus was talking about discipleship, the text says, “They said, this is too hard, and they turned aside and they walked no longer with him.” It kind of looks to me that in today’s world the gifts of God and eternal life are being considered as entitlements. According to a magazine survey, almost 80% said they expected to go to heaven. Everyone wants Christianity on their own terms, comfortable, with no commitment, no sacrifice or dedication. Didn’t Jesus say, “Broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be that go that way; but narrow is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it.” 80% of the people in this nation headed for heaven, I don’t think so. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, dwell with in me each day with the power of Your Holy Spirit and strengthen and nourish my faith in Your atoning sacrifice on the cross for me and Your resurrection promise that because You live I will live also.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 10:05:40 +0000
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