Discipleship

J.HeinrichArnold
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Discipleshipisnotaquestionofourowndoing;
itisamatterofmakingroomforGod
sothathecanliveinus.
J. H.Arnold
Contents
Foreword............................................................ vii
Introduction........................................................ x
TheDisciple
TheInnerLife................................................... 1
Repentance........................................................ 11
Conversion........................................................ 17
Faith.................................................................. 21
Dogmatism........................................................ 29
Commitment..................................................... 34
TheLowerNature............................................. 38
Purity................................................................ 64
Trust.................................................................. 68
Reverence........................................................... 73
Surrender........................................................... 75
Sincerity............................................................ 82
TheChurch
TheChurch....................................................... 89
Community....................................................... 96
Leadership......................................................... 106
Gifts.................................................................. 114
Forgiveness........................................................ 121
Unity................................................................. 128
ChurchDiscipline.............................................. 134
Baptism.............................................................. 141
TheLordsSupper.............................................. 147
LoveandMarriage ............................................. 151
FamilyLife......................................................... 169
IllnessandDeath ............................................... 188
EvilandDarkness .............................................. 197
TheFight........................................................... 205
WorldSuffering................................................. 217
Mission.............................................................. 226
TheKingdomofGod
Jesus................................................................... 237
TheCross .......................................................... 254
Salvation............................................................ 261
TheKingdomofGod........................................ 269
MoreFreee-books................................................ 280
Foreword
Discipleship isatoughbook.AsIbeganreadingit,
HeinrichArnoldswordstouchedmeasadouble-
edgedsword,callingmetochoosebetweentruthand
lies,salvationandsin,selessnessandselshness,light
anddarkness,Godanddemon.AtrstIwasntsureif
Iwantedtobeconfrontedinsuchadirectway,andI
discoveredsomeresistanceinmyself.Iwantthegood
newsoftheGospeltobegentle,consoling,comfort-
ing,andtoofferinnerpeaceandharmony.
ButArnoldremindsmethatthepeaceoftheGospel
isnotthesameasthepeaceoftheworld,thatthecon-
solationoftheGospelisnotthesameastheconsola-
tionoftheworld,andthatthegentlenessoftheGospel
haslittletodowiththefreeforallattitudeofthe
world.TheGospelasksforachoice,aradicalchoice,a
choicethatisnotalwayspraised,supported,andcel-
ebrated.
Still,Arnoldswritingisnotharsh,unbending,fa-
natical,orself-righteous.Tothecontrary,itisfullof
love.Toughlove,butreallove.Itisthislovethatows
fromthebrokenheartofJesus.WhatmakesArnolds
wordssohealingisthattheyarenotbasedonanidea,
anideology,oratheory,butonanintimateknowledge
ofJesusChrist.Jesus,theChrist,isinthecenterof
allthesuggestions,advice,andcareexpressedinthese
reections.ThisistrulyaChrist-centeredbook.
HeinrichArnolddoesnotspeakinhisownname.
HespeaksinthenameofJesus.Hehasheardclearly
thewordsofPaultoTimothy:BeforeGod,andbe-
foreChristJesus,whoistobethejudgeoftheliving
andthedead,Ichargeyou,inthenameofhisap-
pearingandhiskingdom:proclaimthemessageand,
welcomeorunwelcome,insistonit.Refutefalsehood,
correcterror,giveencouragementbutdoallwith
patienceandwithcaretoinstruct (2Tim.4:12).
ItisArnoldsdeeprootednessinJesusChristthat
makeshimaverywise,averysafe,andaverychalleng-
ingguideinourspiritualjourney.Butthereismore:
hisrootednessisnotsimplyarootednessintheChrist
wholivedlongago;itisarootednessintheChristwho
ispresenttodayinthelifeofthecommunityoffaith.
Arnoldisnotapious,sentimentalguide.Every
wordhespeakscomesfromhisexperienceincom-
munity,wherediscipleshipislived.Itisincommunity
thatwearetestedandpuried.Itisincommunitythat
welearnwhatforgivenessandhealingareallabout.It
isincommunitythatwelearnwhoourneighboris.
Communityisthetrueschooloflove.Arnoldlived
communityallofhislife.Heknewitsdemandsandits
rewards.Mostofall,heknewthatitisincommunity
thatweencountertheChristoftheGospel.
Iamverygratefulforthisbook.Itisaprophetic
bookinatimeinwhichfewpeopledaretospeakun-
popularbuttrulyhealingwords.
Ipraythatthosewhoreadthisbookwontbeafraid
tobeconfronted,andItrustthatthewordofGodthat
comestothemthroughitwillbringtruecomfort,true
consolation,truehope,andtruecourage.
HenriJ.M.Nouwen
Introduction
Somebooksareeasiesttodescribebysayingwhatthey
arenot.Thisisnotacollectionofdevotionsormedi-
tations,notafeel-goodjournalaboutwalkingwith
God,andnotaguideforself-improvementorpersonal
spiritualgrowth.Itis,verysimply,abookaboutdisci-
pleshipaboutfollowingChristhumbly,obediently,
andwithanopenheart.Anditiswrittenbyaman
whosemessagecannotbeunderstoodinanyotherway.
JohannHeinrichArnold(19131982)grewup
surroundedbypeopleforwhomsuchdiscipleshiptook
shapeinadramaticway.Whenhewassix,hisparents,
EberhardandEmmy,lefttheirupper-classhomein
BerlinandmovedtoSannerz,avillageincentralGer-
many.There,withasmallcircleoffriends,theysetout
toliveinfullcommunityofgoodsonthebasisof
Acts2and4andtheSermonontheMount.Itwas
atimeoftremendousupheaval.Thesamepost-war
restlessnessthatdrovehisfather,awell-knowneditor,
theologian,andpublicspeaker,tothisleapoffaith
drovethousandsofotherstoriseupagainsttherigid
socialandreligiousconventionsoftheperiodand
seeknewwaysoflife.ThesewereHeinrichsformative
years,andthesteadystreamofyounganarchistsand
tramps,teachers,artisans,andfree-thinkerswhocame
throughthelittlecommunityinuencedhimpro-
foundly.Allofthemhadabandonedthehypocrisyofa
Christendomthathadgrownmeaningless,andmany
feltdrawntothelifeofdedicationandjoytheyfound
atSannerz.
HeinrichhimselffeltthecalltofollowChristatthe
ageofeleven.Later,asayoungman,hecommitted
himselftolife-longmembershipinthechurchcom-
munity,knownbythenastheBruderhof,orplaceof
brothers.In1938hewaschosenasaservantofthe
Word,orpastor,andfrom1962untilhisdeathhe
servedaselderforthegrowingBruderhofmovement.
TheockinArnoldscarewasnotwhatonecould
callatypicalchurch,andhewasanythingbutapastor
intheconventionalsenseoftheword.Hewasnota
charismaticpersonality,andhehadnoformaltheo-
logicaltraining.HewasatrueSeelsorgerorspiritual
guidewhocareddeeplyfortheinnerandouterwell-
beingofthecommunitiesentrustedtohim.Andhe
servedhisbrothersandsistersintherstplaceasan
equalwhosharedtheirdailylivesinworkandleisure,
atcommunalmeals,businessmeetings,andworship
services.
Theexcerptsinthisbookwerecompiledandedited
overseveralyearsbymembersoftheBruderhofwho
knewArnoldpersonally.Itwasnoeasytasktosift
throughthematerial,fortherewassomuchtochoose
from,anditrangedfrompublishedarticlestopersonal
correspondence,fromtranscriptsofworshipmeetings
tocircularswrittenonbehalfoftheentireBruderhof
movement.Thepurposeofthisselectionissimplyto
bringtothereaderthefullimpactofhiswitness.
Arnoldsstyleisstraightforwardandspontaneous.
Herarelyspokewithnotes,andwhenhewrote,he
quicklyandsometimesalmostaggressivelymetthe
heartoftheissue.Therewerethosewhofelthewastoo
blunt.Yetitwaspreciselyhissimplicitythatmadehis
witnessaccessibletosomany.Hisfaithwasnotamat-
terofreasoned,theologicalterms,butsomethingthat
hadtobeexpressedindeeds:Wearetiredofwords;
theyarecheapandcanbeheardalmostanywhere,for
whowillsaythatheisagainstbrotherhoodandlove?
Arnoldwascalledontoaddresseveryaspectofspiri-
tuallife,personalandcommunal.Butthereisavisible
threadthatrunsthroughallhewrote:Christandhis
crossasthecenteroftheuniverse.Againandagain,
ArnoldinsiststhatwithoutmeetingChristpersonal-
lywithoutbeingconfrontedbyHismessage
ofrepentanceandlovethereisnopossibilityofa
livingChristianfaith.Itmatteredlittle,forinstance,
whetheraproblemhehadtofacewasofapracticalor
aninnernature,orwhetherthedemandsoftheday
aroseinconvenientlyorunannounced.Everyissuewas
facedonthesolidgroundofChristscommands.This
wastruenotonlyfortheinternalquestionsofcom-
munallifebutalsoforallmattersthatneededattention
beyondit,suchascurrentpoliticaleventsorsocial
issuesandtrends.
ArnoldsChrist-centerednessgavehimanunusual
couragetoconfrontsin.Hecouldnottolerateindif-
ferencetothedemandsoftheGospel.Butjustashe
foughtevilinothers,hefoughtitinhimself,andthe
ghtwasneveragainstaperson,butagainstsin.At
times,thisearnedhimthecriticismofbeingtooemo-
tional,buthowcanonewholovesChristbecoolly
detachedwhenthehonorofthechurchisatstake?I
protestagainsttheideathatitiswrongtoreactwith
strongemotionorexcitementwhenGodisattacked,
whenbrothersandsistersaremistreated,orwhenthe
churchisharmed.Iwillprotestmywholelifelong
againstcoolsobernessinthefaceofcrueltyoranything
elsethatdestroysGodswork.
Itwasthis,too,thatenabledhimtocallforrepen-
tancesosharplyattimes:ArewereadytoletChrists
Wordcutdeeplyintous,orwillwerepeatedlyprotect
andhardenourselvesagainstit?Wedonotrealizehow
oftenwestandinGodsway.Butwecanaskhimtocut
uswithhisWord,evenifithurts.
WiththesamevigorandinsistencethatArnold
calledforrepentance,hestroveforcompassionand
forgiveness.IfanyonetookseriouslyJesusinjunction
toforgivesothatwemaybeforgiven,andtoforgive
seventytimesseven,itwasArnold.Peoplewhohad
hurthimorbrokenhistrustweregivenhisundimin-
ishedtrustagainandagain.Why?Becausehebelieved
deeplyinthepoweroffullforgiveness;becausehe
trustedGodtothedepthsofhisbeing,andbecause
thistrustenabledhimtoovercomeallfearofman.
Ironically,justasheexperiencedmockeryandrejec-
tionbecauseheinsistedontheneedfordeeprepen-
tance,hewasalsodespisedbecauseofhishumility.For
eventhoughherefusedtoshutaneyetoallsininthe
church,herefusedtosethimselfaboveapersonwho
hadsinnedortocondoneanyharshnessandlegalism
towardthatperson.Havingsufferedinhisownlife,he
identiedreadilywiththesufferingofothers.
AselderoftheBruderhofcommunities,Arnold
spentmanyhoursreading,re-reading,andprayerfully
consideringthecontentsofadailyoodofletters,
andhisanswersillustratethehumilitywithwhichhe
responded.Whenhewasaskedaquestion,hecoun-
selled,comforted,admonished,andevensharply
censured,buthenevercriticizedorbelittledanyone
whoturnedtohimintrust.Andthoughhundredsof
peopleturnedtohimyearafteryear,healwaysturned
themonwardbeyondtheirpreoccupationwiththeir
sinsortheirpersonalholiness toChrist.
Arnoldknewwellthathedidnothaveallthean-
swers.Oftenhesaidthatheneededtothinkabouta
matterinquestionorwishedtoconsideritinprayer,
orsimplyfelthedidnotknowwhattodoaboutit.
Askedtoexplainadifcultverse,anapparentcontra-
diction,orthemeaningofamysteriouspassageinthe
Bible,hemightsay,Ihavethoughtaboutthesewords
agreatdeal,butIdonotfullyunderstandthemmy-
self.LetusleaveitintrusttoGod.Somedayitwillbe
revealedtousandhewouldnotattemptaninterpre-
tation.Thoughwidely-readandentirelyathome
intheOldandNewTestament,hewasamanwhose
educationwastheeducationoftheheart,whose
knowledgewastheknowledgeofthehumansoul,and
whoseunderstandingofGodswayswasbornofhis
loveforGod,forJesus,andforthechurch.
Mostimportant,Arnoldwasabletolisten:helis-
tenedtohisbrothersandsisters,helistenedtofriends,
strangers,tocritics,andmostofallhelistenedtoGod:
Iwanttolistenwithmyinnerhearttothevoiceof
Godspeakingthroughthebrotherhood.Iwantto
confessJesusinourtime.Iwanttobepoorwithyou,
spirituallypoor.Iwanttobeobedientandgowhere
thechurchsendsme,andtodoGodswill.Ilongfor
aunitedbrotherhood,abrotherhoodthatgathersthe
scattered.
TherearemanyaspectsofArnoldswritingsthat
onemightconsideratgreaterlengththeoverrid-
inginuenceofhisownfather,EberhardArnold;of
theGermanpastorsJohannChristophandChris-
tophFriedrichBlumhardtandtheirvisionofthe
kingdomasapresentreality;orofMeisterEckhart,
whosemysticismisreectedinArnoldsowninclina-
tiontowardthemystical.TherearealsoDietrichvon
HildebrandandFriedrichvonGagern,whosebooks
Arnoldreadandreferredtooften.Butnoneofthese
areimportantinthemselves.Rather,theygivehismes-
sageasawholeadepthandabreadthofvisionthat
cannotbeignored.This,perhaps,isthemostcompel-
lingpartofArnoldswitness,foritliftsusupagainand
againfromthepettinessofdailylifeandopensour
eyestoperceivethegreaterrealitieswesooftenignore.
Tousehisownwords:
Whatagreatgiftitwouldbeifwecouldseea
littleofthegreatvisionofJesusifwecouldsee
beyondoursmalllives!Certainlyourviewisvery
limited.Butwecanatleastaskhimtocallusout
ofoursmallworldsandourself-centeredness,
andwecanatleastasktofeelthechallengeofthe
greatharvestthatmustbegatheredtheharvest
ofallnationsandallpeople,includingthegen-
erationsofthefuture.
HelaEhrlich
ChristopherZimmerman
July1994
TheDisciple
TheDisciple
TheInnerLife................................................... 1
Repentance........................................................ 11
Conversion........................................................ 17
Faith.................................................................. 21
Dogmatism........................................................ 29
Commitment..................................................... 34
Temptation........................................................ 38
TheLowerNature............................................. 38
Purity................................................................ 64
Trust.................................................................. 68
Reverence........................................................... 73
Surrender........................................................... 75
Sincerity............................................................ 82
Acts2:37-38
TheInnerLife
Whenoneconsidersthemillionswhocallthemselves
Christians,themainimpressiononegetsisthatinour
timetheChristianreligionconsistsalmostexclusively
ingoingtochurchonSundaymornings.Iknowthere
areexceptions,butwehavetoberealistic:thechurch
hasverylittletosaytoyoungpeopletheyarebored
bychurchservicesandpreaching,andsotheyturnto
otherthings.Yetpeoplearevaguelyawarethatthere
issomethingwrongwiththeirinnerlife.Andevenif
theydontgototheirpastororpriestaboutit,theydo
seekhelp,oftenbygoingtoapsychiatrist.Itistrue
thatoncetheinnerpersonreallychanges,everything
elsewillchange.Butthatwillcomeaboutthrough
God,notthroughpeople.
Christtaughtthatthereshouldbeacompletechange
ineveryperson,andthatthischangeshouldbeginin
ourinnerbeing.Peterandtheapostlestaughtthesame
atPentecost.WhenthepeopleaskedPeter,What
shouldwedo?hesaid,Believe,repent,andbebap-
tizedinthenameofJesus.Andwhentheyresponded,
theinnerchangethattookplacecarriedoverintothe
practicalandeconomicareasoftheirlives.Theylaid
everythingatthefeetoftheapostlesandnolonger
ownedanything.Everyonegaveuphispropertyvol-
untarily,yetsinceeachonesharedeverythingwiththe
others,noonesufferedneed.
Forourtime,too,webelieveinanewsocietylike
this,broughtaboutbyachangethatstartsinourinner
being.WhenGodentersourinnerlife,thechangehe
bringswillalsoaffectourouterlife.IfourChristianity
isareligionforSundaymorningonly,itwillremain
shallowandempty.
Whatdoesitmeantobecreatedintheimageof
God?WhenGodbreathedlifeintotherstman,he
gaveeveryhumanbeingthepossibilityofexperiencing
therichnessofheartthatisinHim:love,joy,humor,
wrath,suffering,purity,andunity.Becauseallthese
thingsarefamiliartous,wecanseethatsomethingof
Godisinusthoughofteninaverydistortedway.
TheimageofGodispreservedmostpurelyinchil-
dren.Asadultsweoftenliveverypettylivesasvery
pettysouls;ourthinkingcentersaroundourselvesonly
andisunrelatedtoGod.Butwearecreatedformore
thanthis.Idontthinkanyoneofushasyetexperi-
encedtothefulltherichnessofspirit,soul,andheart
createdbyGodforustoenjoy.Yetashischildren,we
areabletoexperiencethesethingsasnoothercreatures
can.Andhelovesussomuchthathesenthisonly
Sontosaveus.InPaulsrstlettertotheCorinthians
1Cor6:3 hesaysthatthechurchistojudgetheangels.This
shouldgiveusaninklingofthedeepmeaningofour
callingandofwhatitmeansthatwearemadeinthe
imageofGod.
Acts17:24
1Cor6:19
Godcreatedheaven,earth,andalltheconstellations
oftheuniverse.Healsocreatedsomethingelse,some-
thingverymysterious:thehumanspirit.Godcreated
thisspiritandplaceditinusbecausehewantstolive
inus.TheBiblesaysthathedoesnotliveintemples
builtwithhandsweourselvesshouldbetemplesfor
him.
Myfatherusedtosaytousthatstupidityisthe
greatestsin.Hedidnotmeansimplicityofmind,but
spiritualdullness:havingadeadconscienceandnot
listeninginoneshearttoGod.
Veryfewpeopletodayhaveanyideaoftherichesof
thehumanheart.Ourheartsarecreatedtoexperience
greatthings;mostofushavenoideaofwhatcould
happeninourlivesifwewouldovercomeourstupid-
ityanddullness.Paulsays:
Eph3:16-19
Ipraythatoutofhisgloriousricheshemay
strengthenyouwithpowerthroughhisspiritin
yourinnerbeing,sothatChristmaydwellin
yourheartsthroughfaith.AndIpraythatbe-
ingrootedandestablishedinloveyoumayhave
power,togetherwithallthesaints,tograsphow
wideandlongandhighanddeepisthelove
ofChristandtoknowthislovethatsurpasses
knowledgethatyoumaybelledtothemea-
sureofallthefullnessofGod.
Ifweweretograspthisonepassage,wewouldun-
derstandthewholeGospel.Wearenotlledwiththe
fullnessofGodanditwouldbearroganttothinkwe
were.ButPaulsprayershouldawakenandinspireus!
Isa.55:3
GodsaidtoIsrael:Payheedtomeandlisten,and
yoursoulswilllive!Itistremendouslyimportantto
beabletoturntoGodwithoneswholebeingandto
believethathewillspeak.Everythingdependsonour
askinghimtospeaktous.Ifwehearnothingfrom
Godforalongtime,itmaybebecausethereissome-
thingbetweenusandheavenperhapswelackloveto
ourbrother,orweareatoddswithourspouse.Ifthis
isthecase,ourwaitingisinvain.
Ofcourse,wecannotexpectanswersfromGodaf-
teronlyveminutesofsilence.ThinkhowlongJesus
himselfsometimeshadtowait!Butthemoreourlives
belongtoChrist,andthedeeperourrelationshipwith
him,themorequicklyhewillanswerus,andthemore
quicklyhecanuseusforhistasks,becauseheknows
thathereissomeonewhoiscompletelyreadyforhim.
Fromaletter: MeisterEckhardt*emphasizedtheim-
portanceofthelisteningheart,bywhichhemeant
aheartthatlistenstoGodalone.HesaidthatGod
desiresnothingmorethanaheartthatdetachesitself
insilencefromeverythingandturnsandlistensto
him.Thismeansdetachmentfrommammon,impu-
rity,andschadenfreude ormalice;fromlying,mistrust,
andhatred;fromworldlyspiritsandfromallother
spiritsforeigntohim.
Whenpeoplearehealthyandhappy,orwhentheir
economicfoundationisstable,theyalltoooftenbe-
comelukewarm.TheymaygiveovertoGodthethings
theyfeelarenothealthyinthemthingsthatbring
themdistressorstruggle.Yetevenwhenthesethings
drivethemtoprayer,theyreservetheirinnermost
personforthemselves.
ThefactthatweseekGodatallintimesofmisfor-
tuneshowsusthatourdeepestbeingactuallyhungers
andthirstsforhim.WeshouldbringourfearstoGod;
weshouldbringhimoursicknessandanguish.But
thisisnotenough.Wemustgivehimourinnermost
being,ourheartandsoul.Whenwehumbleourselves
beforehiminthiswayandgiveourselvescompletely
overtohimwhenwenolongerresistgivinghimour
wholepersonandwholepersonalitythenhecanhelp
*GermanMystic,1260-1328.
us,rstbybringingustobankruptcyandthenbyll-
inguswithtruelife.
Fromaletter: Themainthingforyoushouldbeto
recognizethegreatnessofGodandtoliveforhim.
TrytoreadtheBibleatleasttwoorthreechapters
everyday.Thiswillopenyoureyestothegreatness
ofJehovah,theLordofHosts.Thenyouwillseehow
verysmallthesearchforpersonalhappinessis.
Fromaletter: Whenthedevilincitesyoutohateoth-
ers,Iadviseyoutondinnerquiet.Youknowthatin
yourdeepestheartyoudonotwantthishatred.
Icanverywellunderstandhowunhappyyoufeel.
Try,however,tobecomeabsolutelyquietinwardly,and
believethatGodlovesyouandwantstohelpyou,even
ifthisbeliefisattackedbydoubtsagainandagain.
Thenyourfearwillbeslowlyovercome.
Ifyoutrytoghtyouremotionswithotheremo-
tions,youwillonlybecomemoreconfused.Youcan-
notstraightenoutyouremotions,butyoucantrust
inGod:heknowsyourdeepestheart,andhecan
straightenyouout.Believeinhimalone.
Fromaletter: Youaskhowtondinnerquiet.Re-
memberJesuswordsaboutprayer;theyarevery
Mt.6:6
important:Gointoyourroom,lockthedoor,and
praytoyourFatherwhoisinsecret,andhe,whosees
whatissecret,willrewardyou.Ifyoudetachyourself
fromyourfeelingsandfromtheexcitementsofyour
lifeandseekGodinthisdetachmentfromself,you
willndpeaceofheart.
Fromaletter: Longprayersarenotalwayseffective.Je-
susevenwarnsusagainstthem.Theyareusuallymore
paganthanChristian.
Letyourprayerlifebemorealive!Butdonotforce
it letitbequitefree.Whenprayerbecomessome-
thinglivingtoyou,thereoftheSpiritwillareup,
andthiswillbringyoulife!
Fromaletter: Wecannotlivewithoutapersonal
prayerlife.Weneedprayerasmuchasweneedwater.
AllofusneedtimesofquietbeforeGod.Jesusclearly
Mt6:1-6 saysthatweshouldnotmakeashowofourprayers;
weshouldclosethedoorbehindusandnotspeak
aboutthem.Yethidden,personalprayerisabsolutely
necessaryandjustasimportantasthecommunal
prayersofthewholechurch.
Wetendtoprayonlyforwhatwewantandgive
littlethoughttowhatGodwantsofusataparticular
moment.IsometimesthinkGodwouldanswerour
prayerssooneriftheyweredirectedmoretodoinghis
will,andifourheartsweremovedbythegoodspirit
toaskwhatGodwanted.Letmesayitlikethis:God
needsuseverydayheneedspeopletocarryouthis
will soweshouldnotprayforwhatwewouldlike,
butratheraskforthestrengthtodowhathewould
haveusdo.
