Bonhoeffer, decisions and fruit

The subsection titled “The Messengers” ends with two chapters, “The Decision” and “The Fruit.”  The Lutheran in me has a knee-jerk reaction to the word “decision”, with its associations with “decision theology” and “making a decision for Jesus” and corollary pietistic reliance on personal faith and personal righteousness—versus the imputed faith and gifted righteousness of Christ.  But seen in light of Bonhoeffer’s era, an era of outright persecution of Christians and disregard for human dignity and ethics, the emphasis on an outward decision appears more logical.  He was advocating for a faith like a light on a hill—not like a lamp under a basket—which does require a daily decision to risk personal safety, to disregard fear in favor of trust in God, and to leave obscurity to proclaim Christ in boldness.  Bonhoeffer states that “…the testimony of the messenger [is not] intended always to remain in obscurity.  The gospel is not to take the form of hole-in-the-corner sectarianism, it must be set forth by public preaching.”  The decision Bonhoeffer is advocating is one based never on fear, but always on faith.

Faith that rejects fear then clearly has appropriately aligned priorities; such faith ultimately relies upon the promises of Christ, particularly the promise of the resurrection.  Bonhoeffer says “The time is short.  Eternity is long.” In the chapter on The Fruit, Bonhoeffer says “Thus the disciples are bidden lastly to think, not about their own way, their own sufferings and their own reward, but of the goal of their labors, which is the salvation of the Church.”  It is this reality which allows the complete rejection of fear and allows also the rejection of any competing priorities.  How else can we reconcile Christ’s call to reject mother and father, sister and brother?  Only by acknowledging that His call is one which demands supremacy, that the cause of Christ and the proclamation of the gospel must trump all else.  And it must trump all else because compared to the promises of Christ of salvation and eternal life, all other priorities pale and dwindle.  If they do not, we do not rightly value or comprehend the gospel message.

Bonhoeffer also speaks of a decision as something which must be clearly made between Christ and Satan.  He describes it this way:  “The final decision must be made while we are still on earth.  The peace of Jesus is the cross.  But the cross is the sword God wields on earth.  It creates division…It is hardly surprising that the harbinger of God’s love has been accused of hatred of the human race.  Who has a right to speak thus of love for father and mother, for son and daughter, but the destroyer of all life on the one hand, or the Creator of a new life on the other?”  His point is that the cross of Christ demands decisiveness, and we should clearly understand what our choices are—there is no middle road, no schwaffling between Christ and the world.  

I certainly understand and can largely agree with Bonhoeffer’s point, but the finer point I believe still must be made that this decision is not the decision which saves.  It is a decision made by a living and active faith, a faith which is lived out in love toward God and neighbor.  A mustard-seed faith can be lost if it is buried under a bushel, left hidden and inactive out of fear, anxiety and mistrust; it can be stolen away by birds and smothered by weeds.  It is faith which saves, but as James reminds us, faith without action is dead.  An active faith decides.  When confronted with evil, with fear, with forces which oppose the spread of the gospel, an active faith chooses righteousness, courage and bold proclamation. And the fruit is the salvation of the Church—the gospel message, the Word of God which never returns empty, brings salvation, forgiveness and eternity to those who believe.  

1)      You were clothed with Christ in your baptism; in Him, you are a new creation, dead to sin and raised to righteousness.  The Spirit of God was gifted to you; you were given both faith and forgiveness.  How does this embolden you when you are fearful of proclaiming the gospel or living an active Christian life?

2)      Consider times when you failed to clearly choose Christ—when you gave in to the temptation to sin, when you actively or passively denied Christ by words or actions, or when you prioritized worldly activities or physical wealth over the things of God.  Prayerfully come to God in repentance, knowing that He forgives you for Jesus’ sake; you may forsake Him, but He does not forsake you.

3)      I heard this quote on a Christian podcast:  “Sin breaks things, but only unbelief condemns.”  Consider your sins, your failure to prioritize Christ Jesus; come confidently for forgiveness and also requesting that your faith be strengthened.  Meditate on the reality that it is your faith—freely given by God, Who desires to save you for all eternity—and pray that your faith would never be lost, no matter the weeds of the world, the distractions and fears which may feel so overwhelming.