If you haven’t seen it yet, I would highly recommend the movie, “Bonhoffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin.” I do get the feeling it could have been more compelling. There were subtle hints to his deep convictions that could have been missed. But, it’s a movie after all. It does make me more curious about the life of the man. A life of one who challenged the difference between religion and Christ and when under persecution stood firm. His life contains so many excellent quotes (note: some are not verified, yet, all over the internet as his). However, there’s one that stands out…..“When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”
A great movie should not just be entertaining or about a social injustice that needs attention; it should point us to Jesus Christ. Christ rather than religion. Religion is more about comfort (yes, I wrote ‘comfort’) than death. Religion just checks the boxes. There’s no real sacrifice. No death. Death to oneself. Death to flesh. Death to reputation. Death to sin. Death of any kind is uncomfortable. It is letting go. Letting go of those things that bind us and keep us captive. Letting go of mindsets. Yet at the same time, it is an invitation to Christ. To a relationship with Him. To Life. True life. Real life giving life. To freedom. To mercy, forgiveness, grace, peace, love, joy, hope and so much more! A relationship. A covenant relationship.
Bonhoffer’s quote refers to dying to self , which is found multiple places throughout Scripture including Galatians 2:20. But what in the world does it look like? Didn’t Christ come to give us an abundant life? Yes, He did. [Read John 10, all of it.] Then, ask yourself, what does an abundant life look like? I will say this, from my own personal experience, I do not think we can define it by our Western thinking. Honestly, defining anything with that mindset is not going to bring us closer to the truth. For me, an abundant life has nothing to do with things that this world has to offer. In it’s more accurate translation, it would mean to have life to the fullest measure. Life with Christ. An uncommon life, where the circumstances around you don’t rob you of all that He is and has granted to you as His.
Recently, I heard a Lou Engle say, “We have taught a generation to feast and play, but the times demand we fast and pray.” Guilty as charged. And I would add that generations have been taught that way, not just one. A deep abiding relationship will yield fasting and praying because of a life touched deeply by His mercy and grace, and oh so much more. That life will demonstrate it to others. My desire is for my life to be an example of a journey growing up in Him and into the mature daughter He created me to be. To fulfill my destiny as His.
Dying to self and living life to the fullest are not once and done. It is a life long process of growing up into Christ. Growing in our relationship with Him. Developing any relationship takes time, energy and sacrifice. Another reason why digging into The Word is so vital. The Word teaches us His character and nature that is unchanging.
Every single author in the Word of God was Jewish. They were not Greek. They were not European or American. They were from the land of Israel. A land teeming with more history than our minds can comprehend. Hebrews with an understanding of their ways, customs and thinking. Western thinking is more along the lines of reasoning. It’s much more linear than the Hebraic mindsets of the authors of Scripture, which tends to be more cyclical. The more I have studied the Word, the more this has come to light for me. The cycles and repeated patterns. The parallelism throughout the whole Scripture is incredible. This is one reason we are to rightly divide the Word or ……..
“Do all you can to present yourself to God as someone worthy of his approval, as a worker with no need to be ashamed, because he deals straightforwardly with the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 CJB
Here, the Greek word used in this New Testament Scripture is orthotomeo (G3718 in the Strong’s Concordance) meaning ‘to cut straight (ways)’. A phrase that I recall from childhood, ‘cut straight a way’ meaning get to the point. In the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, G3718 can mean to teach the truth correctly and directly. To teach it, one should be in The Word and studying it with God Himself. Invite Him into your study, ask Him the questions that arise and wait on Him. He has guided me to make connections throughout Scripture that I would not have done on my own. Let Him be your Guide! If you are studying a chapter in Scripture and another Scripture comes to mind, go with it. See if there is any connection. That one coming to mind, may just be Him leading you. Once, I heard a wise teacher say that do not need another interpretation, but a revelation. Let God reveal the Word of Truth to you. The depth of it will be astounding. I will warn you that this takes getting ‘you’ out of the way. Your thoughts, your mind, your will and your emotions need to be set aside for you to clearly grasp the deep truth He has for us. Like dying to self and living a life to the fullest measure. I believe that this kind of life is one unburden and truly free.
For me personally, the freedom from wrong thinking and false teachings have been like chains falling off and clattering to ground. It has also granted me more clarity on the nature and character of God. If we think or believe we know Him, but are not seeking Him first including in His Word, we are amiss and only fooling ourselves. Earlier this year, I read the Book of Songs (Song of Songs or Song of Solomon) with a whole new set of eyes and ears, along with a heart of understanding. The journey was incredible. It was like an invitation to grow up alongside the bride in the book. To take a look of deep reflection of how far I had come, in addition to where I was on my journey with Him and where I want to be. A book with such deep revelation when you are willing to walk through it with Him. One that describes counting the cost as I willingly consecrate myself to Him drawing me to Him and running together. As we allow ourselves to be drawn by Him, may our spiritual hunger increase and only be satisfied by Him alone.
We learn the progression of maturity in the bride from chapter 3:16, where she states, “My beloved is mine, and I am his….” to “I am my beloved’s and beloved is mine…” (6:3) to “I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me. (7:10)” The Lord is now, her all in all. She in no longer working for Him but with Him. Let this be me Lord! Instead of her trying to possess the Lord, she has allowed herself to be possessed. In the final chapter, she has come to a place of maturity (stable and strong enough) where she is truly ready to help others with a pure heart motive. The movie depicts a similar progression as the immature Bonhoffer grows up in the Lord, until he unwaveringly lays down his life for Him.
Anchored 