Godneedspeoplewhoaskforhiswilltobedone;if
nooneisinterestedinit,hemustleavehisworkon
earthundone.Butiftherearepeoplewhostretchout
theirhandstohiminlonging,askingandseekingfor
hiswilltobedone,thenhecandosomethinginthis
world.Itiswrongtothinkthateverythingcomesby
itself,thatnothingisexpectedofus.Jesustaughtusto
Mt.6:10
prayforGodswilltobedonehereonearthasitisin
heaven.
WemustalsoaskforGodswilltobedoneinour
personallives.BecausetheEvilOnetriesagainand
againtoleadusontothewrongpath,wemustturn
toGoddailyandaskhimtorenewourhearts.Butwe
shouldpraynotonlyforourselves;weshouldprayfor
thewholeworldforallhumanityandallnations.
Fromaletter: Thereiswrongprayerself-willed
prayer.Butiftheobjectofourprayerisinaccordance
withthewillofJesus,thenitisright.Aslongasthere
Jn.14:13
Dan.10:12-13
isnothingofself-willorself-glorymixedintoit,itis
notwrong.
ItiscompletelyforeigntothewayofJesustomake
selshrequestsinhisname,forinstancetowishfora
successfulcareerorforathousanddollars.WhenJesus
says,Whateveryouaskinmyname,Iwilldo,he
meanswhatevergloriestheFatherandtheSon.
Inourprayerlifeweneedtolistentothespiritof
God.WhatGodwantstotellusisofgreaterimpor-
tancethanwhatwewanttotellhim.Thereforecom-
monsilencesharedinthefaiththathewantstospeak
toeachheartwillalwaysbemeaningfulforus.
Weshouldalwaysbelievethatourprayerswillbe
answered,eveniftheyarenotansweredstraightaway.
DanielprayedearnestlytoGodfordaysforthefor-
givenessofhissinsandfortheforgivenessofIsraels
sins.Yethereceivednoanswerforthreeweeks.Then
anangelappearedtohiminavisionandsaid:
Donotbeafraid,Daniel,forfromtheveryrst
daythatyouappliedyourmindtounderstand
andmortifyyourselfbeforeyourGod,your
prayershavebeenheard,andIhavecomein
answertothem.Buttheevilangelprinceofthe
kingdomofPersiaresistedmefortwenty-one
days,untilMichael,oneofthechiefprincesof
heaven,cametohelpme.
SoDanielsprayerswereheardfromthebeginning,but
darkpowersmadeitdifcultfortheangelwhoan-
sweredhimtobreakthrough.
Today,despitethevictoryofthecross,therearestill
darkpowersatwork.Ourprayers,likeDaniels,may
oftennotbeansweredstraightaway.YetGodhears
them.Weshouldrmlybelievethis.
Fromaletter: GiveeverythingovertoJesus.The
moreyougiveeverythingovertohim,themorehis
spiritwillllyou.EventhemostsincereChristiansgo
throughtimesofinnerdrynessinwhichGodwantsto
testthem.Butthenheoodsthemwithhisgreatlove.
Sodonotdespairifyoufeelinnerdryness.
Repentance
TheGospelbeginswithacalltorepentance.Repen-
tancemeansthateverythingmustbechanged.What
wasupmustgodown,andwhatwasdownmustcome
up.EverythingmustbeseenasGodseesit.Ourwhole
beinghastoberenewed;allthinkingofourownhas
tocease.Godmustbecomethecenterofourthinking
andfeeling.
JesusChristcametosavepeople,butherstcalled
themtorepentandfollowhim.ManyChristiansare
attractedbyhispromiseofsalvation,buttheydonot
wanttorepentfully.Itistragicthattheworstenemies
ofJesusareoftenreligiouspeople,notunbelievers.
EveninJesusownlifetime,thosewhohatedhimmost
werenotthesoldierswhocruciedhim,butthevery
religiousPhariseesandscribes,whohatedhismessage
ofrepentance.
WhenJohntheBaptistappearedinthewilderness
ofJudea,hecalledpeopletorepenttochangetheir
heartsandminds.Hecertainlydidnotatterthose
Mt.3:7-8 whocametohim.Heplainlytoldthemhowfarthey
werefromGod.ItwasnotonlyJohntheBaptistwho
spokeofrepentance.Jesushimselfdid,fromhisrst
teachingsintheBibletohislast.
PeopledislikeJohntheBaptistscall,Repent,forthe
Mt.3:2 kingdomofheavenisathand,becausetheydonot
understandwhatrepentancemeans.Repentancedoes
notmeanself-torment;nordoesitmeanbeingjudged
byothers.Itmeansturningawayfromthecorruption
andmammonismoffallenhumankindandlettingour
heartsbemovedbytheatmosphereofthekingdom
ofGod.Anyonewhohasgonethroughtruerepen-
tanceknowsthatitmakestheheartmeltlikewax,that
itshocksusbyshowingusoursinfulness.Butthat
shouldnotbethecentralexperience.Godmustbethe
centerofarepentantheartGod,whowasrevealedat
thecrossaslove,andwhoalonebringsreconciliation.
Fromaletter:Allofusmustundergodifcultand
painfultimesofrepentance.Ipleadwithyoutoac-
ceptit,notaspunishmentbutasgrace,andIbegyou
nottotormentyourselfbuttounderstandthatChrist
wantstomakeyoufree.
Fromaletter:Doyoureallyknowwhatrepentance
means?Whenapersonrepentshewillchangeinsuch
awaythateveryonewhomeetshimwillfeelhischange
ofheart.InDickensAChristmasCarol itwasobvious
toeveryonewhometoldScroogeonChristmasDay
thathewasadifferentmanfromtheeveningbefore.I
wishyousuchrepentance.
IfwetrustinJesusandthepowerofhisdeath,wewill
ndforgivenessforoursins,howeverevilweareor
were.Butwemustnotplaywithhisgoodness.Hewill
judgeeverysin,everycompromisewemakewiththe
devil.Forinstance,hewarnsussostronglyagainstim-
moralitythathesaysweshouldnotevenglancelust-
fullyatawoman.Letusaccepthissharpness.
TherearetimesineverypersonslifewhenGodcomes
close.TherearealsosuchtimesorhoursofGodfor
eachchurch.AccordingtotheBookofRevelation,
Rev.2-3
JesusspokefromheaventhroughJohntotheseven
churches,tellingeachwhatithadtorecognizeand
whyithadtorepent,thoughalsoencouragingit.
ThatwassurelyanimportanthourofGodforthese
churches.
Godisinnitelygood.Oncehehascometoaper-
son,hemaycomeasecond,third,fourth,orevena
fthtime,buthealsomaynot.Itisuptouswhether
welistentohim.
Howeverstrongourwilltocontrolourselves,and
howeverdeceptiveweare,Godseesthrougheverything
intothedepthofourhearts.Onlytheactofputting
ourselvesunderhislightgivesusachanceforrenewal.
Everythingispossibleifweputourselveswillingly
underthelightofGod.Butifwerefusetodothis,
everythinginourlifeisindanger.
Itisoneofthemostwonderfulthingswhenaperson
trulyrepents.Godcomessoclosetoarepentantsoul!
Aheartofstonebecomesaheartofesh,andevery
emotion,thought,andfeelingchanges.Apersons
entireoutlookchangeswhenthegiftofrepentanceis
giventohim.
Wemustreceiveanewlife;wemustbechanged.But
itisGodwhomustchangeus.Andhemaychangeus
inadifferentwayfromwhatwehadwantedorimag-
ined.Ourownidealsourownplansforinnergrowth
orpersonalchangemustcometoanend.Everylofty
positionmustbegivenup;everyhighhumanstriving
sacriced.TobetforGodsnewfuturewemustbe
changedbyhim.
Fromaletter:IamsurethatJesuscangiveyouacom-
pletelypureheartandperfectpeace.Atrst,thecloser
youcometohimthemoreyouwillfeeljudgedbyyour
sin,butintheendyouwillnddeepjoyandpeace.
YourseekingforGodshouldnotmakelifeatorment.
Heseesthatyouseekhimwithasincereheart.Iwish
youhopeandcourage.
Fromaletter: RemorseopensthehearttoGod.The
experienceitselfisverypainful,butlateryouwilllook
backonitwithgratefulnessasalightinyourpast.
Repentancedoesnotmeanthatyoushouldgrovel
inyoursinbutthatyourheartshouldbesoftened
towardGodandthosearoundyou.
Fromaletter: Ilongforyoutondtruerepentance,
becauseitistheonlyhopeforyouinyourstruggle
againstbitterness.ThereisnoheartsohardthatGod
cannottouchitandmeltit.Iknowthisbecausethere
isnotoneofuswhohasnotoncehardenedhisheart
againstGod.Ifonlyyoucouldexperiencehisgreat
longingandburningloveforyouandforeachoneof
us! Thenyouwouldleteverythingthatseparatesyou
fromthisgreatlovebetornawayfromyou,however
painfulitmightbe.
Godsloveislikewater:itseeksthelowestplace.
Yetwecannotmakeourselveshumbleandlowlyin
ourownstrength.Wecanseeourselvesforwhatwe
1Cor.4:13 arelthandoff-scouringsonlyinthelightof
Godsomnipotence,love,purity,andtruth.
Onceweseethedarknessofsinandthehorrorof
separationfromGod,wecanfeelsomethingofwhat
Jesusmeansbyrepentance.Yetrepentancemeansmore
thanrecognizingoursin;itmeansturningtowardthe
kingdomofGod.Italsomeansbeingreadytorun
aroundtheworldinordertoundoallthewrongwe
havedoneeventhoughweknowwecannotundo
anything.Finally,itmeansgivingourselvestoHim
whogivesforgivenessandfreedomfromsin.
Fromaletter: Iamgratefulthatyourecognizeyour
sin,butIpleadwithyoutostopthinkingaboutyour-
self,yourpast,andyourdepression.Youwillonly
becomemoredepressed.Thatisnotrepentance.Think
ofyourinnerbeingasaclearpondthatmirrorsthe
sun,thestars,andthemoon.Ifyoustirupthemud
atthebottom,everythingwillbecomeunclearand
cloudy,andthemoreyoustirit,thecloudieritwill
get.Becomequietandstandrmagainstthedevil.
Thenthewaterwillclearagain,andyouwillseeinits
mirrorChristslovetoyouandtothewholeworld.
Conversion
Jn.3
InJohn3wereadthatwemustberebornofwater
andtheSpirit.Thiscannotbeunderstoodhumanly,as
Nicodemustriedtounderstandit.Rebirthisasecret,
amystery,amiracle.ButifwebelievethatJesuswas
sentbyGodtheFather,andifwebelieveinthepower
oftheHolySpirit,hecangiveusrebirth.Italldepends
onbelief.
AdecisiontofollowJesuscannotbeadecisionto
followhimforoneortwoyears;itmustbeforalways.
Jesussaid,Noonewhoputshishandtotheplowand
Lk.9:62
looksbackistforserviceinthekingdomofGod.
Butifweremainfaithfultohim,hewillwashusclean
andgiveusunitywithGodandwithoneanother,and
hewillgrantuseternallife.
ThosewhowanttofollowJesusmustnotonlyopen
theirheartstohimandsay,Comeintomyheartand
purifyme;theymustalsobereadytosay,Iamwill-
ingtodoanythingyouaskofme.Jesussays,Come,
Mt.11:28 allwhoareheavy-burdened.Ifyouarewillingto
Mt.22:37-39
cometohimtolethimintoyourheartthenyou
mustalsobewillingtolethimruleyouandtogiveup
yourownwill.
Discipleshipdemandsthatwedropeverything,in-
cludingeverythingwecountaspositiveinourselves.
PaulwaswillingtolayasidetheJewishlaw,andwe
mustlikewisegiveupourgoodself-image,ourrigh-
teousness,andourkindness,andcountitallasnoth-
ingforthesakeofJesusChrist.
TheradicalismofChristswaymustchallengeus.He
doesnotwanttowinnumbersbutdedicatedhearts.
Andhedoesnotpromisesecurity,eithereconomicor
otherwise.Heseeksthosewhowanttogivethemselves
unreservedlytoGodandtotheirbrothers,without
seekinganythingforthemselves.
ThedecisiontofollowChristmustbeadeeplyper-
sonalone.Butitcannevermeanassomeoneonce
saidtome,OnlyJesusandIremain.Discipleship
mustalwaysberelatedtoonesbrothersandsisters.
ThereforeJesusbringstogetherthetwocommand-
mentsLoveGodwithallyourheart,soul,andbe-
ing,andLoveyourneighborasyourself.Thesetwo
commandmentscannotbeseparated.Itistruethata
personalreligiousexperiencemusttakeplaceinones
innermostbeing,butitcannotbealonelyorselsh
experience.
Theessenceoffaithmustbecomeclearertous.One
mayaccepttheteachingsofthewholeBible,butwith-
outmeetingJesushimself,itwillbeofnovalue.Nor
doesithelptohaveaconvictionifonehasnotdeeply
feltandexperiencedJesuscharacter,hisbeing,andhis
nature.Eachmanmustbepersonallyconfrontedby
Jesushimself.
IfwegraspinourheartsthefactthatJesusdiedforus,
itwillchangeuscompletely:itwillmeanrevolution;
itwillmakesomethingnewoutofustothedestruc-
tionofoursinfulselfsothatwewillnolongerbe
slavestoit.
Partoftheexperienceoftrueconversionisthewilling-
nesstosufferwithChrist,thesufferingOne.Idonot
believethattrueconversionispossiblewithoutthis.
Discipleshipmeanscompletededication.Itdemands
everythingthewholeheart,thewholemind,andthe
wholeoflife,includingonestime,energy,andprop-
ertyforthecauseoflove.Half-heartedChristianityis
worsethannoChristianity.
Mt.12:33 Jesussays,Bythefruitsyouwillrecognizethetree;
thatis,bythefruitsofapersonslifewewillrecognize
whetherornotheisahypocrite.Fornoteveryone
whosaysLord,Lordwillcomeintothekingdomof
Mt.7:21
God,butonlythosewhodothewilloftheFather.
DoingthewillofGodmeansshowingthefruitsof
repentance.Jesusalsosays,Iamthevine,andmy
Jn.15:1-2 Fatheristhevinedresser,andeverybranchthatdoes
notbearfruit,hecutsaway.Butthosewhobearfruit
hepuriessothattheymaybearmorefruit.Herewe
seethatwecannotsimplybeconverted,baptized,and
saved,andlivefromthenonwithouttemptation.If
wearetobeargoodfruit,wemustrepentandbepuri-
edagainandagain.
Jn.15:4 Abranchcannotbearfruitofitselfitmustbe
connectedtothevine.Inthesameway,noneofus
canbearfruitwithoutapersonalrelationshiptoJesus.
Withoutsucharelationshipwewilldieinwardlyand
Jn.15:6 bearnofruit.Andifwedonotbearfruit,wewillbe
cutoffthevine,thrownintothere,andburned.
Thatisthegreatchallenge:toremainonthevineto
remaininJesus.
Faith
WhoisGod,andhowcanwendhim?Oneanswer
tothisquestionisthatsomethingofthelightofGod
alreadyliesdeepineachofourhearts.Attimesthisis
tobefeltonlyinadeeplongingforgoodness,justice,
purity,orfaithfulness.Butifsuchalongingturnsto
faith,wewillndGod.
TheearlyChristianssaidthatifmenseekGod
theywillndhim,becauseheiseverywhere.Thereis
noboundarythatcannotbecrossed,nohindrancethat
cannotbeovercometondhim.ThinkofNicodemus,
whoatrstwouldnotbelievethathecouldchange
inhisoldage.Evenhefoundfaith.Wecannotexcuse
ourselvesfornotndingfaith.Ifweknockatthedoor,
itwillopen.
Godcomestotheheartofeverypersonwhohasfaith
thathewillcome,toeveryonewhoseekshim.Butwe
mustlookforhimandwaitforhimtocometous.
Ifweliveourlivesindullnessitwillnothappen.We
mustrstseek;onlythenwillwend.
ItisamiracleoffaithwhenpeoplendJesusandrec-
ognizehimastheChrist.WeseethishappeninJohn
Jn.4:42 4:42,whentheSamaritansanswerthewomanwho
metJesusatthewell:Wehaveheardhimourselves
andknowthatthisisindeedChristtheSavior.Ifonly
thisfaithwerealivehereandnowinourchurchand
amongthemanywhothirstforsomethingnew!
TotheSamaritans,Jesuswasjustamanhungry,
tired,andthirsty.Noordinarypersoncouldhaveseen
inhimtheslightesttraceofhisidentity.Whocouldbe
blamedforfailingtorecognizehimimmediately?Ifwe
metacompletestranger,wewouldnotstraightaway
takehimtobetheSavioroftheworld.
Jesusappearancewasanythingbutthatofasavior:
hewasahumbleman;hegrewupinasmalltown,
cameintoconictwithreligiousleaders,andsuffereda
shamefuldeath.Thereforeitisamiraclewhenaper-
soncomestobelieveinhim.Whenwecansaylikethe
Jn.4:42 Samaritans,ThisisChrist,theSavioroftheworld,
ourhearthasbeenopenedandlledwithlight.
Fromaletter: Itseemsthatanew,greenbladeofliving
faithisbeginningtogrowinyourheart.Guardit,and
donotgiveintotheesh,toself,ortoanyformof
sin.Provetoyourself,tothosearoundyou,andtoGod
thatthisisanewchapterofyourlife.
Faithandagoodconsciencearecompletelyinteroven
withoneanother.Ifwedonotlistentoourcon-
science,ourfaithwillsuffershipwreck.Andifwelose
faith,welosethepossibilityofhavingapureandliv-
ingconscience.ThereforetheApostlesaysthatthe
Tit.1:15 consciencesofthosewhodonotbelievearenotclean.
Itisboundtobelikethis,becausewithoutfaiththe
consciencehasnothingtoholdonto.
Ioncemetsomepeoplewhowerecriticalofourgiv-
ingtoomuchhonortoJesus.Weweretalkingabout
asayingofJesus,andoneofthemaskedme,Doyou
believethisbecauseJesussaidit,orbecauseitistrue?
IsaidIbelieveditforbothreasons:becauseJesussaid
itandbecauseitistrue.IhavealwaysfeltIshould
havesaidmore;Ishouldhavebeenwillingtobeafool
andtosay,EvenifIdidnotunderstandit,Iwould
stillbelieveit,becauseJesussaidit.Thesepeoplewere
horriedthatanyonecouldhaveachildlikefaithin
Jesus.
Anyonewhohasnotbeentroubledbythescandal
ofChristssufferingandhiscompletehumiliationis
ignorantofthemeaningofbeliefinhim.
Jn.3:16-17
TheBiblesays,Godsolovedtheworldthathegave
hisonlybegottenSon.Hewasnotsenttocondemn
theworld,buttosaveit.Butitalsosaysthatthe
worldwillbejudgedbecauseofitsunbelief.Wemust
Rom.11:20
1Cor.13:12
1Jn.4:19
beoverwhelmedbywhatitmeansthatGodsoloved
theworld;thenwewillseehowterribleitisnotto
believeinhim.WemustaskGodtobenewlyawak-
enedtoadeeperfaithandbelief toafaiththatmeets
allpersonalproblems,allproblemsofcommunallife,
andultimatelytheproblemsofthewholeworld.
Fromaletter: PetertoldJesusthathewaswillingto
dieforhim,buthestilldeniedhimthreetimes.No
oneofuscansayhewillhavethestrengthtoendure.
SuchathingispossibleonlyinthepowerofGod.He
alonecangiveusstrength.
Whenpeoplefeellonelyandunsureofthemselves,it
isoftenbecausetheydonotbelievedeeplyenoughthat
Godfullyunderstandsthem.Paulwritesthatifwelove
fully,wewillunderstandaswearefullyunderstood.
Johnswordsareveryimportant,too:Godlovedusbe-
forewewereeverabletolovehim.Thisiswhatmust
enteroursmallhearts,andwhatwemustholdonto:
theloveofthegreatHeartwhichunderstandsusfully.
Weliveinatimewhenthewholeworldisinturmoil,
andwecanexpectevenmoreshakingeventsthanwe
havealreadyseen.Thereisonlyonehope,onlyone
thingtoholdontoineverysituation:Jesusandhis
kingdom.Inlifeanddeath,injoyandjudgment,he
remainsouronlySavior.
Col.2:4-23 AsPaulwarnsus,falseanddangerousteachingsare
widespread,alsoamongso-calledChristians.Letus
thereforeremainsimpleandchildlikeinourfaithin
theSonofGodandtheSonofMan,andletusbuild
ourlifeofbrotherlyloveontherockofthisfaith.
Whyaretheresomanypeopletodaywhocannotnd
faith?Ithinkthereareseveralreasons.Somearesatis-
edwithwhatishappening;theyareproudtobeliv-
inginatimeofgreatcultureandcivilization,andthey
areblindtothesufferingofhumankindandthewhole
ofcreation.TheyhavelostsightofGod.
Othersdespair.Theyrecognizetheinjusticeof
mammon,andtheysufferwiththosewhoareop-
pressed.Butintheircompassiontheyforgettheguilt
ofmentheguiltweallmustbear.Andiftheydosee
guilt,theyseeonlytheguiltofacertainclassorna-
tion,notthatofallmen.Theyseethecreationbutnot
theCreator.They,too,havelostsightofGod.
Stillothersseethesin,guilt,andweaknessofmen,
buttheyhavenoheart,nopatiencewiththeop-
pressed,andtheydonotsufferwiththem.Because
theyhavelostsightofGod,theydonothearthecry
ofallcreation.Theyhavenorealfaith,ortheyhave
foundfaithonlyfortheirownsoulsandnotforsuffer-
inghumanity.
WecanndfaithonlyifwerstndGod.When
wehavefoundGod,wewillbegintoseetheneedof
manfromHisviewpoint,andwewillbelievethatHe
Doubt
Jn.20:25-29
canovercomethisneed.MenmustrecognizethatGod
lovestheworldeveninourtime.Inthenightofjudg-
mentthatispassingoverourso-calledcivilization,
menneedtohearthatGodstilllovesthemandloves
hiscreation.Themessageoffaithisamessageoflove.
Fromaletter: Youwillneverbeabletoproveeven
toyourselfthatJesusexists.Beliefmustbeaninner
experience.Aslongasyoutrytoprovetheobjectof
yourbeliefintellectually,youreffortswillstandinthe
wayofsuchanexperience.Iamnotabletoprovethe
existenceofJesusIhavenothingbutmylivingfaith.
ThomasdoubtedthatJesusreallyrosefromthedead;
hesaid,UnlessIputmyhandintohiswounds,Iwill
neverbelieve.ThenhesawJesusandbelieved.But
Jesussaid,Blessedarethosewhohavenotseenand
yetbelieve.
ToquestionGodsloveandhisnearnessleadstodeath
forsomeonewhohasalreadygivenhimhislife.Itis
goodtorecognizeevilinoneself.Butweshouldnever
doubtGodsgreatmercy,eveninjudgment.Doubt
leadstotormentsthatmakeapersonfeelheislivingin
hell.Wemustbeledtoanever-reneweddeepeningof
ourfaith.
Anyonewhothinksheistoogreatasinneranyone
whodoubtsthatJesuscanhelphimbindshimselfto
Mt.7:7
Mt.6:6
Lk.12:22-26
Jn.14:1
thedevil.Hedoubtsthevictoryofthecross,andhe
hinderstheHolySpiritfromenteringhisheart.This
doubtmustberejected.Afterall,theGospelsaysthat
Jesuscarriesthesinofthewholeworld,andthathe
whoseekswillnd;tohimwhoknocksthedoorwill
beopened.
Christ,thelivingOne,diedonthecrosstorecon-
cileallthingstoGod.Thisreconciliationisbeyond
ourhumanunderstanding.Butwedoknowthatitis
possibleforeachofus,andthatwearecalledtorepent
andtondit.
Fromaletter: Theonlyanswertoyourinnertorment
isfaithinGod.Thismightsoundtheoretical,but
faithistheonlypointwherelightcanbreakintoyour
life.ThinkoftheSermonontheMount,whereJesus
teacheshisdisciplestopray:hesaysthatifyoulock
yourselfinyourroomandprayinsecret,God,who
seesinsecret,willrewardyou.Dothis,andbelieve
thatGodhearsyou.ThenyoucanandwillndGods
grace.Thereisredemptionfromevilifyoubelieve.
