The Church is the Church only when it exists for others. Dietrich Bonhoeffer More Quotes by Dietrich Bonhoeffer More Quotes From Dietrich Bonhoeffer A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. Dietrich Bonhoeffer membersfellowshipchristian Who is pure in heart? Only those who have surrendered their hearts completely to Jesus that he may reign in them alone. Only those whose hearts are undefiled by their own evil--and by their own virtues too. The pure in heart have a child-like simplicity like Adam before the fall, innocent alike of good and evil: their hearts are not ruled by their conscience, but by the will of Jesus. Dietrich Bonhoeffer childrenfalljesus God does not love some ideal person, but rather human beings just as we are, not some ideal world, but rather the real world. Dietrich Bonhoeffer realdoeworld Nothing can be more cruel than the leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin. Dietrich Bonhoeffer communitypathchristian Gratitude changes the pangs of memory into a tranquil joy. Dietrich Bonhoeffer being-thankfulgratitudememories Who among us will celebrate Christmas correctly? Whoever finally lays down all power, l honor, all reputation, all vanity, all arrogance, all individualism beside the manger; whoever remains lowly and lets God alone be high; whoever looks at the child in the manger and sees the glory of God precisely in his lowliness. Dietrich Bonhoeffer vanityletting-gochildren In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship, least of all a marriage, can survive. Don't insist on your rights, don't blame each other, don't judge or condemn each other, don't find fault with each other, but accept each other as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts. Dietrich Bonhoeffer marriageheartinspirational I believe that nothing that happens to me is meaningless and that it is good for us all that it should be so, even if it runs counter to our own wishes. As I see it, I'm here for some purpose, and I only hope I may fulfill it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer destinyrunningbelieve Thus the call to follow Christ always means a call to share the work of forgiving men their sins. Forgiveness is the Christlike suffering which it is the Christian's duty to bear. Dietrich Bonhoeffer christianmenmean Only the man who follows the command of Jesus single-mindedly, and unresistingly lets his yoke rest upon him, finds his burden easy, and under its gentle pressure receives the power to persevere in the right way. The command of Jesus is hard, unutterably hard, for those who try to resist it. But for those who willingly submit, the yoke is easy, and the burden is light. Dietrich Bonhoeffer lightmenjesus There is meaning in every journey that is unknown to the traveler. Dietrich Bonhoeffer travelerjourney And if we ask how are we to know where our hearts are, the answer is just as simple - everything which hinders us from loving God above all things and acts as a barrier between ourselves and our obedience to Jesus is our treasure, and the place where our heart is. Dietrich Bonhoeffer simpleheartjesus We are so afraid of silence that we chase ourselves from one event to the next in order not to have to spend a moment alone with ourselves, in order not to have to look at ourselves in the mirror. Dietrich Bonhoeffer silencemirrorsorder The Church is the Church only when it exists for others...not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others. Dietrich Bonhoeffer churchmenmean In a world where success is the measure and justification of all things the figure of Him who was sentenced and crucified remains a stranger and is at best the object of pity. The world will allow itself to be subdued only by success. It is not ideas or opinions which decide, but deeds. Success alone justifies wrongs done With a frankness and off-handedness which no other earthly power could permit itself, history appeals in its own cause to the dictum that the end justifies the means The figure of the Crucified invalidates all thought which takes success for its standard. Dietrich Bonhoeffer donemeanideas God can make a new beginning with people whenever God pleases, but not people with God. Therefore, people cannot make a new beginning at all; they can only pray for one. Where people are on their own and live by their own devices, there is only the old, the past. Dietrich Bonhoeffer new-beginningspeoplepast Joy draws its nourishment from quietness and from the unfathomable. Dietrich Bonhoeffer unfathomabledrawsjoy A prison cell, in which one waits, hopes...and is completely dependent on the fact that Dietrich Bonhoeffer cellschristmasdoors Cheap grace is the idea that "grace" did it all for me so I do not need to change my lifestyle. The believer who accepts the idea of "cheap grace" thinks he can continue to live like the rest of the world. Instead of following Christ in a radical way, the Christian lost in cheap grace thinks he can simply enjoy the consolations of his grace. Dietrich Bonhoeffer following-christchristianthinking It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians. Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. Dietrich Bonhoeffer takenchristianjesus
