Bonhoeffer; "only he who believes is obedient and only he who is obedient believes...If we are to believe, we must obey a concrete command. Without this preliminary step of obedience, our faith will only be pious humbug and lead us to grace that is not costly. Everything depends on the first step. It has a unique quality of its own." The Cost of Discipleship.
This is something I am struggling with right now. Bonhoeffer identifies this first step of obedience as a radical change of life, a leaving of the old and identifying with Jesus. He uses Peter leaving his fishing nets and the call of the rich young ruler to sell all and follow Jesus as examples but these do not seem to be things I am called to do. Maybe I am in denial.
This is something I am struggling with right now. Bonhoeffer identifies this first step of obedience as a radical change of life, a leaving of the old and identifying with Jesus. He uses Peter leaving his fishing nets and the call of the rich young ruler to sell all and follow Jesus as examples but these do not seem to be things I am called to do. Maybe I am in denial.
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