Fromaletter: Jesuswarnsusagainstworry,whichis
ultimatelyalackoftrustintheFather.Becomefree
fromworryandcare;setyourheartatrestandsimply
trustinGodandinJesus.
Youwritethatitisalwaysthelittlethingsthatmake
youdoubt.Donotallowthistohappen.Godwants
toshowusgreatthingshehasbeentherefromthe
beginningandwithhimtheWord,Christ.Everything
wascreatedbyhim.ThinkinthegreatcurvesofGods
creationandhiseternity.
Iwanttoencourageanyonewhofeelsdiscouraged
becauseofhavingmadeunsuccessfulattemptstofol-
lowChrist.Inandofourselveswecannotfollowhim;
weareallequallyunable.Butthatisbecauseourdedi-
cationtohimisnotcomplete.Onlywhenweempty
ourselvescompletely,whenwegiveeverythingover
toGod,canhework.Aslongasweworkinourown
vanity,wewillfail.Godshowsusagainandagainhow
terriblywefailandstandinhisway,asachurchandas
individuals.Discipleshipisnotaquestionofourown
doing;itisamatterofmakingroomforGodsothat
hecanliveinus.
Dogmatism
Fromaletter: MayGodgiveusbighearts.Maywe
havefaithinhisworkinginallmen,thoughwithout
anymixtureofspirits.Mayhegiveusacrystal-clear
faiththatincludesloveforallpeopleandyetmixes
withnodarkness,thatforgivesandunderstandsallyet
doesnotbetrayoneiotaofthetruth.
WehavetoembracethewholeChristhissharp-
nessaswellashisactofloveonthecross.Christslove
forallmenistheloveoftheLambwhocarriesthe
sinoftheworld.Yetheproclaimseternaldamnation
Jn.5:29-30 asnecessaryforthefutureofGodsrulershipoflove,
unity,andjustice.Tochangeorweakenthiswouldbe
tomisrepresenthismessage.
Fromaletter: Youstatethattobelievethisorthatis
dogmatic.Butsuchaconceptionispuretheology.It
isthechurchesthatareguiltytheyhavegivenmil-
lionsofpeopletheimpressionthatcertainbeliefsare
nothingbutdogma,yetitistheywhomadetheminto
dogma.
WearefreeofanydoubtaboutthemiraclesofGod.
Wefeelcompletelyfreetobelieveinthemiracleof
JesusbirthandthecomingofGodinJesus.Onthe
otherhand,weneverwanttolaythisasaburdenon
theconsciencesofothers,andwerefusealltheologi-
calghtingovertheissue.WedonotdoubtthatJesus
ofNazarethcamedirectlyfromGodandthathewas
andisonewithGod,butwedonotwanttodispute
theissueonadogmaticlevel.Werejectalldogmatism
becauseitkills.WehopeforandbelieveintheHoly
Spirit.
ThebirthofChristhappensagainandagain.Where
twoorthreearetogetherinhisname,whereheisac-
ceptedwiththesamefaithasMarys,theretheliving
Christwillcomeintobeing.IfwebelieveintheHoly
Spirit,thentheWordwillbecomeeshinourhearts
andproveitselftousastheSonofGod.
Thisbecomingeshisareality,butthefactthat
youcannotbelieveitmakesitpossibleforyoutopar-
ticipateinachurchwhereunjustconditionsremain
unchanged.Youattacksocialinjustice,butyoustill
participateinachurchwheretheloveofGoddoes
notcomeintotheeshandwherethematerialworld
isindependentofthespiritualexperience.Hereliesa
deepseparationbetweenfaithandexperience.Youcall
ourbeliefsdogma:inactualfact,itisanyreligiouslife
thatdoesnotchangelifeintheeshandtheeconomic
spherethatisdogmaticanddangerousfortheinner
man.
Wemustbecomenarrowintheright
waynarrowinthesensethatweliveonlyforChrist.
Idonotmeanatallthatourlivesshouldshowmore
religiosity.Thereisnooneasbroadheartedasthecru-
ciedChrist,whoseoutstretchedarmsseekallmen.It
isamatterofdecisivenessinonesheart,oflivingonly
forChrist.Ifwehavethisdecisiveness,wewillhave
broadhearts,thoughnot,ofcourse,intheworldly
senseoftoleranceforanythingandeverything.
Fromaletter: Themainthingisthatweareunited
inthethingswendpreciouslove,openness,and
sharinginourstruggleagainstcoercion,inourght
againstselshness,inunderstandingourchildren,in
seekingfreedomfromprivateproperty,andsoon.It
isforthesethingsthatwelivetogether.Wewantto
followJesusandnoneother;wewanttogoinhisfoot-
steps.WewantGodskingdomtocometothisearth.
Youwantalifefreefromthesinsofsociety.Yetnot
Mt.17:27
evenJesuswasfreefromtheguiltofusingunjust
mammon.Thereisadifferencebetweendirectper-
sonalguiltandthecollectiveguiltoffallencreation.
Wecannotseparateourselvesfromcollectiveguilt;we
wouldhavetolivealoneonourownpieceofland,
andwewouldloseallcontactwithourfellowmen.It
isbettertohaveabusinessrelationshipwithaperson
thannorelationshipatall.
Inwhatsensedoyoumean:Whycantweworkto
reclaimtheearthandhelpbringitbackunderGods
power,insteadofjoiningintheworldswaysofdestruc-
tion?Howshallwedowhatyousuggestexceptby
isolatingourselvescompletelyfromtheworld?Tryit.
Dowhatyouwanttodo.Youwillendupwithalotof
principles,butincompletelonelinessandlovelessness.
Fromaletter: Principlesthemselvesdonotleadto
lovelessness,butinmyexperiencetheyoftenleadto
disaster.Iknewamanwhowouldnotuseanymoney
orthepostofceorapassport,andhewasjailedagain
andagainfornotpayingtaxes.Hewasveryrmin
hisprinciples,butheendeduplosinghisfaithinJesus
andthenallhisprinciplestoo.
Fromaletter: WhereisGodinyourfearofusing
outwardreligiousforms?Inhimallwascreated;noth-
ingwascreatedwithouthim.Hegaveformtoevery-
thingweseeinthebeautyoftheearth.Yourlongingto
dispensewithallformsisanti-Christian.DidntJesus
allowhimselftobebaptized,anddidntheestablish
theLordsSupperorMealofRemembrance?
FormalChristianityishorrifying.Butyougotoo
farwithyourfears.Marriageisaform;soisthecom-
montableandthecommonpurse.Youcannotsimply
fearallforms,otherwiseyouwillnotbeabletolivea
Christianlifeatall.
Fromaletter: Whatdoesithelpustoshareourgoods
ortoliveincommunityandtobeofonefaith,ifhu-
mansoulsareharmedbecausewehavetoolittletime
toloveourbrothersandsistersandtoexpressthis
loveagainandagain?Letuswatchthatweneverever
becomeobsessedbyaprinciple,howeverrightand
true.Byitself,therightprincipleisdeadly.Itkillsthe
soul.RightprinciplesresultedinGethsemane.They
tooeasilytaketheplacethatbelongsonlytoGod,his
goodness,andhisgrace.Ourprinciplesmustbeover-
shadowedbyourlovetooneanotherandbythecom-
passionandgraceofGod.
Mt.13:45-46
Commitment
Manypeoplebecomeusedtoadualisminwhich
theirlivesaredividedintoparts,andthisisagreat
strain.Wendthisalsoamongso-calledreligious
people perhapsespeciallyamongthem.ButJesuswas
absolutelysingle-minded.Hedemandedthatwesell
allotherjewelsinordertobuytheonepearlofgreat
price.Weshouldnotlookatonethingwithoneeye
andtrytofollowhimwiththeother.Ifweponderthis
deeply,eachofuswillrealizehehastoconfrontthe
divisioninhisownheart.Wemustgiveupalldivided-
ness.Wewanttobeofoneheartandonesoulboth
inourselvesandwithourneighbor.Itisaquestionof
lifeanddeath.Unlesswendsinglenessofheartand
mind,ourdividednesswilltearustopieces.
Fromaletter: Wemustbepreparedtostandbyour
ownconvictions,eventosufferdeathforthesake
ofJesus.IntheHutteriteChronicle*thereisastory
aboutasixteen-year-oldboy,thesonofamiller,who
*TheChronicleoftheHutterianBrethren,Vol.I(Vienna,1923;English
translation,Rifton,NY:1987),ahistoryoftheHutteritesandotherAna-
baptistsof16thcenturyEurope.(Seepp.64-65.)
convertedtotheAnabaptistwayoflife.Whenhe
wascaughtandsentencedtobebeheaded,awealthy
noblemanofferedtotakehimandraisehimashisown
son,ifhewouldonlyrecant.Buttheboykeptfaith
withGodandwasexecuted.Ifdiscipleshipisreally
thewaywewanttogo,wemustbepreparedforsuch
sacricehoweverharditis,andinspiteofourselves
andourfailures.
ApromisemadetoGodcannotbemadeonthe
strengthofhumanfaithfulness.Wemustdependon
Godsfaithfulness.Nooneisstrongenoughinhisown
strengthtoendure,forinstance,whattheearlyChris-
tianmartyrsandothersthroughouthistoryendured;
butGodisfaithful.Ifwegiveourselvestohim,his
angelswillghtforus.
DowestillhaveourrstlovetoJesus,ourreadinessto
giveeverything,eventofacedeathforhissake?Today
wehavehouseandhome,butwedonotknowwhat
thefuturewillbring.Thetimesareveryuncertain.In
thecourseofourBruderhofhistorywehavehadtogo
fromonecountrytoanother.Wecanoffernohuman
Jn.15:20
security.Jesuspromiseshisdisciplesthattheywillbe
persecutedandthattheywillsuffer.Wecanpromise
nothingbetter.OuronlysecurityisJesushimself.
WemustnotforgetthatJesustaughtusawayofcom-
pleteloveawaythatmeanslovingevenourenemies
andprayingforthosewhopersecuteus.Asdisciplesof
Jesuswearenotpromisedgooddaysonly.Wemustbe
preparedforpersecution.Throughouthistorypeople
havebeenkilledfortheirconvictions.Weshouldbe
thankfulthatwehavebeenprotectedtillnow,butwe
shouldalsobereadytosufferforourfaith.
AChristianscommitmenttoChristcannotbe
changedthroughcircumstances.Thismustbequite
clear.ForusattheBruderhof,thelargerprotectionof
thechurchcommunitymightbetakenawayatany
time.Butevenifthroughpersecutiononlyoneper-
sonfromourcommunitieswereleft,hewouldstillbe
boundtohiscommitments.
IfweloveGodwithallourheart,soul,andbeingif
weliveourlivesforthesakeofhishonorandforthe
kingdomofGodthenwecanspeakofhimwithas-
Ps.28.1
suranceinourprayersasMyLord,myRock.Itdoes
notmatterifwehaveenemiesorwhatthoseenemies
sayaboutus.WewillhearthevoiceofGodinour
heartsandbefaithful.
Wemustbefaithfultotheend. ForaChristianthe
mostdangeroustimeisthemiddleoflife.Atthe
beginning,whenourfaithisnew,Godmayseemespe-
ciallyneartous.Afterafewyears,however,lukewarm-
nessoftensetsin.Ifwearededicated,Godwillcarry
usthroughourmiddleyears,thoughwemuststillbe
watchful.Butletusnothavefear.Ifwearetrueto
God,nothingcanseparateusfromhispeace.
Temptation*
Heb.2:18
Heb.4:15
Mt.4:1-10
Heb.4:15
TheLowerNature
Isometimeswonderwhetherwehavenotbecometoo
worldlyincertainthings.Dosports,businessmatters,
andconcernformoneyllourheartstoomuch?These
areobviousworldlydistractionsortemptations.But
thereisalsoadangerthateventhegiftsGodgivesus,
suchasthebeautiesofnatureorthejoysofhuman
love,canbecomeasubstitutefortherealexperienceof
Christ.
TheLettertotheHebrewsclearlystatesthatJesuswas
temptedjustlikeanyotherhumanbeing.WhenJesus
wastemptedinthewilderness,Satancametohimand
usedwordsfromscripturetotempthim.Onlyafter
thethirdtemptationdidJesusrecognizehimandsay,
Begone,Satan.
AtonetimetheideaofJesusbeingtemptedseemed
blasphemoustome.YetnowIseethatthereisno
question:hewas temptedlikeanyotherhumanbeing.
ThatiswhattheGospelsays.Inspiteofthis,itisclear
thatJesusneversinned.
Wheredoestemptationendandsinbegin?Ifweare
*Forthissectionextensiveusehasbeenmadeoftheauthor'sbookFreedom
fromSinfulThoughts(Plough,1973).
plaguedortemptedbyevilthoughts,thatinitselfis
notsinning.Forinstance,ifanimpurethoughtcomes
tousandwerejectit,thatisnotsin.Butifwebuya
dirtymagazineinordertoindulgeinsexualfantasies,
thatissin.
Itisaquestionofwhatwedowhentemptation
comes whatattitudewetake.WhenJesuswastempt-
edbySatan,hehadananswerforhimeachtime.That
iswhatwehavetoprayfor:ananswertoeverytempta-
tion.
Wewillneverbecompletelyfreeoftemptation
weshouldnotevenexpectit;Jesushimselfnever
reachedthisstate.ButweshouldaskGodtoprotect
usintemptationandtogiveustherightanswertothe
Temptereachtime.
Fromaletter: Icannotsayitsharplyenough:ifyou
auntyourformorhair,orifyoudresssoastotempt
anotherpersontoanimpurelook,youcommitasin
worthyofchurchdiscipline.JesussaysintheSermon
ontheMountthatanyonewhocastsanimpurelook
atanotherisguilty.Butifyouwillinglyandintention-
allybringanotherintothattemptation,youarejustas
guilty.
2Cor.10:5
Pauldescribesthebelieversghtagainstevilthoughts
asavictoriousoneinwhicheverythoughtistaken
captivetoobeyChrist.Paultakesforgrantedthat
menhaveargumentsandobstaclesintheirmindsand
thatthesemustbetakencaptivetoobeyChrist.Allof
usmustghtthisbattle.Weshouldnotbesurprisedif
wearetempted;itispartoflife.
ThewonderfulthingaboutPaulswordsishiscer-
taintythatthesethoughtscanbetakencaptivetoobey
Christ.Ofcourse,victoryisnotalwayseasy.Wemust
facethefactthatawarbetweengoodandevilisbeing
wagedcontinuallyforallofhumankind.Ithasbeen
goingoneversincemansfall,especiallysinceChrists
deathandthecomingdownoftheHolySpiritat
Pentecost.Ifsomeoneistormentedbyevilthoughts,
heshouldrememberthatthespiritualbattleismuch
greaterthanthatinhisownheart.Itisgreatereven
thanthatofthewholechurch.
TheEnemyisveryreal,andifwerecognizethis,we
willnotbelukewarm.ButChristisalsoveryreal.To
ndtruefreedomofheart,weneedtoexperiencehim.
Heb.4:15
WeknowfromtheLettertotheHebrewsthatJesus
wastemptedasweare;hedidnotsin,butheunder-
standsusinourtemptationandneed.Everyone
everybrotherandsister,andeveryyoungoroldper-
sonshouldknowthatwehaveaHighPriest,aKing,
Heb.5:7 aMasterwhounderstands.Hebrews5:7says,Inthe
daysofhisesh,Jesusofferedupprayersandsupplica-
tionswithloudcriesandtearstohimwhowasableto
savehim.Allofusareguiltyofsinsinthepast,sowe
shouldallfeellikecomingbeforeGodinprayerwith
loudcriesandtearsandturningtohiminthefaith
thathecansaveusandallthoseforwhomwepray.
Ifwethinkevilthoughtsdeliberately,betheythoughts
ofpoweroverotherpeople,ofimpurity,ofhatred,or
ofanyothersuchevil,wewillactonthemsomeday.
Butitisverydifferentifwearetormentedbyideas,
images,orthoughtswereallydonotwantandwould
giveanythingtohaveapureheartinstead.Withour
ownwillitisneverpossibletomakeourselvespure.
Whenwearecrampedupinsideagainstsomething
evil,itcanevenleadtothatevilhavinggreaterpower
overus.ButweshouldneverforgetthatGodsees
deeperthanwedo.Evenifwesinkfurtherandfurther
intoevilthoughtsthatwedonotactuallywant,God
willseewedonotwantthem,andhewillhelpus.
EvenJesuswastemptedbythedevil.Butheovercame
allevilbyfullytrustinghisFather.Youwillbetempted
too,andwhenyouare,allthatmatterswillbewhether
ornotyoucompletelytrustJesusandthepowerofthe
cross.UnlessyouputyourtrustandbeliefinJesus,
youwillbedefeated.
ThefeelingofbeingforsakenbyGodbringsthemost
dreadfulsuffering.AndfortheSonofGodtofeelthis
ashediedmusthavebeensuchafearfulexperience
thatwecannotgraspit.YetinspiteofitJesuscried
Lk.23:46
out,Father,intothyhandsIgivemyspirit.
Herewendthecrowningoffaith.Jesusexperi-
enceofgodforsakennessdidnottakeawaythetrust
andfaithhehadinhisandourFather;hegavehis
spiritintohishands.
Ifwewanttobehealedofthewoundsmadeby
Satanstricksandarrowsbyevilfeelings,thoughts,
orideas wemusthavethesameabsolutetrustinJesus
ashehadinGod,sothatevenifwefeelnothingyet,
wegiveourselvesabsolutelyandwithoutreserveto
himwithallweareandhave.Ultimately,allwehave
isoursin.Butwemustlayoursinbeforehimintrust.
Thenhewillgiveusforgiveness,cleansing,andpeace
ofheart;andtheseleadtoalovethatcannotbe
described.
WhendepressionoranythingotherthanJesusthreat-
enstoruleourhearts,wemustgotoJesus.Therewe
willndvictoryandpeace.Iamquitesurethatatthe
crosswecanbevictoriousoverallthingsthatcometo
usinlife,whatevertheymaybe.
Sin
Manypeoplenolongerknowwhatagoodconscience
is;theyareburdeneddailywiththesinsofourtime.
Wemusttakecaretokeepourconsciencespure,and
wemustdothisfromchildhoodon.Oncewegetused
tolivingwithabadconscience,wewillloseeverything:
ourrelationshipwithGodandourlovetoothers.
Heb.5:7
Whichofustakesourstrugglewithsinsoseriously
thatweghtwithloudcriesandtears?Jesusdid.No
onehaseverfoughtlikeJesusnoone.Thedevil
wantednoheartmorethanhis.Andbecausehefought
muchharderthananyoneofuswilleverhavetoght,
heunderstandsourstruggles.Ofthatwecanbesure.
Butwedohavetoght.Jesussaysthatthosewho
Mt.16:24 wanttofollowhimmusttakeuptheircrossashetook
uphis.IwanttochallengeeveryonetoghtasJesus
fought toghtuntildeath.
PaultheApostlespokeofhimselfasthegreatestsin-
ner.Thesewerenotjustpiouswords;hereallymeant
them.Hehadpersecutedtheearlychurchandwas
responsibleformanymartyrsdeaths,andheknewhe
wasanenemyofGod.
AtPentecostthepeopleinJerusalemalsosawthem-
selvesassinnerstheydidnotfeeltheyweregood.
Acts2:37 Theywerecuttotheheart,andwhentheHoly
Spiritcametothem,theydidnotfeelworthyofit.In
fact,theysawthemselvesasthemurderersofChrist.
Butbecauseofthisrecognition,Godcouldusethem.
IfwewanttobeusedbyGod,wemustnottalkand
preachtooneanotheraboutlovewithoutrecognizing
thateachoneofus,too,isactuallyasinner.
Sinisnotonlyamatterofourlowernature.Weall
havetoghtourlowernature,butsomepeoplego
furtherandfallintosatanicsin.Satanicsiniswanting
praiseforoneselfandwantingtheglorythatbelongs
onlytoGod.Itisthedesireforpoweroverthesouls
andbodiesofotherssoastobeadored,andultimately
itisthedesiretobeGod.ItisthewayoftheAnti-
christ.
Ifwegiveourselvestosatanicsin,allthesinsofour
lowernaturewillshowthemselvestoo:impurity,mam-
monism,hypocrisy,envy,hatred,brutality,andnally
murder.
Fromaletter: Ithankyouforyourlongandfullac-
countofyourlifeandforyourattempttoconfessyour
sinsfully.IhavedeepcompassionwithyouwhenI
hearaboutyourdifcultchildhood.WhenIthink
whatablessedchildhoodImyselfhad,Ifeelashamed;
Godwillsurelyaskmoreofmethanofyou.
YourpastmakesmethinkofJesuswords,Icame
Lk.5:31-32 notforthehealthyandthejust,butforthesickand
thesinners.Donotforgetthis;holdontoitthrough
allhoursofneedandtemptation.
Dearbrother,weneedtoseeandexperiencethe
wholeGospel:theexceedinglygreatloveofJesustothe
sinner,forwhomhedied,butalsothesharpnessofhis
parablesandhisshakingwordsforthosewhodonot
Mt.8:12
repent:Therewillbeweepingandgnashingofteeth.
Revelation22:1215containstheessenceofthe
wholeGospel:ittellsofthewagespaidtoeveryone
whohasdonegoodworksandoftheblessinggivento
everyonewhohaspuriedhisgarmentsintheblood
oftheLamb.Butthencomesasharpnesswhichwe
Rev.22:15 cannotsoften:Outsidearedogs,sorcerers,andforni-
cators;murderersandidolaters;andallwholoveand
practicedeceit.
Ifwegiveourheartstoevil,thedevilwillenterusand
ruleus.Hedoesthiswheneverwemakeourowngods.
FortheancientJewsitwasagoldencalf.Todaymam-
monthedollar hasbecomeagod.ThereforeGods
Mk.12:30 FirstCommandmentistolovehimwithallourheart,
mind,andbeing.Ofcourse,itisimpossibletofulll
thiscommandmentwithoutreallytrustingGod
withoutbeingabletobelievethatonlygoodcomes
fromhimandthathealwaysmeansitwellwithus,on
theconditionthatwedohiswill.
Jesussecondcommandment,whichisasimpor-
Mk.12:31
tantastherst,istoloveourneighborasourselves.
Thedevilwillalwayswhispertousandtellusnotto
trustourneighbor,andifwelistentohim,division,
mistrust,andsinwillenterourrelationships.Herein
Americaweseethisespeciallyinracism.Butweseeit
overthewholeearth:inwarandineveryhumanheart
wherethereishatredagainstanother.
ThereisnothingyoucanhidefromGod.Youmight
hideyoursinsfromothers,butultimatelytheywillall
Heb.4:13 cometolight,includingyoursecretthoughts.Whether
anevilthoughtisasinornotdependsonwhetheryou
entertainitortakeastandagainstit.Luthersaidthat
evilthoughtscomelikebirdsyingoverourheads.We
cannothelpthat.Butifweallowthemtobuildnests
onourheads,thenweareresponsibleforthem.
Fromaletter: Ipleadwithyoutoturnawayforthe
restofyourlifefromallhardnessandcruelty,espe-
ciallycrueltytowardchildrenandsickorweakpeople.
WhatdidJesussaytohisdiscipleswhentheywanted
tocalldownrefromheaventodestroythevillage
thatrefusedtotakethemin?Hewasshockedbytheir
hard,unchildlikespiritandrebukedthem:Youdo
Lk.9:55-56 notknowtowhatspirityoubelong.TheSonofMan
didnotcometodestroymenslives,buttosavethem.
ThinkalwaysofJesus;thenyourheartwillchange.
Fromaletter:Idonotunderstandwhyyoucameto
thechurchandlied.WhenAnaniasandSapphiracame
tojointhechurchatJerusalembutheldbacktheir
moneydishonestly,Peteraskedthem,Howdidyou
Acts5:4 contrivesuchanactinyourhearts?Youhaveliednot
tomenbuttoGod.Healsotoldthemtheycould
havestayedawayfromthechurchandkeptwhatthey
hadforthemselves.
Whydoyoucometojoinusifatthesametimeyou
burdenyourconsciencebylyingtoGodandtous?
