Tuesday, October 10, 2006

the privilege of community

“So between the death of Christ and the Last day it is only by a gracious anticipation of the last things that Christians are privileged to live in visible fellowship with other Christians. It is by the grace of God that a congregation is permitted to gather visibly in this world to share God’s Word and sacrament. Not all Christians receive this blessing. The imprisoned, the sick, the scattered lonely, the proclaimers of the gospel in heathen lands stand alone…It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from utter loneliness may be brief indeed. Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace that we are allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Life Together”

2 comments:

On behalf of Mike said...

Awesome! Incredible revelation - thanks for sharing.

As for visiting, my husband and I are hoping to return to Africa in the near future...waiting on God's direction for the details.

God bless.

germaine said...

True statement...

I met you briefly this summer at the Apex Ministry Centre. We stopped by with a group of teens to view the facility.

My prayers are with you... and I hope that you are feeling blessed in the place that I also call home... even when I am a world away!

With His love ~G