Youwillhavetogiveanaccountforthis.Mansdestiny
Heb.9:27
Heb.10:26-27
istodie;afterthathemustbejudgedbyGod.Ifyou
donotwanttofacejudgmentnow,youwillhaveto
faceitlater.Wewillnotforceyou.Hebrews10:2627
says,Ifweremainwillinglyinoursinafterwehave
recognizedthetruth,therewillbenosacriceforus
anymore,butonlytheexpectationofterriblejudgment
andthewrathofre.
Heb.12:15 Hebrews12:15saysthatnooneshouldforfeitthe
hourofGodsgrace.Youarefreetocontinueplaying
withGod,butthenwecanhavenothingtodowith
you,andyouwillhavetoanswertoGodalone.There
isstillachanceforyoutoturnaround!
Rom.8:1-2
Thereisnocondemnationforthosewhoareunited
withJesusChrist,becauseinhimthelife-givinglaw
oftheSpirithassetyoufreefromthelawofsinand
death.Thisissuchajoyfulthoughtallsinisover-
come.Butifwelookatourownexperienceweseethat
itisnotovercomeeverywhere,andthereasonissimply
thatwearenotlivinginChristJesusbutinourold
nature.Itisanillusiontothinkthatwedonothave
thislowernature.Wehavecomeintotheworldwith
Rom.8:5
it,andweourselvescannotchangeit,evenwiththe
bestintentions.ButChristcanchangeitifwetrust
himandgiveourselvesunconditionallytohim.
Thosewholiveontheleveloftheirlowernature
havetheiroutlookformedbyit.Weexperiencethis
againandagain:peoplewhoseoutlookisbasedon
theirlowernaturecomeforthwithhatred,jealousy,
andenvyasifChristhadnotcome,asifhehadnot
diedonthecross,asifhissacricewasinvain.Thisis
extremelypainful.Paulsays,Theoutlookofthelower
Rom.8:7-8
natureisenmitywithGod.Itisnotsubjecttothelaw
ofGod;indeeditcannotbe:thosewholiveonsuch
alevelcannotpossiblypleaseGod.Itcannotbeput
morestrongly:thosewhocannotovercometheirde-
siresmaymeannoevil,butinactualfacttheirlivesare
hostiletoGod.Theyarenotsubjecttohislaw.This
goesforanyonewholivesinimpurity,hatred,jealousy,
deceit,orothersinfulness.Itisimpossibleforhimto
pleaseGod.
Rom.8
PaulspeaksinRomans8abouttheloweroreshly
nature,andwemustbeclearthatthisincludesourde-
siresforfood,comfort,andsex.Allmustbesubjectto
theSpirit.Weneedfoodandhousing,andweafrm
sexwithinmarriage,butifthesethingsruleusinstead
ofChrist,wearesinning.Godknowsthatweneed
foodonthetableeveryday,butthatmustnotrule
us;wemustnotbecomedependentongoodfoodor
spoilourchildrenandourselves.Foodisjustasimple
example,ofcourse.Ifweareruledbyanythingbut
Christ,evenspiritualthingsreligiousthinkingand
readingwearelivingbytheesh.Evenifwewere
toadheretothemostself-mortifyingphilosophy,like
thatoftheBuddha,itwouldstillbeeshly,becausewe
wouldbeblowingupourpridebyputtingourselvesin
thecenterinsteadofChrist.
Rom.8:9
Mt.7:7-8
Everythingdependsonwhetherwearecompletelygiv-
enovertoChrist.Romans8:9saysthathewhodoes
nothavethespiritofChristisnotevenaChristian.
Yetwecannotacquireitourselves;wecanonlyreceive
itbygivingourselvestohim.TheGospelsaysthat
everyonewhoasksreceives...tohimwhoknocks,the
doorwillbeopened.Inotherwords,hewhoaskswill
receivelivingwaterwithoutneedingtopayanything.
Wehavegreatcompassionwithpeoplewhostruggle
invain,yearinandyearout,toovercometheirweak-
nesses,butatthesametimewemustadmitthat
Rom.8:1-2
actuallytheyareguilty.Thereisnoexcuseforthem,
becausetheydonotgivethemselvesinfaithtoChrist.
AsPaulwrites,Thereisnocondemnationforthose
whoareunitedwithChristJesus,becauseinhimthe
life-givinglawoftheSpirithassetusfreefromthelaw
ofsinanddeath.Thispossibilityisopentoeveryone.
WecannothidefromGodandsay,Wearetooweak,
orWewanttochange,butcannot.Ultimatelythese
excuseshavenofoundation.Paulcontinues:
Rom8:12-13 Itfollows,myfriends,thatourlowernaturehas
noclaimuponus;wearenotobligedtoliveon
thatlevel.Ifyoudoso,youmustdie.Butifby
theSpirityouputtodeathallthebasepursuits
ofthebody,youwilllive.
Theseareverystrongwords.Whocanreallysaythat
thelowernaturehasnoclaimonhim?Suchfreedom
fromsindependsonabsolutededicationtoChrist.We
mustputtodeatheveryformofsin.Thenitwillbe
impossibleforjealousy,hatred,impurity,lying,orany
othersintobevictoriousinus.
Therearepeoplewhodonotbreakwithsinbecause
theythinktheycannot.Butthatisanuntruth.Jesus
Christisalwaysthere,andsoistheHolySpirit,andif
anysoulreallycriesouttoGod,theSpiritwillspeakto
Godforhim.Sothereisnoexcusewhatsoevernotto
stopsinning.Thereisnoonewhohasasmuchcom-
passionandloveforsinnersasJesus,buthedoesnot
excusesin.Letuspleadthateveryonemayndfree-
domfromsininChristJesus.
Self-pityandpride,whicharecloselyrelated,have
nothingtodowiththecross.Bothofthemarecon-
cernedonlywithme,me,me.Wemustturnaway
fromthem,otherwisewecannotexperiencecomplete
victoryoveroursinfulness.Itissaidthatinthetime
oftheearlychurch,thedemonscriedout,Whois
hethatrobsusofourpower?Thebelieversanswered
withtheexultantshoutofvictory,Christ,thecruci-
ed!*Thatshouldbeourproclamation.
*EberhardArnold,ed.,TheEarlyChristians(Rifton,NY:Plough,1970),
p.8.
Jn.13:34
Loveoneanotherisoneofthemostimportantcom-
mandmentsofJesus,andwecannottakeitseriously
enough.Thereareothercommandmentsthatwemust
obeytoo:weshouldnotlovemoney;weshouldnot
commitadultery;weshouldnotdeletheesh;and
therearemanyothersinswemustavoid.YetChrists
greatestcommandislove.AndthereforeIthinklove-
lessnessisthegreatestsin.
Godwilljudgeallformsoflovelessness,butespecially
contempt theactofmakingsomeonebelieveheisa
Mt.5:22
fool.Christsays,Anyonewhonursesangeragainst
hisbrothermustbebroughttojudgment . . . andifhe
sneersathim,hewillhavetoanswerforitintheres
ofhell.Whohasneverbeenangrywithhisbrother,or
neversneeredathim?Whohasneverspokendegrad-
inglyofanother?Christchallengesustoliveinperfect
love.
Fromaletter: Ifeelguiltyofbeingtooharshandeven
angryattimeswithmybrothersandsisters.Wemust
learnfromJesushowtobekindandgentle.Onthe
otherhand,wemustneverbewishy-washy;ourcom-
passionmustalwaysbemixedwiththesaltofChrist.
Theideathatweareintheworldbutnotofthe
worldcannotbeunderstoodbytheintellectalone.
Jn.17:15-16
Rom.7:22-25
Certainly,wewillremainintheworldaslongaswe
live.Butwearenottobeofit.Somepeoplesay
dancingisoftheworldoroftheesh.Otherssay
itisworldlytowearshortdresses.Stillotherssaythat
alcoholisworldly,orthatcertainmusicorcertaincars
are.Therearemanyso-calledworldlythings.Ifwe
arelivingintheHolySpirit,wewillfeelinourhearts
thosethingsoftheworldwhichwemustgiveup.May
wenotdesirewhatisoftheesh;butmaywebesaved
frommakingrulesandregulationstopreventworldli-
ness!MayGodshowuswhatisoftheHolySpiritand
whatisofthespiritoftheworld.
IfwehadonlytheLaw,wecouldstillhatesomeone
evenifwedidntkillhim;wecouldstillthinkevil
thoughtsofsomeonewithoutsheddingblood.But
thatisnotenough.AsPaulrightlysays,theLawcan
neverchangeourhearts.ItisJesuswhomustlivein
us.Throughhimwecanloveourenemy,andthrough
himwecanllourheartswiththoughtsofGod.
Fromaletter:Youneedtobecomeabsolutelydeter-
minedtofollowJesus.Itisnottruethatyouaretoo
weaktoovercomesinthatisalieofthedevil.InJesus
itis possibletoovercomesin.Thatiswhyhediedon
thecross.Livetotallyforhim.
Mt.5:6-8
Blessedarethosewhohungerandthirstforjustice,
blessedarethosewhoaremerciful,blessedarethose
Confession
whoarepureinheart.Tobepureinheartisperhaps
thehardest.Itiseasiertohungerandthirstforrigh-
teousnessortobecompassionateormerciful.Weour-
selvescannotmakeourheartspure.
Onlychildrenhavepurehearts,andthereforeJesus
saysthatwemustbecomelikechildren.Yetweknow
thatevenifwestrivetobecomelikechildren,things
thatarenotofGodimpurity,envy,andvanity
enterourheartscontinually,andsoweneedtobe
puriedagainandagainbyChrist.
Fromaletter: Ihavedeepunderstandingforanyone
whofeelsoppressedandburdenedbysinsofthepast
andhasalongingtoconfessthem.Butconfession
itselfisnohelp.Peoplepayalotofmoneytotell
psychiatristsalltheirsufferingsandsins,andthese
psychiatristshelpthemtondwaysofquieteningtheir
consciences.Butpsychiatryalonedoesnotbringtrue
freedom.
Yousayyouhaveconfessedyoursinsbutnotfound
freedom.Youwillnditonlywhenyouconfessyour
sinsinfaith:faithinGodandinthecrossofJesus
Christ,whodiedfortheworldssins.Allotherconfes-
sionconsistsofsimplyunloadingyourburdensonto
anotherperson,andlatertheburdenwilljustcome
back.Peaceisfoundonlybythoseforwhomconfes-
sionofsinsisboundtogetherwithalivingfaith.Iwish
youthisfaith.
Withregardtoconfession:everyconscioussinshould
beconfessed,butthisdoesnotmeandigginginthe
subconsciousforeverylittlething.WhereGodtells
usthroughourconsciencethatsomethingiswrong,
weshouldconfessitandclearitupsothatitcanbe
forgiven.Butconfessionshouldnotmakeusself-cen-
tered;wewanttondJesus,notourselves.
Fromaletter: Youaskwhichevilthoughtsoneought
toconfess.Everyhumanbeinghasthoughtscometo
himtowhichhemustsay,Getbehindme,Satan!If
Mt.16:23
youmeetevilthoughtswiththisattitudeyoudonot
needtoconfessthem,thoughyoushouldforgetthem
assoonaspossible.Evenifyouhavetoghtagainst
anevilthoughtforsomemomentsbeforeyoureject
it,youdonotnecessarilyhavetoconfessit.Butifyou
giveintoanevilthoughtandletitbecomepartof
you,youshouldconfessit.Iwouldadviseyounotto
occupyyourselftoolongwithyourthoughts.
Fromaletter: Iupholdthesanctityofprivateconfes-
sioninthefearofGod,andIdonotthinkitright
ifpeoplewhounburdentheirsinsarethenlabelled
becauseofthem.However,inkeepingthesecrecyof
confession,thereisapointatwhichIwouldbesin-
ningifIkeptwhatIheardtomyself.Whenamember
SpiritualPride
Mt.6:3
ofthechurchhascommittedaserioussinsuchasfor-
nicationoradulteryorevenmurder(whichhasnever
yethappenedtous)IwouldfeelIwasbetrayingGod
ifIkeptquietaboutit.
TheBiblesayswemustghtagainsttheesh,and
peopleusuallyunderstandthistomeanoursexuality,
orperhapsexcessivefoodanddrink.Butthatisnot
theonlymeaningofthewordesh.Certainly,sexual
impurityandaluxuriouslifestyleareoftheesh,but
soistheego,andsoisspiritualprideandeverything
elseinusthatisnotofChrist.
WemustaskGodthattheeshinusparticularly
ourpride maydie.Ifweareproud,Godcannotcome
tous.Prideistheworstformoftheesh,becauseit
leavesnoroomintheheartforGod.
Jesuswarnsusverysharplyagainstfalsepietyagainst
wantingtobeseenbyothersasspiritualorgood.
Allwhowantsuchrecognitionwillndnorewardin
heaven.Inbeinghonoredbyotherstheyhavetheir
rewardalreadynow.Thesameappliestopeoplewho
dodeedsofloveandmakeashowofit.Christsays
thatthelefthandshouldnotknowwhattheright
handdoes.
Weallhavewithinusthedesiretobeliked,respected,
orhonoredforourgoodness.ButJesuswarnsus
againstthistemptationandsaysthatourpietyshould
notbeparadedbeforemen.Godseeswhatishidden,
andhewillrewardit.
Assoonaswefeelthatwearesomethingspecialor
thatwehavesomethingspecialtorepresenttoothers,
weareindangeroflosingeverythingwehavereceived
fromGod.Nomatterwhatwehaveexperiencedof
God,weourselvesarestillspirituallypoor.Thereisa
religioustruthinJesuswords,Woetotherich;woe
tothosewhohavemuch.Assoonasweholdtoour
Lk.6:24-25
ownrecognitionsoftruthinsteadoftothelivingGod,
ourreligiousexperiencewillbecomelikeacoldstone
inourhands.Eventhedeepestorrichestspiritualex-
periencewilldieifitbecomesathinginitself.
Fromaletter: Dearbrother,youhavebeenproudof
yourwork;youhavethoughtlittleofyourbrothers
andsisters,andyouhavelivedinfalsehumility,which
isthedeadliestformofspiritualpride.Thereisno
questionthatyouaregifted,thatyouarestrong,that
youaresmart,andthatyoucangetalotdone,but
thatisnottheissue.Wedonotlivetogetheronac-
countofthesegifts.Theyareallmortalandwillpass
Mt.5-7
Mt.11:18-19
away.Whatlastsforeverishumilityandlovelove,
theincorruptibletreasureinheavenofwhichJesus
speaksintheSermonontheMount.
WhenJohntheBaptistdidnoteat,thepeople
despisedhim,andwhenJesusateanddrank,they
despisedhimtoo.Lookingatonesbrothersandsisters
asifthroughamicroscopetondsomethingtocriti-
cizecanbringcompletedestructiontoacommunity.
Letusnotexpectofotherswhatwedonotexpectof
ourselves.
Fromaletter: Dearsister,turnawayfromyour
opinionatednessandyourneedtobeintheright.How
differentthingswouldbeifyouhadahumble,listen-
ingear.Whenwespeak,letusbeopentotheheartof
theother.Letussharewithoneanotherandlistento
oneanother.Ultimatelywehavetoseethatweareall
stumblingblocks.OnlyGodisgood.
Fromaletter: Yourwayofjudgingpeopletobeeither
greatorinsignicant,weakorstrong,iscompletely
unchristian.Doyouthinktheapostleswerestrong?
Theywerepoorinspirit.Peterwaswithoutdoubta
cowardwhenhedeniedJesusthreetimes,andhisstory
hasbeentoldthroughallthecenturies.Hewasnot
ashamedthathisbetrayalwasrecordedineachofthe
Gospels,eventhoughherepentedforithiswholelife
long.Youwanttobegreat;youwanttobestrong,but
byityoudoaninjusticetoyourbrothersandsisters.
WhenJesuscomesclosetopeople,helooksatwhat
isintheirhearts.Hehascompassionwiththesinner.
Buthenevercallssingood;hejudgesit.Youmust
cleanseyourheartofallcriticalthoughts,alljealousy,
andallhatred,andyoumuststopclassifyingpeople.
Ithinkofyouwithgreatlove.
Fromaletter: Donotfearthatyoucanneverbefreed
fromprideandenvy.Youcanbefreed.Butrstyou
mustseehowmuchgreaterJesusisthanallyoursins,
andthenhecantakethemaway.Askyourself,What
istherestillinmethathindersJesusfromoverwhelm-
ingmefully?ForJesustollyourheart,itmust
rstbeempty.ReadtheBeatitudes:theybeginwith
Mt.5:3-12 Blessedarethepoorinspirit.Thatmeansbecoming
completelyemptyandpowerlessbeforeJesus.
Fromaletter: Themoredeeplyyourecognizethat
yourpridecutsyouofffromGod,thedeeperthepeace
youwillnd.Theprideyouhaveinyourwealthof
knowledgeisyourgreatestenemy.Ifonlyyouwould
recognizehowpoorandmiserableyouactuallyare,
dearbrother,andhowwretchedyouareinyoursin!I
wishyoutruerepentance.
Fromaletter: Icannotsayitstronglyenough:your
spiritualpride yourlisteningtoGodsWordinorder
tobeexalted,insteadoftobejudgedandgivennew
lifeiscompletelyopposedtothewayofJesus.Give
upyourreligiousvanity.Itleadstodeath.
Fromaletter:Ibelievethatyourbondagetosinhasits
rootsinaterribleself-righteousnessandpride.When
youseelittlewrongsinothersyoufeelspirituallygreat.
Itshouldbetheotherwayaround.AsChristianswe
shouldbelowlyandrememberthatwhoeverisfor-
givenmuchlovesmuch.Prideisapoisonousrootthat
cf.Lk.7:47
drawslovetoitselfandawayfromJesusandourbroth-
ers.Ifwearehumble,therootwilldie,becauseitwill
ndnofoodandwaterinourhearts.
InPaulstimesomebelieversproclaimedChristout
Phil.1:15
ofjealousyandaquarrelsomespirit,notoutofgood-
will.Thiswasterrible,anditcameaboutbecausethey
wantedhumanhonor.Letusbecomehumbleand
recognizethatallhumanhonortakeshonorawayfrom
God,towhomaloneitbelongs.Letushonornoone
butGod,andletusneveraccepthonorforourselves.
WhatmattersisthatGodworksinus,inspiring
bothourwillanddeed.Forhimtodothiswemust
giveourselvestohimandgiveupallself-gloryand
honor.
Self
Thosewhosethoughtsturnonlyaroundthemselves
forgetthatChristianityhasanobjectivecontent.
Christianityisacauseforwhichapersonmustcom-
pletelyforgethimselfandhislittleego.
WhenweputourselvesinthecenterwemakeGod
outtobeverysmall.Itisimportanttorecognizethat
heexistsevenwithoutus.Hiscauseissoverymuch
greaterthanourexistence.Itiswonderfulifweare
usedforGodscause,butitwouldexistevenifwewere
notthere.
Thebestwaytoexperiencenothingistokeeplooking
intoyourself.Butthemoreyouareabletolookout-
wardandforgetyourself,themoreyoucanbechanged
byGod.Therearesomepeople(andIhavegreatpity
onthem)whoareinclinedtowatchthemselvescon-
stantly,asifinamirror,andbecauseofthistheyare
oftenunnecessarilytenseandcannothearwhatGodis
sayingtothem.
Wecannotredeemourselvesorbetterourselvesin
ourownstrength.Allwecandoistogiveourselves
completelytoGod.Whenwegiveourselvestohim
withoutreserve,hehelpsus.Thatisourfaith,ourbe-
lief,andourexperience.Self-redemptionisoutofthe
question,andherewemustrecognizethelimitations
1Cor.11:31
ofpsychologyandpsychiatry.Wedonotrejectthem
completely,buttheyarelimited.Godisfargreater.
Fromaletter: Ifyoulookatyourselfhonestlyyouwill
seepride,impurity,selshness,andallkindsofevil.
Dontlookatyourself.LooktoChrist.Thereyouwill
ndaperfectcharacter.
Fromaletter: Turnawayfromyourself,thefearof
yoursin,andyourfearofhavingpossiblysinned.
OpenyourselftoGodandhischurch.Heisnotso
unmercifulthatyouneedtoliveinconstantfear.
Youareinclinedtoanalyzeandjudgeyourselfina
waythatdoesnotfreeyou.Thereisasenseinwhich
judgingyourselfcanmakeyoufree:Paulsaysthathe
whojudgeshimselfwillnotbejudged.Butthereis
acertainself-judgmentwhichbringsterribledepres-
sionandleadsawayfromGod.Thedifferencelies
inwhetherornotyouhaveachildlikefaithinJesus
Christ,whowantstofreeusfromallsin.Judgeyour-
selfinthisfaithandtherewillbeablessingonit.The
wayyouarejudgingyourselfnowcouldmakeyou
mentallyillandevenleadtocompletedisaster.
Itmaybethatyouhaveastronginclinationtothis
orthatsin,butthistendencyistheretosomeextentin
everypersonandeverypersonhastodietoit.Every-
thingdependsonbelievingthatChristdiedforyour
sins.ReadHebrews5:79withachildlikeheart:
Heb.5:7-9 InthedaysofChristsearthlylifeheofferedup
prayersandpetitionswithloudcriesandtearsto
God,whowasabletodeliverhimfromthegrave.
Becauseofhishumblesubmission,hisprayerwas
heard:Sonthoughhewas,helearnedobedience
intheschoolofsuffering,and,onceperfected,
becamethesourceofeternalsalvationforallwho
obeyhim.
Ifyoureallybelievethis,youcanndhealing.
Fromaletter: IfwethinkofhowmuchJesusdoesfor
useachday,itshouldkeepusfaithfullyseekinghim
againandagain.Youfeelyouhavenothingtogive
Jesusinreturn.Butevenifyouhavetorecognizeyour
selshnessandyourlackoflove,Idonotthinkyour
depressionisright.TheearlyChristianssaidthatthere
isasorrowthatleadstoGodandasorrowthatleadsto
thedevil.Ifyouthinkdeeplyaboutthesewords,you
willturnfromalldepressionthathinderslove.
Fromaletter: Pleasegiveupyourwantingtobeloved.
ItistheoppositeofChristianity.TheprayerofSt.
Francissays,GrantthatImaynotsomuchseektobe
lovedastolove.Aslongasyouseektobeloved,you
willneverndpeace.Youwillalwaysndreasonsfor
envy,butitsrealrootisself-love.Itisyourwantingto
belovedthatisyourdownfall.Youcanchange;thereis
noreasonfordespair.Butyoumustlearntoloveyour
neighborasyourself.
Mt.5:8
Mt.5:27-29
Purity
Fromaletter: Jesussays,Blessedarethepureof
heart.Thisistheonlyanswertoyourquestionabout
relationshipsbetweenyoungmenandwomen.The
ghtagainsttheTemptergoesoneverywhere.Jesus
saysweshouldratherpluckoutaneyethanlooklust-
fullyatawoman.Onlythisattitudecangiveusapure
heart.Wecannotmakeourheartspurewithourown
efforts,butwecantakethisattitude,andthenGod
willhelpustovictory.
PurityofheartcomesasagiftfromGod,andthe
churchmustghttoprotectit.Weopposelustjust
asmuchasweopposeprivatepropertyandthespirit
ofmurder.PurityisGodswill,andeveryweddingin
thechurchmustbeatestimonytoit,asalsothelifeof
everymember.Purityisablessing.Whetheritisgiven
inamarriageortoasingleperson,agreatgracelies
onapurelife.
Wemustnotunderestimatethearmiesofimpure
spiritsthatdrivemantoevil.Whenweplaywith
impurity,weputourselvesunderthedominionof
demons,andoursexualitywhichismeanttobea
wonderfulexperienceofGodbecomesaterribleand
life-destroyingexperience.Thisistruenotonlyin
prostitution,butalsowhenapersonsatiseshimself
throughcommittingimpureactsonhisownbody.A
manshouldnotthinkhecanindulgeinmasturba-
tionwithoutsufferingharmfromit;hehurtsGod
andhimselfindoingso.Heallowsevilspiritstodwell
withinhimdevilsofwhosecruelcharacterhehasno
inklingandanatmosphereofevilwillcomefrom
him.
Theblatantimpurityshownontelevisionandin
magazinesandmoviesisapubliclycommittedcrime,
andwemustprotestit.Itruinsthesoulsofchildren
andyoungpeople.Everythinghasbecomepermissi-
ble onethinks,forinstance,ofhowhomosexualacts
havebeenlegalizedandithasdoneterricharmto
thepurityoftheyoung.Somethingintheconscience
ofmanhasbeenkilled.
Intheend,lustleadstomurderjustthinkofthe
limitlessnumbersofabortionsthathavetakenplace
sinceitbecamelegal.Andthinkofthementalagony
thatyounggirlsandwomensufferwhoareguiltyof
killingthechildintheirwomb.Thenumberofmental
breakdownsthatresultfromthisareincalculable.Jesus
istheonlyanswertoallthis,andwemustunitedly
testifytohiswayinaworldthathasgrownverydark.
Whenapersongratiessexualimpulsesonhisown
body,heharmshissoul,whichismadeinGodsim-
age.Itisdesecrationtoemploysomethingdestinedfor
asublimeendinamannercontrarytothatdestiny.In
thesamewaythatroyaltywouldbedebasedbybeing
enslaved,somandebaseshisnobledestinyasanimage
ofGodwhenheabuseshisownbodysexually.
Fromaletter: Dearbrother,itisnotnecessaryforyour
wholelifetobecrampedupinastruggleforpersonal
purity.Butyoumustgiveupallsecretattractionto
impurity.Thatiswhereyourinnercrampingcomes
from.Jesuscanfreeyoucompletelyofthis.Ifyou
knowyouareutterlydependentonhim,thenthereis
hopeforyou.
Fromaletter:Dearsister,itseemstomethatthereis
anatmosphereoferoticismaroundyou,andIwant
towarnyouaboutthis.Thereisnothingsurprising
aboutthefactthatthepowersoferoticismandsexare
problemsanypersonhastoface,andyouarenodiffer-
entfromanyoneelse.ButIpleadwithyoutovaluethe
giftofpuritythelightofabsolutechastityandvirgin-
ity.Donotletthesmallestshadowofanoverlycasual
relationshipwithboysormencomeintoyourlife,also
notinthewayyoudressorthewayyouwalk.Please
takethisadviceasfromsomeonewholovesyou.
Fromaletter: Dearbrother,yousayyouhavenot
resistedevil,especiallyintheareaofsex.Itisofgreat
importancethatyoutakeastandforJesussake.I
knowitisoftenhardtodo,especiallyatcollege.But
asthetimesbecomemoreandmorecorrupt,itwillbe
necessarytohaveastrongcharacterandsayNoto
thingswhichthegeneralpublicapprovesof.Iwishyou
thecouragetodothis.
Fromaletter: Youmustseekapureheart.Thenyou
willstopsinningwhenimpureimagesoryourimagi-
nationoranythingelsetemptsyou.
Yourecognizethatyoumustbreakawayfromthese
things,butyoualsoacknowledgethatyouwereplay-
ingaroundwiththem.Thatissinful.Apathyand
indifferencewillonlyweakenyourstandagainsttemp-
tation.Intheenditboilsdowntowhetherornotyour
lifeisfoundedonJesus.Youwillndapureheartonly
inhim.
Trust
WhyisitsohardtobelieveChristandtrusthim
completely?Christwantstogiveushislifeandspirit,
andifwelooktohimforonlyamoment,ourhearts
tellus:Hereisonewecantrust.Yeteachofusknows
feelingsoffearandanxiety.Somethinginusseeks
Christ,andatthesametimesomethinginuswantsto
serveselfandisunwillingtosurrendertohimcom-
pletely.Butthatiswhatwemustdo,fortheGospel
Jn.14:1 saystrustandbelieve.ItisnotenoughtogiveChrist
whatisgoodinus,ortogivehimoursins,ortobring
himourburdens.Hewantsourentireselves.Ifwedo
notgiveourselvestohimcompletelyifweholdonto
ourreservationswewillneverndthefullinnerfree-
domandpeacepromisedintheGospel.Wemustgive
Christourinnermostbeing.
Oftenthepowerofdarknessputsfearintoour
heartsandkeepsusfromfulldedicationtoGod.When
Jesussaidinthesynagogue,Unlessyoueatmyesh
Jn.6:53 anddrinkmyblood,youcanhavenolife,evenhis
followersfoundthesewordshardtoaccept,andmany
ofthemlefthim.ButwhenJesusaskedtheTwelve,
Jn.6:67-69 Willyoualsoleaveme?Peterresponded,Lord,to
whomshallwego?Youhavethewordsofeternallife.
Wehavefaith,andweknowthatyouaretheholyOne
ofGod.Suchfaithmustliveinustoo
inourhearts,oursouls,andourwholebeing.Itmust
becomearealityinusagainandagain:notareligious
system,notatheory,buttheknowledgethatwecan
trustJesuscompletelyandgivehimeverythingour
wholelivesforalleternity.Itisnotnecessaryforusto
understandeverythingintellectually.Itismuchmore
importanttoexperiencetrustandfaithinourhearts
andbeing.
ApartfromJesuswewillndnopeace.Whereheis,
thereisGod.Heisthereevenforthosewholeavehim,
asdidmanypeopleinhistimewhofoundhiswords
toodifculttoaccept.Thereforeweprayforourselves
andforthem,Lord,helpus.Comeintothisworld.
Weneedthee,thyesh,thyspirit,thydeathandlife,
andthymessageforthewholecreation.
Weshouldfearneitherourenemiesnortheslander
andpersecutionthatmaycometous.Weshouldtrust
inJesus.Hewasalsoslanderedandpersecuted.Wedo
notwantanythingbetter.Ifweturnincompletetrust
andlovetoJesus,Ifeelabsolutelysurethatwewillbe
keptunderthelovingprotectionofGod.
WemustbelieveandtrustthatJesusistheanswerto
allourperplexities,problems,andanxieties.Ihavenot
alwaystrustedJesusenough,butIrecognizemylackof
trustassin.Lifeisnotwithoutperplexitiesoranxiet-
ies.Yetweknowwheretoturn.Itisverysimple:ifyou
dontunderstandsomething,trustJesus.Thisisnot
alwayseasy;sometimesitcostsaninnerghttodoso
Jn.14:1 wholeheartedly.ButJesussays,TrustinGodandtrust
alsoinme.Thatistheonlyanswer.
Fromaletter: Iwouldadviseyounottopuzzletoo
muchaboutdifcultquestionsoffaith,suchaswhy
Godmightuseamanwhomhelovesasatoolofhis
wrath.WedonotknowenoughaboutGodslove.The
onlyanswertosuchquestionsiscomplete,uncondi-
tionaltrust.
Fromaletter: Evenwhenweareininnerneedwe
mustforgetourselvesandgiveourselvesindailyservice
tothosearoundus.ThenGodwillhelpus.Itisnot
necessarilygoodforustokeepontalkingaboutour
problemsortoshareourdifcultiesagainandagain.
Godknowswhatweneedbeforeweaskhim.Trustin
himlikeachild.Thenhewillhelpyou.
Ifwefeeltemptedtolosetrustineachotherbecause
ofstruggleswehavegonethrough,orforanyother
reason,wemustndinnerquiet.Wemusthavean
attitudeoftrustingdedicationtoJesusthatsays,not
mywill,butThywillandmakesusabsolutelyquiet
inwardly.Withoutthisstrengtheningtrust,Iperson-
allycouldnotgothroughoneday.TheBruderhofwill
passaway;wewillallpassaway;ultimately,Jesusalone
willbevictor.
Fromaletter: Iknowfrommothersoflittlechildren
thattheyaresometimesafraidoftheterriblethings
thatmayhappentotheirchildrenintodaysworld.
Icanputmyselfintheirshoesverywell.Myrst
childrenwerebornduringthebombingofEngland
inWorldWarII,whenbomberspassedoverusevery
night.Twicebombsdroppednearbyoneonour
land,andoneinthenextvillage.Butgreaterthanour
fearofbombswasourfearthatHitlerwouldconquer
England.Forusadultsthatwouldhavemeantdeath,
anditbroughtunspeakableinnerneedtomewhenI
thoughtaboutwhatwouldhappentoourchildren.
Wearenotlivinginfearofbombersnow,butour
timeis oneofgreatsufferinganddeath.Itisentirely
possiblethatmanyofus includingparentsoflittle
childrenmayonedayhavetosufferanddieforour
faith.Ibegyoufromthedepthsofmyhearttotrust
Godcompletely.Therearemanyfrighteningpassages
intheBible,especiallyintheRevelationofJohn.But
eventhereitsaysthatGodhimselfwillwipeawaythe
tearsofallthosewhohavesuffered.Wemustreally
Rev.21:4 believethatJesuscamenottobringjudgmentbutto
bringsalvation:
Godlovedtheworldsomuchthathegavehis
onlySon,thateveryonewhohasfaithinhim
maynotdiebuthaveeternallife.Itwasnotto
J.3:16-17 judgetheworldthatGodsenthisSonintothe
world,butthatthroughhimtheworldmightbe
saved.
HereweseetheindescribablelongingofGodtosave
humankind.AttheendweshallbeonewithGod.We
mustbelievethis,forourchildrentoo,evenifwehave
tosufferforJesussake.
Likesunshineoveravalley,Godsgreatlovespreads
outoverthewholeearth.Itistruethatthereareter-
riblethingsintheworld,suchaswar;andwarswill
come,butGodisgreater.Heismuchgreaterthan
man,andhisloveismuchgreaterthanmans.Donot
liveinfear.Lookdownacrossthevalleyandtoward
themountains,andthinkofthegreatGodwhocre-
atedallthings,andwhohasyouinhishand.
IfweliveaccordingtoJesusandhisteachings,we
havenoreasontobeafraid.Letusbefaithfultohim
andtoGodandleaveallfearbehind.
LearntotrustJesusalways,evenwhenyoucannot
understandsomething.Situationswilloftenarisein
lifewithoutyourunderstandingwhy.Theonly
answeristotrustJesus.
Youwillgothroughveryhardtimes,butneverfor-
getthatthenalvictoryisGods.Alwaysbelievethis.
Rev.21:1
Heavenandearthshallpassaway,butanewheaven
andaneweartharecoming.
Lk.5:8
1Jn.4:18
Mt.25:1-13
Mt.10:28
Reverence
WeshouldfearGod,andweshouldfearhurting
oroffendinganythingcreated,butweshouldnotbe
afraidofGod.TheBiblespeaksofthefearofGod,
butthereisadifferentfearthatleadsawayfromGod
andmakeslovegrowcold.Woetousifweconfusethe
rightfearwiththewrong.Ourfearshouldbebornof
loveandreverence.
WhenPeterrecognizedJesusastheSonofGodhe
said,Departfromme;Iamasinfulman.Hewas
afraidtobeconfrontedwiththepurityofJesus.Such
fearisright.Butfearthattakesawaytrustandcon-
denceordestroysoneschildlikenessiswrong.We
mustfearGodintherightway.
Fromaletter: Johnwritesthathewhohasfearis
notperfectinlove.Thishasgivenmemuchfoodfor
thought,becauseseveraloftheparablesofJesus,like
thatofthetenvirgins,couldmakeonefearful.The
BookofRevelation,too,canbefrightening.AndJesus
saysthateventhoughweshouldnotfearmenwhocan
killthebody,weshouldfearhimwhocandestroyboth
soulandbodyinhell.SothereisafearofGodthatis
Ex.20:7
Lk.2:25-39
rightandgood.Ultimately,ifweareinGodwewill
fearnothingbutGod.Thatistheperfectstatefora
Christian.
Wehavealwaysbeenreservedinusingthenameof
God,notonlybecauseourowninnerfeelingmakes
uscautiousbutbecausetheTenCommandmentssay:
YoushallnotusethenameoftheLordyourGodin
vain.Itisimportantforparentstoteachtheirchil-
drentorespectGodsothatmisusinghisnamewillnot
evencomeintoquestionforthem.
PeoplearesoterriblyinclinedtoforgetGodandhis
deedsoflove.Thatistheworstthingthatcanhappen
tohumankind.WhennooneisinterestedinGodany
longer whennoonewantstoknowabouthimortes-
tifytohimitisevenworsethanbeinghostiletoward
him,becausehostilityatleastshowsaninterest.
WeshouldbestimulatedbythestoryofSimeon
andAnna,whoexpectedtheMessiahonbehalfof
thewholepeopleofIsrael.Itdoesnotmatterifthere
areonlytwoforeventhentheearthhasnotentirely
forgottenGod.Weshouldbeeagertotestifytohim,
tolovehim,andtoexpecthiscoming.
Mt.19:21
Mt.8:22
Mt.4:19
Lk.4:20
Mt.19:25-26
Surrender
Despitethecircumstancesofourtimewemustbe
openandfreetoliveforGodswillforthefuturefor
brotherlycommunityandthekingdomofGod.We
mustbereadyandwillingtogiveupourresistanceto
God;thenhewillworkinusthroughhisHolySpirit.
Godisalwaysready,alwaysthere.Itiswewhoare
notreadyforhiscause.IfwewouldonlyyieldtoGods
authority,tothewayofJesus,andtothepowerofthe
Spirit,thentheamewhichgiveslighttothewhole
worldcouldbekindled.
WeknowJesuscommands:Leaveeverythingyou
have,andcomefollowme!Sellallyourpossessions.
Donotwaittoburyyourfather.Leaveyourshing
boatandyourtoolsandcomewithme!
Thedisciples,too,knewJesuscommands.They
alsoknewthateverymaneachinhisownwayis
richenoughtoresistthembyholdingonevento
thelittlehehas;totellJesus,Icannotcome.Thatis
whytheyasked,horried,Thenhowcananyonebe
saved?Jesusanswered,Itisimpossibleformen.But
withGodallthingsarepossible.
IfweopenourselvestoGodsworkingandgiveup
ourself-will,heisalwaysreadytogiveusfaithand
love.
Godwantsustoaskhimforhelp.Itisnotthathe
cannotordoesnotwanttoactwithoutourasking,but
hewaitsforustoopenourheartsandlivessothathe
andonlyhecanact.
ManypeopleponderwhyGodislikethis,whyhe
doesntforcehiswillonmen.ButthatishowGodis.
Hewaitsforourreadiness.Itistruethathepunishes
individualsandnationstocallthemtorepentance,
butheneverforceshisgoodnessonthem.Ifaparent
weretotakehischildbythethroatandforcehisgood
intentionsonhim,thechildwouldinstinctivelyfeel
thatthiswasnotlove.Forthesamereason,Goddoes
notforcehiswillonanyone.Soweareconfrontedby
amomentousquestion:Arewewillingtosurrender
ourselvestoGodvoluntarily?Arewewillingtoopen
thewindowsofourheartssothatGodinhisgoodness
canenterandtakeover?
WehavetogiveourselveswholeheartedlytoGod,and
ifwefail,wemustgiveourselvesagain.Weallneed
dailyforgivenessforoursinsandfailures.Butwhat
mattersiswhetherwewanttobefaithfulfaithfulto
theendofourlives.Thismeanssurrenderingevery-
thingourself-will,ourhopesforpersonalhappiness,
ourprivateproperty,evenourweaknessesandbeliev-
inginGodandinChrist.Thatisallthatisaskedof
anyone.Jesusdoesnotexpectperfection,buthewants
ustogiveourselveswholeheartedly.
Fromaletter: Whatistrueandunconditionalsur-
render?Apersonmayyieldtoastrongerperson,or
anarmytoastrongerarmy.OnemayyieldtoGod
becauseheisalmighty,orbecauseonefearshisjudg-
ment.Noneofthisisfullsurrender.Onlyifoneexpe-
riencesthatGodisgoodandthathealoneisgoodis
itpossibletosurrendertohimunconditionallyones
wholeheart,soul,andbeing.
WhenapersonhassurrenderedtoGodwithheart
andsoul,hewillthenseekothersinwhomthesame
loveisclearlyexpressedandsurrendertothemalso.
Buthecancommithimselftoothersonlyifhisrst
commitmentistoGod.
Fromaletter:Ifweeverfoundagroupevenifit
wereamuchsmallergroupthanourswherethelove
ofJesuswasexpressedmorefullyandclearlythanit
isamongus,Ihopeandbelievethatwewouldwant
tojointhem,evenifitmeantlosingourBruderhof
identity.
Fromaletter: Godmustleadustothepointwhere
werecognizehowwretchedandweakweareyes,how
poorinspiritandcompletelyhelpless.Whoeverfeels
eventheleastbitstrongmusthavehisweaknessre-
vealedtohim.WhenGodshowsushowwretchedand
poorweactuallyare,wefeelcompletelyhelplessbefore
him.Butthenhehelpsuswithhisgraceandstrength-
ensuswithhisunendinglove.Weareabsolutelyde-
pendentonGod,onChrist,andontheHolySpirit.
Thereisnootherhelp.
SurrenderingtothewillofJesusmeansbecomingone
withhimandwithoneanother.Jesusfoughtsohard
tosurrenderhiswilltotheFathersthathesweated
Lk.22:42
dropsofblood.Evilpowerssurroundedhimandtried
tocausehisdownfall,butheremainedfaithful:hisat-
titudewasThywill,notmywill.Thisshouldbeour
attitude,too,inallquestions,evenifwearepersecuted
forourfaith.Whateverhappens,imprisonmentor
evendeath,weshouldsay,Thywill,notmywill.
Submission
Jn.15:16
Christsays,Youdidnotchooseme;Ichoseyou.I
appointedyouandputyouinyourplace;youshall
goandbearfruit,fruitthatshalllast.Thisissovery
important:Iputyouinyourplace.*Howoftena
personcausesterribleharmwhenheisnotsatised
withhisplaceinlife.Suchdissatisfactionleadstoha-
tred.Weshouldloveoneanotherandaccepttheplace
Godhasgiveneachofus.
Mt.21:1-7
WhenJesussenttwodisciplestofetchadonkeyscolt
onPalmSunday,theyhadnoothertaskinthewhole
*Thisphrase,althoughomittedinmostEnglishversionsoftheBible,is
inseveralGermanones.SeeAlbrecht,DasNeueTestament(Giessen,1972,
10thed.).
Humility
2Cor.12:7-9
worldmoreimportantthanfetchingit.Ifsomeone
hadsaidtothem,Youarecalledtogreaterthings;
anyonecanfetchadonkey,andtheyhadnotdoneit,
theywouldhavebeendisobedient.Buttherewasnoth-
inggreaterforthematthatmomentthantofetchthe
donkeyforChrist.Formyselfandforeachindividual
Iwishthatwemightdoeverytask,greatorsmall,in
thisobedience.Thereisnothinggreaterthanobedi-
encetoChrist.
Jesuscallseachofustobehumble.Ifapersonseeks
humangreatness,Christiancommunityisnotthe
placeforhim.Anyoneofusmightbetemptedby
ambition,butwemusttakeanattitudeagainstsuch
temptation.
Fromaletter: Itisgoodtobeweak.Ourhumanweak-
nessisnohindrancetothekingdomofGod,aslong
aswedonotuseitasanexcuseforoursins.Read2
Corinthians12:79,wherePaulwritesthattheLord
willshowhimselfinthemostgloriouswaythrough
ourweakness.Certainlythisisnotthemostimportant
passageforthechurchasawhole,butitisperhapsthe
mostimportantpassageintheGospelasregardsper-
sonaldiscipleship.
Fromaletter: InreadingtheGospelofMark,Ihave
beenstruckbyhowJesusemphasizesourneedforhu-
mility.Hedidnotcometobeservedbuttoserveand
Mk.10:45 togivehislifeasaransomformany.Thismustbe
ourwaytoo,eventhoughweknowwefallveryshort
offulllingit.
Mt.5:3-12
TheBeatitudesdonotcallforgreatsaintswhoshine
intheworld,butforlowlypeople.
Fromaletter: Ifyouknowyouaresometimescritical
andlackhumility,thenseekhumility.Humilityisa
virtuethatonecandecidefor.Itsoftenstheheartand
makesapersonopenforGod.Criticismisnotneces-
sarilywrong;itcanbepositive.Butitcanalsobevery
destructive.
Weshouldnotthinktoomuchaboutoursmallhearts
orourweakcharacters.Nooneispureandgoodex-
ceptJesus.Hisistheonlyreallyhealthycharacter,and
inhisunendingmercy,hecanpurifyourheartsforhis
purpose.Letusgiveourselvestohimsohecanlead
usanduseusashewill.Letusturnourbackonthe
Gen.4:5
temptationofCain,whoenviedhisbrotherscloseness
toGod.LetusbejoyfulinsimplybelongingtoJesus,
andwillingtolethimplaceuswherewecanbearthe
mostfruittothegloryofGod.
Fromaletter: Ifweaccepttheweaknessandsmall-
nessofourlivesinawaythatleadsustohumility
beforeGod,wewillrecognizethatouronlyhelplies
incompletesurrendertohimanddependenceonhim.
Itmightbeaverypainfulrecognition,butthevictory
willbelife!
Phil.2:3
Paulsays,Theremustbenoroomforrivalryand
personalvanityamongyou.Hedoesnotonlymean
thevanityofwantingtolookbeautifulwhichisalso
unchristianbutthereligiousvanityofpeoplewho
wanttoshineamongmenandbehonoredbythem.
Thereshouldbenoroomforsuchvanityamongus.
Hecontinues,Youmusthumblyreckonothersbet-
terthanyourselves.Thatistheoppositeofwanting
tooutshineonesbrotherorsister.Ifwewanttofol-
lowJesus,howcanwewanttomakeourselvesgreator
Phil.2:8
important?Jesushumbledhimself,andinobedience
acceptedevendeathdeathonacross.
Sincerity
Howimportantitisthatourlifeisgenuineand
remainsgenuine,andthatwedonomorebutalso
nottheleastbitless thanGodrequiresofusatany
moment!Thereisadangerofcomingtoanintellec-
tualrecognitionofthetruthandthenlivingalifethat
conformstoit,whenthetruthisnotyetactuallygiven
byGodintoourheartsandsouls.
Letusneverusereligiouswordswhenwedonotmean
them.Ifwespeakadmiringlyaboutdiscipleshipbut
resistitsdemandsatthesametime,itwillharmour
soulandourinnerlife.Letusbereservedwithreli-
gioustermsandexpressionsoffaith.Usingthemwith-
outmeaningthemwilldestroyusandourhypocrisy
willbeespeciallydisastrousforourchildren.
Mt.6:5 Jesuswarnsussharplyagainsttryingtoappearde-
voutinotherpeopleseyes.Letusbegenuineandsay
whatwetrulythink,evenifweareoffthemark,rather
thanusetherightwordswithoutmeaningthem.
Fromaletter:AccordingtooldJewishtradition,the
highpriestusesthenameJehovahonlyonceayear
ontheDayofAtonementandthenonlyintheHoly
ofHoliesintheTemple.Forus,suchreverenceinthe
useofreligiouswordsisanimportantformofinner
chastity.WeareverycautiousinusingGodsname.
Fromaletter: Itisimportanttobestraightforwardand
honestaboutyourtruefeelings.Ratherbetoorude
thantoosmooth,toobluntthantookind.Rathersay
anunkindwordthatistruethanonethatisnicebut
untrue.Youcanalwaysbesorryforanunkindword,
buthypocrisycausespermanentharmunlessspecial
graceisgiven.
TheYouthMovement,inwhichourBruderhofmove-
menthasitsroots,wasmarkedbyasearchforwhat
wasgenuine,andtherewassomethingofJesusalivein
it.*Therstquestionpeopleaskedwasnotwhethera
thingwasright,good,ortrue,butwhetheritwasgen-
uine.Theypreferredtohavesomeoneinnocentlysay
somethingincorrectorawkwardthantohavetolisten
toinsincerereligiousspeeches.Theyrejectedparrotlike
religion;theystruggledtondthetruth.
Fromdeepwithinpeoplesheartstherearoseanew
*TheGermanYouthMovement,orJugendbewegung,awidespread
phenomenonoflooselyorganizedyouthgroups,wasactivemainlyfrom
1913-1933andrejectedtheestablishedconventionsofsocietyinfavorof
simplicity,freedom,genuineness,andaloveofnature.EberhardArnold,
whofoundedtheBruderhofin1920,wasanationally-knownwriter,
speaker,andleaderinthismovement.
Mt.25
Mt.24:48-49
approachtolife,anewfeelingforlifethatexpressed
itselfinmanyways.Thisinwardurgeledtofellowship
inhiking,singing,andfolkdancing,andevenincom-
munalsettlements.Agatheringaroundablazingre
becameadeeply-feltinnerexperience,andtherhyth-
micmovementofacircledancebroughttoexpression
somethingfromthedepthsoftheheart.Therewasan
efforttogiveshapeonlytowhatwastrulygenuine,
anditmeantrejectingallhumanpretense,including
fashion.Theinnerexperiencewasall-important,andit
foundvividexpressionineveryareaoflife.
Fromaletter: Itisnottheobvioussinnerwhostands
inthewayofGod.Godsgreatestenemiesarethose
whoreceiveandacceptChristscalltodiscipleshipbut
thendespitetheiruseofreligiouslanguagecontinue
toserveSatanatthesametime.
MostofJesusparablesdealwithsuchpeople,not
withpeopleoftheworld.ThetenvirginsinMatthew
25allgoouttoseektheBridegroom,butveofthem
fallasleep;andinMatthew24:4849theservantis
appointedbyhismasterbutbecomesunfaithful,and
soon.ThatiswhathindersGodskingdomthemost:
whenthosewhohaveheardhiscallandanswereditgo
ontoserveSatanwhilestillusingChristianwords.
IfwestayclosetoJesus,wewillndgenuinenessinits
clearestform.Howsharplyhespeaksagainstthepiety
thattriestocleansefromtheoutside!Howclearlyhe
Mt.23:26-28 tellsusthattheinsidemustrstbecleansed!
Ipraythatoutofhisgloriousricheshemay
strengthenyouwithpowerthroughhisspiritinyour
innerbeing,sothatChristmaydwellinyourhearts
throughfaith.AndIpraythatbeingrootedandes-
tablishedinloveyoumayhavepower,togetherwith
allthesaints,tograsphowwideandlongandhigh
anddeepistheloveofChristandtoknowthislove
thatsurpassesknowledgethatyoumaybelledto
themeasureofallthefullnessofGod.
Eph3:16-19
TheChurch
TheChurch
TheChurch....................................................... 89
Community....................................................... 96
Leadership......................................................... 106
Gifts.................................................................. 114
Forgiveness........................................................ 121
Unity................................................................. 128
ChurchDiscipline.............................................. 134
Baptism.............................................................. 141
TheLordsSupper.............................................. 147
LoveandMarriage ............................................. 151
FamilyLife......................................................... 169
IllnessandDeath ............................................... 188
EvilandDarkness .............................................. 197
TheFight........................................................... 205
WorldSuffering................................................. 217
Mission.............................................................. 226
TheChurch
Weknowhumankindistormentedanddivided.Part
ofthistormentisloneliness,whichcanbeovercome
onlybyexperiencingthelivingchurch.Thischurch
cannotbeidentiedwithaspecicgroupororganiza-
tion,butitdoesexist;itlivesandcomesdowntohum-
ble,seekingpeople.Thefactthatthechurchexistsis
themostimportantrealityonearth.WhenGodspeaks
intheinnermostchamberofourhearts,oursinful
separationandlonelinessareovercome;weexperience
innercommunitywithourbrothersandsisters.
Wecannotsaythatthechurchishereorthere.The
churchcomesdownfromheaventothosewhoare
spirituallypoor.Itcomestothosewhogiveupall
thingsforChristssake,includingtheirownideasand
rights.Thiscanhappenanywhere,andwhenitdoesit
alwaysbringspeopletogetherinunity.
AccordingtotheearlyChristians,thechurchex-
istedevenbeforecreation.ItexistsintheHolySpirit.
Christsendsthechurchwherevertwoorthreemeet
togetherinhisname andwherevertheygiveupall
rights,power,property,andselfforhim.
Whenweareaskedwhetherwearethechurch,we
havetosay,No,wearenotthechurch.Butwhen
weareaskedwhetherthechurchcomestous,wehave
totestifythatitdoes,especiallyifwearebrokenand
poorbeforeGod.Thepooreragroupisspiritually,the
closerthechurchcancometoit.Ourownideas,espe-
ciallytheideaofhavinginuenceorpoweroverother
people,mustbegivenupcompletely.Wemustbecome
poorasbeggarsbeforeGod.
Ifwespeakofthetruechurch,wecertainlydonot
meantheBruderhof.Wesimplymeanallthosewho
livetheirlivesinfullunitywithChrist.Onlythefruits
canshowwherethisis.
InthewritingsoftheearlyChristians,forinstance
inHermasTheShepherd, wendagainandagain
thethoughtthatthechurchexistedbeforeanything
wascreated.*Itisadeepandremarkablethoughta
completecontrasttotheideaofalittlecongregation
orevenagatheringofmillionsofpeoplecallingthem-
selvesthechurch.
WhenwespeakoftheBruderhofmovementasa
church,wecertainlydonotmeantoimplythatthisis
thechurch.Thechurchissomethingfargreater.Itgoes
backtothebeginningofallthings,beforethecreation
*EberhardArnold,ed.,TheEarlyChristians(Rifton,NY:Plough,1970),
p.278ff.
oftheworld.Butwelongthatitisatworktoday,also
amongus.
The16thcenturyAnabaptistPeterRiedemann
comparesthegatheringofbelieversinthechurchto
alantern.Alanternisofnouseunlessthereisalight
init.Thesameistrueforthechurch.Itmayholdall
goodsincommon,withnoprivateproperty;itmay
havelove,completededication,andtruecommunity.
Butthatdoesnotguaranteeitisalive.Thechurchisa
giftfromGod.Itcomestothespirituallypoor,andit
isunitedandenlivenedbytheHolySpirit.
Fromaletter: Inthishourofworldneedandworld
despairthereisnothingmoreimportantthanalife
ofbrotherhood,alifeofunityandlove.Itmaybeso
smallincomparisontothewholeofworldneedthatit
isalmostinvisible,butitwillhaveaneffect.
Peopletodaydonotneedlongsermonsorreligious
words;theyneedtobeshowndeedsandapractical
wayofdiscipleship.Ourtimeneedsthetangibledem-
onstrationthatGodisstrongerthanallhate,allneed,
allsin,andalldisunity.
Godneedsapeoplewhodevotetheirlivescom-
pletely,withoutreservation,tohiscause.Theyshould
bepeoplewhodonotconsidertheirownsalvationrst
butwhointercedeinprayerfortheneedsofmenand
hopeandbelieveinthevictoryofGod.
Acts4:32
1Cor12:12-27
Atruecommunitycannotexistforasingledaywith-
outthegiftoftheHolySpirit.Therefore,whetherin
ourbeingtogether,inoursilence,orinoursinging
together,weexpectandawaitthisgiftwhichGodhas
offeredusthroughthedeathofJesus.
Itissaidthattheearlychurchwasofoneheartand
onesoul.Itmaynothavebeenawell-organizedbody,
butitwasofoneheartandonesoul.Itsmemberswere
movedbytheSpiritfromabove,andthroughthis
movementitcameaboutthattheyheldeverything
incommon,andnoonecalledanythinghisown.It
wasnotamatterofcoldlawnotorganizedcommu-
nismbutamatterofmovedhearts.
Fromaletter: Itisnotwewhocanbuildbrother-
hoodnotwewhocanfoundachurchorchangeeven
asinglehumanbeing.Weareallcompletelydependent
ontheatmosphereorspiritofGodrulingamongus.
Yetatthesametimeweallhaveaninuenceonthis
atmosphere,andsoitistheresponsibilityofeachof
ustoseethatnospiritopposedtoGodisallowedto
comeintoourlives.
IfwearefaithfultoJesus,wewillalsobefaithfulto
oneanother.Webelongtooneanother.Ifsomeone
dedicateshimselftoJesus,hewillbeunitedwithother
believers,andtheywillbecomesounitedthattheyare
likeonebody.Inthehumanbody,ifanythingthreat-
enstheeye,thearmwillmovequicklytoprotectit,
evenifitisinjuredindoingso.Thishappensautomat-
ically,asifoutoflove.Itisthesameamongthosewho
dedicatethemselvestoChristandtoeachother.Each
shouldbewillingtosufferfortheother thestronger
onefortheweaker.
Fromaletter: InJesusandhisspiritweallbecome
one,evenonewiththechurchinheaven,withthe
apostlesandmartyrs,andwithallthosewhohavebeen
andareonewithJesus.Butifourloveshiftsawayfrom
Jesus,theRedeemerandSavioroftheworld,theneven
ourfaithinthechurchbecomesidolatry.
Itisaparadox:wemustseparateourselvesfromour
corruptgenerationandwecannotdothatsharply
enoughbutwemustalsounitewithChrist,whodied
foreveryindividualofthissamegeneration.Whatwe
asachurchneedmostistondthecruciedChrist,
theLambofGodwhodiedforthesinsoftheworld.If
weareunitedwithChrist,wewillnotbecold-hearted,
whethertowardagirlwhohashadanabortionorto
anyoneelsewhodoesanyotherevil;wewillhavecom-
passionatehearts.
Fromaletter: TheBruderhofhascertaincharacteris-
ticswhicharisepartlyfromitsEuropeanbackground
andotherhistoricalcircumstances.Thesameistrue
oftheChurchoftheBrethren,theQuakers,orother
religiousmovements.Icanwellunderstandthatpeople
feelacertainloveandattachmenttothecultureand,
stillmore,thepeopleoftheirbackground.
Butletusconsiderforamomentthecommunity
ofbelievers,theBodyofChristthathascontinued
throughallthecenturies.WhatistheBruderhof,then,
withitsculture?Whatevergoodtheremaybeinitis
thereonlyinsofarasitissurrenderedtoandgrippedby
thisstreamoflife.TheBruderhofmovementwillpass
awayasmanymovementshavepassedaway,butthe
streamoflifeofwhichitisapartcanneverpassaway.
Thatiswhatmatters.
IfwehadmadeupourmindstobeaChristian
communityofGermanculture,servingonlythose
peoplewithabackgroundintheYouthMovement,we
wouldhavebeenindangerofdryingupevenbefore
webegan.Wewanttosurrenderourlivescompletely
andallowourselvestobeusedwhereverGodmoves
peopleshearts,tobeopentowhateverGodgivesus.
Otherwiseweareindangeroflimitingthetruth.
Weareonlyaweakcircleofhumanbeingsoften
alltoohuman.Butourtaskcanneverbelimited.God
islimitless.
TheolderIget,thelessimportanttheBruderhofisto
me.ThemainthingisthatGodsprayingchurchexists
onthisearth.Itisforthisthatwewanttogiveour-
Mt.25:1-13
Jn.17:21
selves,andforthisthatwewanttolive.
Weneedtofeelacertaininnerurgency;wecannot
letlifepassbywithoutgivingourselvescompletely
tothechurch.ThechurchwaswithGodbeforethe
worldwascreated,anditisnowwithGodinheavenas
theupperchurch,thecloudofwitnessesfromevery
nation,tribe,andrace.Wecannotstandundecided
beforethisholyreality.
Fromaletter: Areweasachurchsodedicated,so
fulloftruthandsalt,thatweareabletoinuencethe
wholeearthinthewaythatevenapinchofsaltavors
awholedishoffood?Itisnotenoughtolivetogether
incommunity,toloveoneanotherandmakeeach
otherhappy;tomakejamforourneighbor,whothen
makesjamforherneighbor.Moreisdemanded.
Ibelievethatwearelivingintheendtime.Itis
acrucialhour.Everythingdependsonwhetherour
lampsaretrimmed,whetherwearereadytomeetthe
Bridegroom.JesusfarewellwordsintheGospelof
Johnmakeitclear:thechurchmustbesounitedthat
theworldcanrecognizeGodastheFatherwhosent
Jesus.Itshakesmetothedepthsofmyhearttoask,
Arewereallyshowingthistotheworld?
Mt.19:21
Mt.6:19-20
Community
Wemustgiveupallprivatepropertyandallthirst
forcollectingthingsforourselves.Theenjoymentof
wealthforoneself,onesfamily,orevenonescommu-
nityleadstoinnerdeath.Wealthbringsaboutdeath
becauseitisolatestheheartfromGodandfromones
fellowman.Weseekananswertothisinsharingevery-
thinginawaythatmakesitimpossibletofallintothe
sinofcollectivewealth.Ourdoorisopentoeveryone
whoseeksGodandthetruth.Underthestewardship
ofthechurch,everythingisavailabletoanybodyin
need.
ThewayofJesusmeanscompletepossessionlessness!
Wehavechosenthisway,andourchildrenmustknow
thatfromanearlyage.Theyshouldknowthatour
moneybelongstoGodandnottous.Jesussayswe
shouldnotstoreuptreasureforourselvesonearth,but
seekourtreasureinheaven.
Fromaletter: Youask,Howcanwe,asseparateper-
sonsandfamilies,becomepartofeachother?Thishas
Lk.14:33
Jn.16:13
Acts2:44
Acts4:32-34
1Cor.12:25-26
2Cor.8:13-15
Acts4:33
tobegivenbythespiritofJesus.Butrstwemustbe
completelyemptiedofourownideas,ideals,andbe-
ing;wemustbetherefullyforJesusandhisspirit.
Fromaletter: Thereisnosubstitutefortheactual
experienceofChristiancommunity,themovementof
Godsspirit,andtheunityofbelieversinthechurch.
SoIwritethisrealizingthatwordscannevercontain
thespiritofGodslove,whichmovesamongthose
whoaresurrenderedtohiminallthings.
Inanswertoyourquestionaboutthescripturalbasis
forourlife,thereisLuke14:33,whereChriststates
clearlythatonlythosewhorenounceallthattheyhave
canbehisdisciples.ThereisalsoJohn16:13,which
saysthatwhenthespiritoftruthcomes,hewillguide
menintoalltruth.ThisoccurredatPentecost,when
thediscipleswereofoneheartandonesoulandheld
alltheirgoodsincommon.Seealso1Corinthians12,
especiallyverses2526.Wendithardtotakethis
passageatfullvalueinnon-communalchurchlife.The
sameistrueof2Corinthians8:1315.
AtPentecostloveoverowedfromtheheartsof
thosewhoweremovedbytheSpirit:thebelieverswere
fullofloveforGodandforoneanother.Idontthink
youwoulddenythatgreatgracewasuponthemall
whenthishappened.Communityofgoodswasthe
outcomeofthisloveandgrace.Thiscommunionof
loveisafarcryfromtheChristianityoftoday,when,
forinstance,peoplethankfullytestifyintheirchurch
paperthatsincetheyhavestartedtithing,Godhas
madetheirbusinessprosperinawonderfulway.
Itwouldbemisrepresentingthefactstosaythatthe
mainfoundationofourbeliefisthesharingofmoney
andpossessions.Thatisanoutcomeofourfaith,not
itsfoundation.ItisthefruitoffullsurrendertoChrist
andhislove.WegivebackeverythingGodhasgiven
us ourpossessions,ourtalents,andourlivestobe
controlledbyhimandhisspiritalone.
Inanswertoyourquestionwhetherthiswillhelp
winsoulstoChrist,wewouldsayno.Simplysharing
goodsdoesnotnecessarilyleadtoChrist.Butwhen
itistheresultofoverowinglove,itcanleadtohim.
ManyofusattheBruderhofcomefromunchristian
backgrounds.Itwastheliving-outofbrotherhoodand
lovethatattractedus.Weweretiredofwords;theyare
cheapandcanbeheardalmostanywhere,forwhowill
saythatheisagainstbrotherhoodandlove?Wedid
notseekwords,butdeeds;notstones,butbread.That
iswhatChristofferedanewlifewhereloverules
everything,indeedandintruth.
Youaskhowmuchopportunityaconverthasto
spreadtherealGospel,nottheBruderhofgospel.
WhatdoyoumeanbytheGospel?Whatdoesthe
goodnewsmeanifitdoesntmeanthatthereisaway
otherthanthewayofdeathanddespairthatrulesthis
presentworld?Whatisitifitisntthenewsthatmen
canlivetogetherasbrothersinpeace,infulltrustand
lovetooneanother,andaschildrenofoneFather?The
Gospelisnotonlywords;itstandsfordeedandtruth,
Mt.7:16-18
Jn.13:35
Mt.7:21
forthewholewayoflifeChristhasbrought.Itisthe
expressionofalivingexperience.Ourchallengeisnot
tojointheBruderhof,buttoliveinbrotherhood.We
donotwishtoaddanythingtotheGospel,butwefeel
stronglythatnothingcanbetakenawayfromit,and
thatwemustfaceeverydemanditmakesuponus.
Youaskwhetherweasacommunityneedtoisolate
ourselvesinordertobeintheworldbutnotofit.We
liveapartonlyinthesenseofseparatingourselvesfrom
theevilrootofself-interest,greed,andinjustice
fromallthatislovelessinthepresentworldorder.So-
cietyisbasicallynodifferenttodaythanitwasinJesus
time.Menarestillself-centered,proud,andeagerfor
theirowngain,power,andposition.Thefruitsofthis
evilpervadesocietyinmanyforms:impurity,hatred,
alcoholism,poverty,juveniledelinquency,mentalill-
ness,violentcrime,andnallywar.Thesearethefruits
ofmammon,thefruitsofanunchristiansociety,the
fruitsofthepresentworldorder.Thisistheworldout
ofwhichChristcalledandstillcallsus.Hecallsusout
ofitandbringsustogethertobuildthecityofGod,
wheretheSpiritalonerulestobuildthecityonahill,
whichcannotbehiddenbutshinesintotheworld.
TheGospelstellusthatwewillknowatreeora
personoragroupbyitsfruits,foragoodtreecan-
notproduceevilfruitandaneviltreecannotproduce
goodfruit.ThefruitsofalifebasedonChristarenot
justpreachingorspeaking.Itisourdeedsthatare
important.Christsaidallmenwouldknowwearehis
disciplesbyourloveforoneanothernotbyourtalk
aboutlovingoneanother.Hislastprayerwasforthe
Jn.17:21
unityofhisdisciples:Maytheyallbeone,evenas
thou,Father,artinme,andIinthee;maytheyalso
beinus,sotheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsent
me.Sothechurchshouldbevisibleintheworld.The
lightfromtheunitedbodyofbelieversmustshineinto
thedarknessoftheworldtothegloryofGod.
Youask,Ifwedenyourselvesenoughtowalk
Christsway,cantweliveasensiblelifeamidstour
fellowmenoutsideanorganizationofbrothers?You
mustanswerthisforyourself.Weareherebecause
wefoundthatasensiblelifewasnotenoughthat
Christaskedmoreofus.Hewantsthewholeperson.
Wearenotanorganizationofbrothersbutsimply
agroupofpeoplewhoseektoliveclosertoGod.We
wanttotakeChristswordsintheSermononthe
Mountliterallyandbemeasuredandjudgedbythem.
Wecanonlyrespondtothemfullybysurrenderingour
livestohiswillinthefaiththathewillleadustotruth.
Fromaletter: Ourcommunallifeisaconstant
struggle:wemustcontinuallyghttobreakawayfrom
everythingthatseparatesusfromGodandfromour
brothersandsisters.Thisbreakingawaythisdyingto
ourselvescanbeamostpainfulexperience.Webe-
lievethatonehundredpercentisdemandedofus;all
prideandself-willmustgo,andthewholeframework
oflifeandthoughtinwhichwehavetriedtondsecu-
rity.Thisdoesnthappenwithasuddenburstoflight,
butonlygradually.Aswelivetogetherwerecognize
thatcertainthingsbringseparation:pride,self-pity,
andfalsepiety.Wemustturnawayfromtheseevilsas
theyareshowntous.Wewillalwaysremainweak,but
ourjoyisinndingasourceofstrengththatcanbe
victoriousineverystruggle.
Fromaletter: Itisagreatgifttolivewithbrothers
andsisters.WhenGodsloveburnsinusandwelds
ustogethertopersevereinsolidarity,nodifcultyor
struggleistoogreat.Itisarelieftoknowthatthelife
ofdiscipleshipisneversomethingmerelylearnednot
eventhroughhardandpainfulstruggle.Rather,itis
acontinuallynewexperienceofgrace.Whatadeep
paradox! TheGodofAbraham,ofIsaac,andofJacob
isalwaysthesame,yethealonefreesusfrommonoto-
nyandlaw.Inhimeverythingisnew.
Wemustalwaysbeawareofthedangerofmaterial-
ismtheruleofmoneyoranythingelsematerialover
ourheartandsoul.Jesussaid,Youcannotservetwo
Mt.6:24 masters.YoucannotserveGodandmammon.Inand
ofthemselvesmaterialthingsarenottheenemy;they
arepartoflife.Buttheyshouldbeusedforthetasksof
thechurch.Ultimatelyitisaquestionofourattitude.
Thedegenerationofthesoulmakesitpossibleforany-
thingmaterialtoruinalife.Butifapersonsrelation-
shipwithJesusandthechurchisalive,hewillbeable
tousematerialthingswithoutbeingruledbythem.
Fromaletter: Wearenotinterestedinwinningany-
onewithsmoothwords.Ourwayofcommunallife
ismuchtoodemanding.Todaywehavehouse,home,
work,anddailybread.ButasthehistoryoftheAna-
baptists,Quakers,andmanyotherradicalmovements
hasshownus,wedonotknowwhatwillhappen
tomorrow.
OneenormousdangertothelifelivedinGod,wheth-
erwithincommunityornot,ismoneymammon.
Jesussaysquiteclearly,Whereyourtreasureis,there
Mt.6:21
isyourheart.TheearlyChristianprophetHermas
speaksofthedangerofowningelds,houses,and
anythingelseofearthlyvalue.Hecriesout:Foolish,
double-minded,wretchedman,doyounotrealizethat
allthesethingsdonotbelongtoyou,thattheyare
underapoweralientoyournature?*Inspiteofthe
factthatweliveincommunityofgoodsandshareone
purse,thedangerofmammonstillexists.Jesussaysof
Lk.9:58
himself:Thebirdshavenests,thefoxeshaveholes;
buttheSonofManhasnowheretolayhishead.
*EberhardArnold,ed.,TheEarlyChristians(Rifton,NY:Plough,1970),
p.285.
Canonebindoneselftoagroupofpeople?Whenour
novicestaketheirvowsweaskthem,Areyoureadyto
surrenderyourselfunreservedlytoGod,toChrist,and
tothebrothers?Thequestionhereisnotsurrender
toGodorChrist,butwhetheronecanbindoneself
toagroupofpeople.Ihavebeenthinkingaboutthe
meaningofthededicationspokenofhere;thissurren-
dertoGod,toChrist,andtobrothersandsisters.We
knowtheFirstCommandmenthavenoothergods
Mt.22:39
beforeGodandweknowChristscommandtolove
1Jn.4:20 ourneighborasourselves.Wealsoknowthathewho
sayshelovesGodbuthateshisbrotherisaliar.Sowe
cannotseparateourcommitmenttoGodfromcom-
mitmenttothoseofourfellowmenwhoalsowantto
followGod.
Ontheotherhand,itisdangeroustocommitone-
selfwithoutreservationtoanyone;tocommitoneself,
asitsayshere,tothebrothers.Whathappensifthose
brothersgowrong,eveninasubtleway?Aftertherst
andsecondgenerationsreligiousgroupsmaybecome
rigidoncertainpoints.Theymaybecomelegalistic
aboutcertainthingswhichseemright,andthrough
thistheirinnerlifeissuppressed.
Ifweseethisdanger,therealquestionis,How
canwebindourselvestooneanotherinspiteofit?
TheanswercanbefoundonlyinfaithintheSpirit
Christsspirit.Thereisnootheranswer.
Fromaletter: Iamgratefulthatyouhaveopenlycon-
fessedyournegativethoughtsandfeelingstowardoth-
ermembersofthechurch.Godisstrongerthanlikes
anddislikes.Hegivesusloveandhegivesuscommu-
nity,wherelikesanddislikesareovercome.
Fromaletter: HowwellIunderstandthatyouare
disappointedinourcommunity.I,too,shudderwhen
Ithinkofallthathashappenedinourhistory.Yet
ultimatelyitisnottoacommunityorachurchthat
wehavegivenourlives,eventhoughwevowtobe
faithfultoourbrothersandsisters.ItistoJesusthatwe
havesurrenderedourselves.Heexperiencedbetrayal.
Heexperiencedabandonmentbyallhisdisciples.He
experiencedgodforsakenness.AndstilltheFathers
willwasmoreimportanttohimthananythingelse.
SoIholdrmlytothatandchallengeyoualsotohold
Mt.12:30 rmlytoit.InthishourwhentheEnemyhasscattered
somany,wemusttakeJesuswordstoheart:Hewho
doesnotgatherwithme,scatters.Mywishistoprove
myfaithfulnesstoJesusandtomybrothersandsisters
bygatheringwiththem.
Ifwewanttoliveinchurchcommunitywemustdo
itforthesakeofGodalone.Otherwise,evenwiththe
bestwill,wewillbelikeparasitesontheinnerlifeof
thechurch.Evenifweworkmorehoursthanother
members,evenifweproducemoreincomethanoth-
ers,oureffortswilllielikeaheavyweightontherestof
thecommunity.Wehaveanopendoorforallpeople,
butwealsoexpecteachonewhowantstostaywithus
toacceptthechallengeoffulldiscipleship.Otherwise
ourcommunitywillgotopieces.
Ourwitnesstoalifeofcompletecommunityto
thefactthatJesusgathersandunitesmenisfully
inkeepingwithhiswordsandhisnature.Butcom-
munityitselfisnotdecisive;thedecisivethingislove.
Communityofwork,communityofgoods,andthe
communityofthecommontableareonlyfruitsof
thislove.
Fromaletter: WearealwaysthankfulwhenGod
strengthensourcommunitybygivingusnewmem-
bers,butwedonotwanttomakememberswith
smoothwordsortrytoconvinceanyonetojoinusby
makingagoodimpression.Communallifebringstoo
muchpainandneed,andonecannotstandthetest
ofitsstrugglesifonedoesnottrustwhollyinGods
strength.Wedonothavethestrengthinourselves:
Godisthesourceofourstrength.
Leadership
AtrueChristianchurchcannotbealivingorganism
unlessthereisclearleadership.Theshipofcommunity
needsahelmsmantoguideit,andhemustlethim-
selfbeguidedfromaboveindeephumilityandmust
honorandrespectthebrotherhoodheleads.Beingled
fromabovemeanslisteningtothevoiceoftheHoly
Spiritasitspeakstothechurchasawhole.Aleader
mustnotisolatehimself.Throughclosecooperation
withallmembers,aperfectlycleardirectioninallmat-
terscanbefound.Thisistrueforallmattersoffaith,
allpracticalthings,andfortheoverallinnerattitudeof
thechurch.
Anytrueservicedoneforthechurchincludingthe
serviceofleadershipisdoneasbyanorganofthe
body,anditmustthereforebedonelovingly,sincerely,
honestly,andinachildlikeway.Someonewhocarries
aresponsibilityisnohigherthansomeonewhodoes
not:nooneishigher,andnooneislower.Weareall
membersofonebody.
Trueleadershipmeansservice,soitisaterriblething
touseitasapositionofpoweroverothers.Whensuch
abuseofleadershiptakesplaceinachurchcommunity,
itisespeciallydevilish,becausebrothersandsistersgive
themselvesvoluntarily,trustingly,andopenheartedly
tothechurch.Inadictatorialstate,peoplemightyield
toagreaterpowereventhoughtheirsoulsrejectitas
evil.Butinabrotherhoodofbelievers,wheremembers
trusttheirleaders,themisuseofpowerisrealsoul-
murder.
Whenweaskbrotherstoleadthechurch,wemust
askGodthatmuchisgiventothem.Butwemust
alsoletthembethemselvesasGodmadethem.They
shouldnotbepresumptuous;theyshouldexpressonly
whatisgiventhembyGod.Wedonotexpectmore.
Itwouldbedisastrousifanyoneweretofeelhimself
pushedintoarolethatwasnotgenuinelyhis.Wedo
notexpectsomeonewhoismeanttobeaneartobe
aneye.
Whenwespeakabouttheauthorityofleadersinthe
church,itshouldbeveryclearthatwenevermeanau-
thorityoverpeople.Jesusgavehisdisciplesauthority,
buthegavethemauthorityoverspiritsnotpeople.In
thesameway,thoseofusappointedtoleadthechurch
aregivenauthority,butnotoverpeople.Itisalltoo
easytoforgetthis.Wemustseekforhumilityagain
andagain.
Acts10:26
2Tim.3:10-11
2Tim.4:7,17
Lk.12:48
AservantoftheWord*isalwaysindangerofteaching
somethingfalseorsuppressingsomethingofthetruth.
Ihaveagreatfearofthis,andIaskyoutointercedefor
usallinprayer.Paulcouldsaythathehadneglected
nothinganddoneeverythinginhisdutyasanapostle
ofthechurch.Thisstrikesmeverydeeply.Praythat
everyservantoftheWordmaybringthewholeGospel
afreshtothechurchagainandagain,withouttwisting
orchanginganythingwhatsoever.
Jesusclearlysaysthattowhommuchisgiven,ofhim
muchwillbedemanded.AservantoftheWordmust
realizethatmorewillbedemandedofhimthanofoth-
ers.Thereisnoprivilegeinhistask.
Aleaderofthechurchshouldcertainlybeadmon-
ishedifsomeonefeelshehasdonewrong.Iremember
howthankfulIwasyearsagowhenabrothertook
measideafteramembersmeetingIhadexploded
atsomeone andaskedme,Areyoureallysureyour
angerwasoftheHolySpirit?Ihadtoadmitthatit
wasnot,andsoIcalledthemeetingtogetheragainand
setitstraight.IfyoufeelthatIoranyoneismisusing
hispositionofauthority,pleasedomethefavorof
pointingitout.
*ServantoftheWord:Pastor,minister;brotherchosenbyunanimous
approvaltoservethemembersofaBruderhofbycaringfortheirinner
andouterwell-being.ThetermreectstheHutterianbeliefthatauthentic
leadershipinChristiancommunitymeansservice.
Wedonotwantabrotherhoodthatisboundtoa
man.Ifearnothingmorethanaserviceinthechurch
whetherteaching,counseling,orwhateverthatbinds
someoneemotionallytoanotherperson.Itisterrible,
andIwanttohavenothingtodowithit.Wemustbe
boundtogetherinChrist.
ThereisnothingIhatemorethanhumanbeings
havingpoweroverthesoulsandbodiesofothers,espe-
ciallyinChristiancommunity.Ihavevowedtomyself
toghtthiseviluntiltheendofmylife,andifanyone
canpointouttomewhereIhaveusedpowerovera
humanbeingevenwithoutmyknowledgeIwant
torepentdeeplyforit.Personalpoweristhegreatest
enemyofalivingchurch.
Mt.18:3-4 Jesusputachildintohisdisciplesmidstandsaid,
Unlessyouchangeandbecomelikelittlechildren,
youwillneverenterthekingdomofheaven.There-
forewhoeverhumbleshimselflikethischildisthe
greatestinthekingdomofheaven.Hereweseethat
Jesuslovesthechildlikespirit.Thisshouldalsobetrue
amongus.Inamarriage,bothhusbandandwifemust
wanttobetheleast.Andinchurchcommunity,each
memberwhetherelderorstewardorwhoevermust
alsowanttobetheleast.Thatisourgoal.
Speakingthetruth,whichisataskofaleaderofthe
church,isnotagiftgivenonlytoespeciallyclever
andsuperiormen.Ifitwere,mostpeoplewouldhave
reasontofearbeingadiscipleofJesusoraleaderin
thechurch.Itisnotmansintellectthatisreceptiveto
thetruth;itishischildlikespirit.Jesussays,Become
Mt.18:3
likeachildonlythenwillyoubeabletoenterGods
kingdom.Thechildlikespiritisandremainsspirit,
andbecauseofthatitisauthorityandrevelation.The
Mt.11:25
realizationthatthetruthisrevealedonlytochildren
andtothesimple-heartediscrucialinthedisciple-
shipofJesus.
Fromaletter: Iwassothankfulforyourconcernabout
ourlastmembersmeeting.Somuchwasatstake,and
yetwelostourselvesintrivialtalk.TheleadershipI
shouldhavegivenaseldermusthavebeenlacking.
Thereisalwaysatension:onedoesnotwanttodictate,
butifeveryonejusttalksashepleasesitisnotgood
either,forthenGodsspiritcannotspeak.
Someonewhoisgivenspecialresponsibilitiesbythe
churchforexample,aservantoftheWord,house-
mother,steward,workdistributor,orshopforeman
willeitherservewithhumilityorlorditoverothers
asiftheywerehissubjects.Thisisadangerforadults
whoworkwithchildrentoo.Thereisaninclination
ineachofustowanttobegreat.Andevenifitisa
Jn.21:15-17
smallinclinationperhapssomeonetendstobeabit
bossyitisthebeginningofamuchgreaterevilthat
willintheendbringmuchsuffering.
Itisunbelievablewhatheartachecanresultwhen
someoneinapositionofresponsibilityletshisauthor-
itybefeltandtreatshisbrothersandsistersassubjects.
IfaservantoftheWordisbossy,ittakesacertain
couragetorisksomethingandprotest.ButIwishall
membersthatcourage.NoonebutJesusisourmaster,
andweareallbrothers.
Leadersofachurchhavenorightswhatsoeveroverthe
soulsentrustedtothem.ConsiderhowJesusentrusted
hisocktoPeter.Hedidnotgivehimanyrightsover
thelambs.Heonlyasked,Doyouloveme?And
thenhesaid,Feedmysheep.Itisaterriblesinreally
nothinglessthanmurderwhensomeoneentrusted
withapastoralservicethinkshehastherighttogovern
souls.Thisalsoappliestothosewhocareforchildren.
Iwantnothingtodowithhumanhonor.Iaskyou
nevertohonoraperson,whoeverhemaybe,butonly
Christinhim.Wedenouncethehonoringofmen,
becauseitleadstosectarianism.Inasecttheleader
thinksheisgreat,butthatisahorribledelusion.We
wanttohonorChristinourbrothersandsisters;we
wanttoloveoneanotherChristcommandedusto.
Butwerejecttheideaofhumangreatness,whichis
foolishnessbeforeGod.
Welongdeeplyforallotherpowersandspirits
toyield,andforourbelovedJesustolayhispierced
handsovereachofus.Welongforhimtobewith
usall,andwelongtobereadytoservehim.Weask
foreverythingsupercialinusandeverythingthat
mighthinderorfrightenustomeltaway.Wewantto
acknowledgetherulershipofJesusalone.Yes,every-
thingisinhishands:heistheruleroverallpowersand
principalities,theheadofthechurch,andthevineof
whichweareonlybranches.
TherevelationofChristdoesnottolerateanyhuman
lightnexttoit.Ifthereishumanlightprideand
presumptioninanyservantoftheWord,itmustbe
extinguished.OnlythelightofJesusshouldrulein
thechurch.Goddoesnotneedhumanlight.Heneeds
menandwomenwhowaitinthedarknessforhis
light,whohungerfortruthandthirstforlivingwater.
IfsomeonepreachestheGospeltohisowncreditand
doesnotacknowledgethatwithoutGodhecando
nothing,heisathief.HestealsthewordsofJesusand
usesthemforhisownglory.
Jn.15:4
Neitheranindividualnoracommunitycanbearfruit
withoutbeingunitedwithJesus.Onceapersonhas
decidedtofollowJesus,hebecomesabranchonthe
vineandcannotliveforhimselfanymore.Toseparate
andisolateoneselfoutofprideandself-gloryisthe
wayofthedevil,anditendsindeath.Foreverymem-
berofthechurch,butespeciallyforitsleaders,my
wishisthattheymightdwellinJesus,andstillmore,
thatJesusmightdwellinthem.
Mt.25:31-46
Gifts
Fromaletter: Neverforgetthatanactoflovetoones
fellowmanistheonlyimportantactoftheday.Ev-
erythingelseisofnovaluebeforeGodandmayeven
tearusfromhimorseparateusfromourbrothers.
HowstronglyJesusimpressesthisonourheartsinhis
propheciesabouttheLastJudgment!Thequestionis
neverwhetherwearewell-organizedoractcorrectly,
butwhetherwefeedthehungry,takeinstrangers,
clothethenaked,orvisitthosewhoaresickorin
prisoninotherwords,whetherweactoutofloveand
compassion.Letusneverpassbytheneedofanother
orforgetthewordsandactionsthatstrengthenlove.
Justasnoonehassofewgiftsthathecannotbe
movedbyGod,noonehassomanygiftsthatheistoo
goodtodosimplemanualwork.Wemustbewilling
todoanyserviceaskedofus,toserveinthehumblest
place.Amanmaybethemostgiftedpersoninhis
community,butifhelackshumility,ifhisheartisnot
movedbythespiritofJesus,hislifewillbeunfruitful.
Mt.25:14-30
1Cor.12:8-10
Mt.25:24-30
Theparableofthetalentsisperhapsbestunderstood
inthecontextofthechurch:thetalentsaregiftsgiven
todifferentbrothersandsisters.Onepersonreceives
thegiftofwisdom,anotherknowledge,anotherfaith,
healing,prophecy,discernment,speakingintongues,
orinterpretation.Thesegiftsareallrequiredforthe
varioustasksofthechurch,fromleadershiptoany
other.Thereisnodifferenceintheirimportance;they
allarepartsofonebody.Theeyeisnomoreimportant
thantheear theysimplyaretwodifferentorgans.
Somepeoplewouldliketoseenodifferences.They
thinkthatifeveryonewerethesamenoonewould
knowwhowaswho,andthentruejusticewouldbe
established.ButthatisnottheGospelofJesus.In
Matthew25,wereadofamanwhowasgivenonly
onetalent.Thismanfelthehadnotbeengivenhis
fairshare,andsohehatedhismaster.Hedidnothing
withhistalentbuthardenedhisheart.Henotonly
lackedlove,hewaslledwithhatred.Hesaid,Mas-
ter,Iknewyoutobeahardman.Thatistheworst
thingthatcanhappentous:tofeelwehavenotbeen
givenourfairshare;tofeelthatothershavereceived
morefromGod;andthentobecomesoenviousand
lovelesssoseparatedfromtheBodythatwedonot
contributetoitinanywayatall.Themasterinthe
parablesaid,Youshouldhaveatleastputthemoney
inthebank.Hemeant,Doatleastthelittleyouare
abletodo.
Mt.25:18
1Cor.12-13
Onepersonisbrilliant,anotherdeftwithhishands,
anotherverymusical.Thesearenaturalgifts,andthey
shouldnotbeburied,thoughforthecommongood
ofthechurchtheyoftenhavetobesacriced.Itwould
bewrongifsomeonewithintellectualgiftsthoughthe
coulddoonlyintellectualworkotherwisehewould
beburyinghistalentsorifaverymusicalperson
thoughtshewaswastinghertalentbydoingmenial
work.Wemustbewillingtosacriceournaturaltal-
entsforthesakeofthewholeBody.
Fromaletter: Youwritethatyouarenotverygifted.
Thatdoesnotmatter.Noonehassofewgiftsthathe
cannotbemovedbyGod.Whatmattersisthatyou
usethegiftsyoudo possess thattheyarebroughtinto
movementbyGod.Itisneveralackofgiftsthatisthe
problem,butalackofreadinesstobeusedbyGod.
In1Corinthians12and13,theapostlePaulspeaksof
manydifferentgifts,includingprophecy,leadership,
healing,andspeakingintongues.Butthenhesays
thatallthesegreatgiftsarenothingwithoutlove.Our
communallifeisagifttoo,butunlessGodgivesus
loveoverandoveragain,itwillbecomeaslifelessasa
machine.
Thegiftofdiscernmentofspiritsisvitalforaliving
church,butitmustbegivenbyGod.Itisnotahu-
Mt.13:24-30
Mt.13:29
Acts2:4
mangift.Whenweasindividualsoragrouptolerate
amixtureofspiritsinourmidst,welosecontactwith
thespiritofGod,evenifwethinkwearebeingbroad-
minded.
Ontheotherhand,wemustguardagainstghting
impureorfalsespiritswithhumanzealandcorrecting
orcriticizingoneanotheroutoffearthatsomething
falsemightenterthechurch.Wemustrecognizethe
importanceofdiscerningspirits,yetwemustalsorec-
ognizethatitisnohelptoseparatetheminahuman
way.
Theparableofthewheatandweedsgrowingto-
getherinoneeldshowshowwecancauseharmby
attemptingtocleantheeldourselves.Thedisciples
werefullofzeal,butJesuswarnedthemtobecareful,
saying,Wait,lestingatheringtheweedsyourootup
thewheatalongwiththem.Thereisalwaysthedan-
gerofcorrectingtoomuch,ofadmonishingeachother
toomuch.Theonlyanswerisforustobemoredepen-
dentonGod.
ThegiftofspeakingintongueswasgrantedatPen-
tecostthroughtheoutpouringoftheHolySpirit.It
wasdenitelyadivineandholyexperience,andwe
shouldhavedeepreverenceforit.Ibelievethattoday,
too,suchholyexperiencesmaybegiven.Butwemust
guardagainstthespiritoferror.
Peoplespeaktoolightlyaboutbeinglledwiththe
SpiritandpossessinggiftsoftheSpirit.Theseterms
areoftenappliedtospeakingintongues,butinthe
NewTestamentthesephrasesareusedinthatconnec-
tiononlyinafewinstances.Inmanyotherinstances
thereisnomentionoftongues.Whowoulddaretosay
thatonecannotbelledwiththeHolySpiritwithout
theevidenceoftongues?ThirtyyearsbeforePentecost,
Lk.1:41,67 ElizabethandZechariahwerelledwiththeHoly
Spirit.Andtherehavebeenmillionsofinstancessince
thenwhenpeoplewhodidnotspeakintongueswere
broughttosalvation.
Intheearlychurch,speakingintongueswasclosely
relatedtorepentance.Jesusstartedhismissionwitha
calltorepentance,andtheapostlePeter,too,beganhis
missionwiththewords,Repentandbebaptizedfor
Acts2:38
theforgivenessofyoursins.Ifwehavenothonestly
repentedandbelievedinJesusChrist,thenwehave
notreceivedtheHolySpirit.Unfortunately,thereis
alackofrepentanceinmanyoftodaysmovements
whichseespeakingintonguesasbeinglledwiththe
Spirit.
ItisunwisetoequatethereceivingoftheHoly
Spiritwiththepouring-outofparticularemotions.
AsifthatweretheonlywaytheSpiritworked!His
indwellingdoesnotdependonouremotions,but
onourunionwithChrist,whichisaccomplishedby
Godthroughourfaithinhim.Thebiblicalconditions
forreceivingtheHolySpiritarerepentance,faithin
Christ,andtheremissionorforgivenessofoursins.
Acts2
1Cor.12
1Cor.13
Mt.6:6
1Cor12-13
Fromaletter: Wemusthavereverenceforthegiftof
speakingintonguesasdescribedinActs2and1Cor-
inthians12.Butitisfalseandunhealthytomakea
teachingorreligionoutofsuchagift.In1Corinthians
13wearetoldtoaskforthehighergiftsoffaith,hope,
andlove,ofwhichthegreatestislove.
ThegiftofloveleadstoJesusChrist,tocommunity,
tooutreach,andtomission;itdoesnotleadtotalking
aboutourownspiritualgifts.Ifwearelledwithlove,
wemaywellspeakintongues,butweneednottalk
aboutit.Jesussays,Gointoyourroom,lockthedoor,
andpraytoGodinheaven.ThenyourFather,who
seeswhatisdoneinsecret,willrewardyou.
Thecharismaticmovement,whichlayssomuch
emphasisonspeakingintongues,isbasedonfalse
teachingsthatbringdivision;itbringshonorandglory
tomenratherthantoGod.Ifsomeonecametome
andsaidhecouldspeakintongues,Iwouldadvisehim
nottotalkaboutitbutrathertoshowthefruitsofthe
SpiritasdescribedintheSermonontheMount.Jesus
didnotteachustospeakintonguesbuttorefrain
frommakingashowofourreligionandtogotheway
ofhumility,love,andunity.
IfweaskGodforthegiftsofprophecy,healing,and
othergiftsdescribedin1Corinthians12and13,we
needtobewatchfulofwantingtoreceivehonorfor
havingthem.Weshouldnotaskforthesegiftsforour-
selves,butonlyonbehalfofthewholeBodyofChrist
onearth.Forourselvesweoughttoaskfor
purehearts,wisdom,faith,hope,andlove;formore
patienceandmorecompassion.
Itisnotthedevelopmentofmanthatwillchangethe
courseofhumanhistoryonlytheinterventionofthe
livingGodinmenslives.Whenhehastouchedus,we
mayhopeforachangeofheartandsoulandforthe
SpiritandthekingdomofGodtocome.TheSpirit
bringsthejoyofGod:joyinlove,joyinsharingwith
brothersandsisters,joyinpurerelationshipsbetween
menandwomen,andjoyinjusticeandpeaceamong
racesandnations.Ofourselvesweremainpoor,help-
less,andtormented.Butwemustbelievethatthejoy
ofGodandhiskingdomcanchangeearthandheaven!
Forgiveness
Itshouldbequiteoutofthequestionforanyoneto
cometoprayerwithouthavingforgivenhisbrother,
hisneighbor,orevenhisenemy.Jesusclearlysays,
Mt.6:15 Hewhodoesnotforgivewillnotbeforgiven.We
cannotchangeoneiotaofthistruth.Theonlywayto
ndinnerpeaceinChrististhroughpeacewithones
brothers.Unforgivingthoughtsleadtoseparation,and
separationbringsinnerharmandleadstodeath.Com-
pletepeacedemandscompletehonesty.Wecanlivein
peacewithourbrothersonlyifwecarrythetruthin
ourheartsandarehonestinourlove.
Fromaletter: Trueforgivenessofsinsispossibleonly
Eph.1:7
inJesus.Intheworldpeopleforgiveoneanothers
Col.1:14
sins,butwithoutJesus,whichisnohelp.Atthetime
oftheReformation,theCatholicChurch,which
hadtremendousinuenceoverpeople,forgavesins
throughthesaleofindulgences.Today,psychologists
andpsychiatristsforgivesin.Theytellpeople,You
havenotsinned;yourbehaviorisquitenormal;there
isnothingwrongwithit.Youdontneedtohaveabad
conscience;youcanthelpit.Thatishowtheworld
forgivessin.
Mt.5:23-24
Mt.6:15
Mt.18:18
ThingsgowronginchurchesandChristiancommu-
nitiesbecauseJesuswordsaboutmakingpeacewith
oneanotherbeforebringingagifttothealtararenot
takenseriouslyanymore.Jesushimselfsaidthis,and
ashisfollowersweareentrustedwithwitnessingtohis
words.Tousthismeansweshouldnotcometoprayer
orpartakeoftheLordsSupperunlessthereiscom-
pletepeaceamongus.Toooftenithappensthatthings
areleftunresolvedwhenpeoplepraytogether.But
communallifewillnotendurelikethat,andneither
willmarriage.Wemustclearthingsupandforgiveone
anotheragainandagain.
Ifweholdagrudgeagainstsomeone,thedoortoGod
willbeclosed.Itwillbeabsolutelyclosed,withnoway
tohim.Onlyifweforgiveotherswillwebeforgiven.
Iamsurethatmanyprayersarenotheardbecausethe
personprayinghasagrudgeagainstsomeone,evenif
heisnotawareofit.Jesussaysmorethanoncethat
beforewepraywemustforgive.IfwewantJesus,we
musthaveaforgivingheart.
Justasitdidinthetimeoftheapostles,thechurchof
JesusChristhastheauthoritytorepresenthiskingdom
today.Ithastheauthoritytolooseandtobind,to
forgiveandtoleaveunforgiven.Withouttheforgive-
nessofsinnoconsciencecanlive,andwithoutitno
Mt.6:14-15
Jas.5:16
Rev.1:5-6
onecanenterthekingdomofGod.Butunlesswerst
forgiveothers,wecannotreceiveforgiveness.
IntheLetterofJameswereadthatweshouldconfess
oursinstooneanothersothattheymaybeforgiven.
ButthisispossibleonlyifJesuslivesinus.Without
himthereisnoforgiveness.
Unlessforgivenessofsinsisspokenoutincom-
munionwithJesus,throughhisHolySpirit,itmeans
nothing.ItisJesuswhopromisesthathewillforgive
usatthelastjudgment,anditishewhowillalsoover-
comedemonsanddevilsonthatday.Weourselves
cannotovercomeevil,evenifwelivetogetherinbroth-
erhood,evenifweareburnedasmartyrs.UnlessJesus
livesinusandweinhim,oureffortsareallinvain.
ThewordsTohimwholovesusandhasfreedus
fromoursins . . . begloryandpowerforeverandever
indicatethatitisnotwewhocanforgivesins.Forgive-
nessofsinsispossibleonlythroughChrist,wholoves
usandfreesuswithhislifesblood.
Wepronounceforgivenessofsinsintheunited
church,yetthisforgivenessdescendsfromheaven
weourselveshavenoauthoritywhatsoever.Nothing
humancantakeover.Thegraceofthecrossmustbe
present.
Asaburningcandleconsumesitselfandgiveslight,
sothelightoftherisenChristshinesouttousthrough
hisdeath.WhenChristarisesinuswhentheSun
comesupnightisovercomebyday.Soitiswiththe
forgivenessofsins.Wemustexperiencewhatitmeans
tobeburdenedwithsinandthenfreed.Thenwewill
seehowthesunofChristshinesanewthroughthe
forgivenessofsins.
Theredeemingpowerofforgiveness,whichisinJesus
alone,mustremainthecenterofthelivingchurchand
ofourexpectationforthewholeworld.
Forgivenessmeanspersonalredemptionandfreeing,
butitmustalwaysbeseeninthegreatercontextofre-
demptionforthewholeworld.Weshouldexpectitto
bringthekingdomofpeacetowholenationsandtoall
men.Thisexpectation,whichcanbefoundonevery
pageoftheNewTestament,isfromJesus.Itmustbe
aliveinussothatitisnotjustsomethingwebelievein
butsomethingthatburnsinourhearts.
BecauseJesusdiedforus,hisbloodspeakslouderthan
thebloodofAbel,whosymbolizestheinnocentman
whohasbeenslain.InJesusevenamurderercannd
forgiveness.ThebloodofJesusspeakslouderthanthe
accusingbloodshedbythehandofman.
Col.3:15
Jn.14:27
Resentment
Lk.23:46
WehaveChristswonderfulpromisethatifweforgive
wewillbeforgiven.Certainlywealsohavehissharp
warningthatifwedonotforgivewewillnotbeforgiv-
en.Letuslookatoneanotherwithneweyesandsee
eachotherasagiftfromGod,evenifweknoweach
othersweaknesses.
PaulwritestotheColossiansthattheyarecalledto
liveinthepeaceofChristasmembersofonebody.It
isnotenoughtofeelthepeaceofGodaroundusit
shouldreigninourhearts.Thesoulofmangroansfor
peace.ThereforeJesussaidtohisdisciplesonhislast
evening,Igiveyoumypeace.Itisnotpeacesuchas
theworldgives.
Bynaturewearenotatpeace;wearedivided.But
wearecalledtondreconciliationwithGodinJesus.
Heoffersusforgivenessofsinssothatwemaynd
unityandpeacewithhimandwithoneanother.Itis
notenoughtoseekpeaceforourselves,forourown
souls.WemustseekitforthewholeBodyandulti-
matelyforthewholecreation.
Fromaletter: EveryseriousChristianmustgo
throughhoursofgodforsakenness;evenJesushimself
did.Theonlyanswerinsuchhoursis:Father,intothy
handsIcommitmyspirit.Ifwegiveourselvesuncon-
ditionallytotheFather,hewillshowustheway.But
nothingwillbeshowntohimwhodoesnotforgive
hisbrother.Godwillnothavemercyonhim,andhe
willremaingodforsakenaslongashecontinuesinhis
hatredandunforgiveness.
Fromaletter: Berminyourrejectionofalltouchi-
nessandanythingelsethatdestroyslove.Beloved
brotherandsister,youarenottheonlyoneswhocould
ndreasontobetouchy.Iamhatedandaccusedby
many;yetifIgaveintoresentment,thedoorofprayer
toGodwouldbeclosedtome.Godhearsonlythose
whoforgive.
Fromaletter: Ifeelpainedthatatyouryoungageyou
havetoundergosuchdifcultstruggles.Butdonot
blameyourtroublesonyourfather.ThroughAdam
weareallunderthecurseofsinanddeathandcan-
notndnewlifeorpurityofheartexceptthroughthe
bloodofChrist.Thatisthesameforyouasformeand
foranyotherhumanbeing.HoldontoJesus.
Fromaletter: Youarecynicalaboutthedeception
thathasbeenrevealedamongus.Yes,itisterribleso
terriblethatitcouldtearonecompletelyapart.But
youareonlyaddingsintosinifyoubecomebitter.
Ps.22
ReadPsalm22;considerwhathappenedtoJesusand
howhereactedtomockery,contempt,andbetrayal.
Itdidnotmakehimcynical.
Fromaletter: Youaskforforgivenessforyourenvy
andhatred.Wepersonallywillgladlyforgiveyou.
Buttheforgivenessofthewholebrotherhood,which
meanstherenewalofunitywithJesusandhischurch,
cannotbegivenuntilyouturnfullyawayfromyour
sin.
Wearenotangrywithyou,butwecannotpro-
nounceforgivenessonbehalfofthebrotherhoodfor
yoursinfulattitudeuntilyouproveyourrepentance
moredeeply.Thismayhavealreadybegun.Ifso,con-
tinueinthatdirection.Godisgood,andhewillnot
rejectyou.Thebrotherhoodlovesyou,too,andwill
notrejectyoueither.Butwecannotunitewithyouas
longasthereisenvyandhatredinyou.
Fromaletter: Youwrotethatitwasimpossiblefor
youtoworkbecauseyouweresoupsetaboutthehurt
donetoyou.Yourresentmentmustcometolightand
beovercome.Ultimately,thewrongsotherpeoplehave
donetoyoucannotseparateyoufromGod;onlythe
wrongsyoudotoothers.Thisisofutmostimportance:
allhurtandbitternessmustbeovercome.
Fromaletter: Holdrmtohopeandfaith,anddeep
joywillllyourheartandhealyourwoundsjoythat
willovercomeallfearandpessimism.Afterall,weare
calledtoawayofjoyjoyinGodandinoneanother,
forinthedeepestsenselovemeansjoy.
Unity
Mt.23:37
InMatthew23:37Jesussays,HowoftenhaveIwant-
edtogatheryoutomeasahengathersherchicks,
andyouwouldnot. Thisplea,alongwiththepleain
Jn.17:21
JesuslastprayerMaytheyallbeone,Father,evenas
Iamonewiththeeisadecisiveandconstantchal-
lengetous.Itcallsustoawayofcompletebrotherly
loveandonenessinJesus,anditcallsustofollowhim
inunitysothattheworldmayrecognizewearehis
disciples.
Nothingbindsorunitespeoplemoredeeplythan
havingthesamehope,thesamefaith,thesamejoy
andexpectation.Itisverysad,therefore,whenindi-
vidualbelieversstandalone.Therehavealwaysbeen
peoplewhohadtostandaloneonaccountoftheir
faithsomeoftheminprison,foryears.Butwhere
thereistrueexpectation,peopleareusuallydrawn
together;theircommonfaithleadstocommunity,and
theycanstrengthenandencourageoneanother.Stand-
ingforGodalwayshasaunifyingpower.Letuspray
thatwemaybegatheredtogetherwithallthosewho
liveinexpectationofhim.
Mt.22:37-39
Jn.14-17
Fromaletter: Jesusrstcommandmentistolove
Godwithallourheart,soul,andbeing,andthento
loveourneighborasourselves.Inthisindividualistic
agemorethanever,achurchofpeoplecommitted
tooneanotherinsuchloveandfaithfulnessisanab-
solutenecessity.Jesusstressestheimportanceoflove
andabsoluteunityunitysuchashehaswiththe
Father againandagain.Idonotthinkwehaveever
reachedthisultimatestateofunity,eveninourholiest
moments;onlyGodknows.Yetwewanttoliveasa
witnesstoit.WecannotseparatededicationtoJesus
fromdedicationtoourbrothersandsisters.
Fromaletter:ItistruethatJesuscanbeservedany-
where.Butwhataspecialgiftitiswhenthroughhim
twoorthreeormorepeoplebecomeofoneheartand
onesoul! Thiscannotbemanufactured;itisagift.
Goddoesnotcontradicthimself.Hedoesnotsayto
one,Thoushaltgotowar,andtoanother,Thou
shaltnotgotowar;ortoone,Thoushaltbefaithful
inmarriage,andtotheother,Thouartfreetodi-
vorce.IfweareopentothetruthifwelistentoGod
inourheartswewillndthathesaysthesamething
toall,alsoinpracticalmatters.Wedonotbelievein
theruleofamajorityoveraminority.Webelievein
theunanimitybroughtaboutbyChrist,whowants
tospeakthesametruthineveryheart.Thisunityisa
graceandamiracleweexperienceagainandagain.But
ifweareunfaithfultoGodandtoeachother,itcanbe
takenfromus.
Theunityofallbelieversistheonlycriterionfortruth.
Whentrueunityislacking,charismathepowerofin-
dividualpersonsorpersonalitiesoverotherstakesits
place.Peoplelisteninahumanwaytoothersmerely
becausetheyarestrongpersonalitiesorleaders.Charis-
maisnotonlythewrongfoundationforcommunity;
itisaltogetherdangerousground.
Areligiousgroupcanndahealthyinnerlifeonly
ifitsmembersndunityagainandagainwiththe
SpiritandwithGod.Onlythencantheconscienceof
eachoneliveandthrive,andonlythencantrueuna-
nimitybeachieved.
Itisimmaterialwhereunityislived.Theimportant
thingisthatitis livedsomewhere.
Manypeopletodayseekreligiousexperiencesorchar-
ismaticgiftslikespeakingintongues.Butthereisa
dangerthatinseekingthesegiftspeoplemissthemain
messageoftheGospel:unityinlove.Whathelpwould
itbetohumankindifthousandsandtensofthousands
ofpeoplespokeintonguesbuthadnoloveandunity?
OurfaithinJesusChristunitesusasbrothersand
sistersandurgesustocallotherstofollowhimwith
us.Wedothisinabsolutepovertyofspirititisnot
thatwewanttomakemoremembers.Butwedofeel
Mt.12:30 urgedtocallotherstounity.TheHolySpiritdoesnot
scatter;itunites.
Theattempttoreconciledifferentchurchesandcon-
fessionsiswithoutanydoubtgood.Buttrueunity
theunitythatbreaksdownallbarriersstartswithre-
Acts2:37 pentance.WhentheHolySpiritcamedownatPente-
cost,peopleasked,Brothers,whatshallwedo?They
weredeeplystruckintheirhearts,andtheyrepented
fortheirsinsandbecameofoneheartandonesoul.
Unfortunately,intodaysecumenicalmovementbar-
riersorfencesoftenremain,andpeopleshakehands
overthem.Butwemusttestifytothepossibilityof
trueunityamongmen.Itcomesonlythroughrepen-
tanceandthroughpersonallyfacingJesusasman,as
livingspirit,andasLord.
Fromaletter:Theecumenicalmovementtendsto
resolvedifferencesbymakingconcessions.Concessions
taketheplaceofrepentance,deepreconciliation,and
theunanimitythatgrowsasthefruitofrepentance,
andintheendseriousevilsareoftensmearedover.
Amerelyemotionalfeelingofunityisnotenough.
Inourcommunitieswepromisetospeakopenlyto
oneanotherwhenthereareproblemstoadmonish
eachotherandtoacceptadmonition.Wheneverwe
avoidthisbrotherlyhonestybecausewefeartheconse-
quencesitmighthave,ourunityisnolongerareality.
Godswillisdeed,andwemustliveaccordingtoit
withdeeds.Whenwedothis,Christcanbringabout
atrulyunitedchurch,puriedbytheHolySpirit.We
willnolongernursefeelingsagainstothers,andwe
willbecomeofoneheartandonesoul,asintheearly
Church.
Mt.12:33
Jesussaidmorethanoncethatatreeisrecognized
Lk.6:44
byitsfruits.Wemustneverforgetthis.Allofus
canseewhatkindoftreetodayssocietyis:itsfruits
aremurder,injustice,impurity,unfaithfulness,and
destruction.
WhatwerethefruitsJesuswantedtosee?Therst
fruitisunity.Howelseshalltheworldrecognizehis
Jn.17:21
disciples?Jesussaid,Maytheyallbeone,Father,even
asweareone.
Howcanweshowthefruitsofunityandremaina
partoftodayssociety?Itisimpossible:societyisruled
bymammon,thespiritofthisworld,whichisaliar
Jn.8:44
andamurdererfromthebeginning.Itisrulednotby
thespiritofunitybutbythespiritsofdisintegration,
destruction,andseparation.Trueunitycanbefound
onlyinalifeofbrotherhood.
IsitnottruethatChristdemandsthesurrenderof
thewholemantohisneworder?Thetimeisurgent.
Letuscometoatruesenseofresponsibility!Letus
gatherwithChristandunitewithhimasbrancheson
thetreeoflife!
InabrotherhoodruledbytheHolySpiritonecansee
manyaspectsofJesus,justasoneseesdifferentcolors
inarainbow.Eachofusisdifferent,butGodcreated
us,andweshouldnottrytobesomethingthatweare
not.Weshouldgiveourheart,soul,andbeingtoJesus
andlethimdowithuswhathewants.Thenourlives
willndtruefulllment,andwewillloveeachother
asweare,withourdifferencesevenournationaldif-
ferences.ThesameJesusisexpressedineverybrother
andsister.
ChurchDiscipline
InourBruderhofcommunitieseachmembermakes
acovenantwithGodatbaptismandpromisesnever
againtosinwillfullyagainsthim.Ifafterbaptism
someonedoessinwillfullyagainstGod,hemustun-
dergochurchdisciplineinordertomakeacompletely
newbeginning.
Thesmallsinsweallcommiteverydaycanbefor-
giventhroughourdailyprayer.Ifthesinsareworse,
theycanbeforgiventhroughconfession.Jamessays,
Jas.5:16
Confessyoursinstooneanother,andprayforone
another,andthenyouwillbehealed.Formoreseri-
oussins,churchdisciplineisnecessary.
Disciplineiscarriedoutonlyattherequestofthe
personconcerned.Insomecasesapersonmaybe
excludedfromcommonprayerandfrommembers
meetingsuntilhehasrepentedandisforgiven.Inoth-
ers,apersonisputintothesmallexclusion.This
meansthathemaynottakepartincommonprayer
andshouldnotbegiventhegreetingofpeace,though
hemaystillparticipateinthedailylifeofthecom-
munity.Ifanevengraversiniscommitted,thechurch
mayusethegreatexclusion.Inthiscase,apersonis
pronouncedcutofffromthekingdomofGod,andhe
1Cor.5:1-5
Heb.12:15
maytakenopartinthecommunallifeofthechurch
untilhehasfoundarepentantheart.
Whensomeonehastorepentofanespeciallydark,
willfullycommittedsin,weusePaulswords,Igive
youovertoSatanforthedestructionofyoureshand
thesalvationofyoursoul.Paulwasspeakingofaman
wholivedwithhisfatherswife,yetevenaftersucha
sinhebelievedthatexclusioncouldleadtothesalva-
tionofthismanssoul.Wealsobelieveandhaveex-
periencedit thatthroughdisciplinepeoplewhohave
sinnedcanndfullrepentanceandfullforgivenessand
canbecometruebrothersandsistersagain.
Paulwarnedtheearlychurchtoletnobitterweed
growuptopoisonthewhole.Ifthiswarningwasgiven
totheearliestbelievers,thenitsurelyappliestoustoo.
Thatisonereasonweusechurchdiscipline:sothatno
poisonmaydestroythechurch.Anotherreasonisto
givethepersonwhoisdisciplinedachancetobegin
anew,tondforgivenessofsins,andtopurifyhisor
herlife.
Wecanexcludeabrotherorsisteronlyifwerecog-
nizethatthesininourownheartsmustbejudgedas
well.Churchdisciplineisnotcarriedouttojudgea
person,buttoseparatetheevilinapersonfromthe
church.Thishastohappenagainandagaininour
ownhearts.
Whenbrothersandsistersacceptchurchdiscipline,
itshouldremindusofthegraceofrepentance.Ifthey
reallyrepent,theydosomethingforthewholechurch
infact,forthewholeworldbecauseevilisovercome
byJesus.Inthissensewemusthavedeeprespectand
reverenceforthosewhoaredisciplined,becausewe
knowthatweneedGodsmercyandcompassionour-
selves.
Wemustbeverycarefulnottoloadontoaperson
evenonemilligrammorethanhisactualguilt.We
shouldbethankfulthatrepentanceandreconciliation
withGodispossibleforthoseexcluded,forus,andfor
allhumankind.
Churchdisciplineisavictoryoflightoverdarkness;
itisthebeginningofhealinginaperson.Ifitisaccept-
edinthissense theonlytruesenseitisagrace.
Ibelievethatthequestionofexclusionandreaccep-
tance asindeedofchurchdisciplinealtogetheris
closelyconnectedwithJesus,thelovingandredeem-
ingSaviorwhobearsthesinsofthewholeworld.He
accepteddeathonthecrosssothatallmenwouldbe
giventhepossibilityofndingreconciliationwithGod
againandagain.Thisreconciliationcannotbesepa-
ratedfromtheforgivenessofsins.
Thewholequestionofchurchdisciplineissome-
thingthathasbecomeblurredorsoftenedinChris-
tendomtoday.ButitisnotamatteroftheBruderhof s
pointofviewversustheviewofChristianityingen-
Mt.18:15-20
eral.Ourunderstandingofchurchdisciplineisbased
whollyonthewordsofJesusandhisapostles.Theyare
ouronlyguide.
Mt.5:23-24
Mk.11:25
Mt.13:24-30
Inachurchthatisalmostdeadortotallydead,people
gossipaboutoneanothersweaknesses.Thereislittle,
ifany,churchdiscipline,andthereforenoforgiveness
either.Jesuscommanded,Whenyougotothealtar
tobringyoursacriceandyourememberthatyour
brotherhassomethingagainstyou,gobackandmake
peacewithhim,andthenbringyoursacricetothe
altar.Healsosaidthatweshouldnotprayunlesswe
forgiveevery personinthewholeworld,whetherthe
personisrightorwrong,friendorenemy.Thesecom-
mandshavebeenalmostentirelyforgotten.
Jesusparableabouttheweedsamongthewheat
isoftenusedasanexcuseforadyingchurch.ButI
believethatthisparableisnotchieymeantforthe
church;itismeantmainlyfortheworldingeneral.
Wecannotuseitasanexcusefortoleratingevil.Ifwe
knowthereissininthechurch,itmustberootedout
throughchurchdiscipline,outoflovetothepersonin-
volvedandtothechurch.Otherwisethewholechurch
Eph.5:27
Col.1:22
willbelost.Paulsaysthatthechurchshouldnothave
spots,blemishes,orwrinkles,butbepureandholyas
Jesushimselfisholy.Wecannotexcuseevilbysaying
thatwherethereiswheatthereisalwayschaff.
Thereisnobetterwaytodefeatthedevilinourown
heartsthanbygivingourselvescompletelytoJesus.
Thisisespeciallytrueformembersunderchurchdis-
ciplineandforthosewhostrugglewithevilthoughts
andfeelings.TheymustgivethemselvesovertoJesus
againandagain.Thatistheonlywayvictoryispos-
sibleinthestruggleoftheheartindailylife.
Heb.4:12
IntheLettertotheHebrewsitsaysthatthespiritof
Godisassharpasatwo-edgedsword.Weshouldapply
thissharpnesstoourselvesrstofall.ButtheNew
Testamentalsospeaksofthegreatcompassion,love,
andwarmththatcomefromtheSpirit,andweshould
alwaysshowthislovetoothers,especiallytosinners.
WecancometoJesuswithanyneed,andwewillnd
compassionandgrace.Butwemustbewillingtoac-
cepthissharpness,too.EveryChristianneedssomeone
whospeaksthetruthtohimintheloveofChrist,no
matterhowpainfulitis,inordertocutthroughwhat
isevilinhim.
Wemustpraythatalongwiththesaltofthetruthwe
mayhavecompassionandmercifullove.Thenwewill
notfallintoextremes,andwewillnotspeaktoeach
otherwithoutlove.Myfatheroncewrote,Hewho
admonisheshisbrotherwithoutloveisamurderer.
Ithinkallofushavetorecognizewherewehavebeen
loveless,andaskforforgiveness.*
Whensomethingisnotrightinabrotherorsister,we
mustspeaktohimorheraboutitoutoflove.Andif
someonespeaksplainlytous,wemustnotbetouchy.
IcanassureyouthatthosewholivedwithJesusheard
plentyofstraighttalking.IncomparisontoJesus,we
areperhapsstillmuchtoopolite.Jesushonoredhis
Jn.2:4 mother,buthealsosaidtoher,WhathaveItodo
withyou,woman?Hiswayofloveisnotawayof
politeness.
Fromaletter:Ifyouknowofspecicinstancesof
complacency,lovelessness,orsinamongus,please
bringthemtoourattention.Butdontmakegeneral
accusationsandtalkaboutthemwithothers.Such
talkingisextremelydangerousanddivisive.Itwillnot
helptobringbrothersandsisterstogetherbutwill
drivethemfurtherapart.
ItisveryclearfromtheNewTestamentthatforgive-
nessofsinisconnectedwiththechurch.Jesusgives
Mt.16:19
thekeystobindandtoloosetothechurch.So
anywhereonthisearthwheretwoorthreemeetinhis
*AnothersimilarsayingofEberhardArnoldis"Lovewithouttruthlies,
buttruthwithoutlovekills."
Lk.6:37-38
name thatis,inaspiritoftotalandunconditional
surrendertohimtherethekeystobindandtoloose
aregiven.Forgivenessisnotmerelyaprivatematter.
Godwantsustobecomeclearerindiscernment,but
healsowantsustobecomemoreloving,moreunder-
standing,andmoremerciful.Churchdisciplinemust
exist,butwemustrememberJesuswords,Hewho
judgeswillbejudgedandWiththesamemeasure
youuse,youwillbemeasured.Loveisthegreatest
gift.
Baptism
Inbaptismthreethingsareofutmostimportance:
faithinJesusChrist,assuranceoftheforgivenessof
sinsthroughrepentance,andincorporationintothe
Body,whichisthechurch.
BaptismisacovenantwithGodandhischurchin
whichwegiveourselveswholeheartedlytoJesuswith
allthatweareandhave,inthebeliefthathewillfor-
giveoursins.Thisforgivenessofsinsispossibleonly
Eph.1:7
throughthedeathofJesus,thoughhehasgivenhis
Jn.20:23
churchthepowertoforgivesinsinhisname.
MayGodforgivethesinsofeachpersonwhode-
siresbaptism,andmayJesuspurifyeachofthemwith
1Jn.1:7
hisbloodandmakethemchildrenofGodandtrue
brothersandsisters.
Baptismisaconfessionofrepentance,andthereforeit
meansabsolutededication:itmeansgivingourselves,
pouringourselvesouttotallyforJesusChrist,asa
vesselispouredout,sothatwebecomeemptyofour-
selvesandpoorbeforeGod.
1Pet.3:21
Rom.6:3-4
Gal.3:25-27
Baptismisthedeclarationofagoodconsciencebefore
God,whichispossibleonlythroughthegracioushelp
andcleansingpowerofChristsblood.ItisChrists
spirit,thespiritoftruth,thatspeakstothebelieving
conscienceanddirectsittowardunitywiththewill
ofGod.Onlyinsuchunitytheunityofagoodcon-
sciencewithGodistheretruepeace.Herethecon-
scienceisfreedfromtheLawandfromthepowersof
thespiritofourtime.
Col.2:12
JesuswasbaptizedintheJordanRiver,andIbelieve
hemeantbaptismtobearealimmersion.Butthe
formisnotimportantifthereisnowateravailable
forimmersion,watercanalsobepouredoverthe
personbeingbaptized.Theimportantthingisthat
weareburiedwithChristinbaptismandraisedwith
himthroughthefaithwhichGodworksinus,justas
Christwasraisedfromthedead.
Thestepofbaptismisastepoftotaldedicationto
Godandthechurch,andwedonotwanttopersuade
anyonetotakeit.Butwemustcallpeopletorepen-
tance;wemustpointoutthattheGospelcontainsthe
sharpestcondemnationofsin,thoughitalsocontains
thewarmestwelcomeforrepentantsinners.Godcalls
usagainandagaintocometohimwithourtrespasses
andourneed,andwecanalwaysturntrustinglyto
him,nomatterwhatthecircumstances.
Fromaletter: Wedonotbecomebetterpeople
throughbaptism;wedonotclimbuptobecomegods.
WewillalwaysremainlowlysinnerstowhomGod
comesdown.Itisamiracleweareneverworthyof,yet
Godisfullofgrace.
Itisbettertoremainunbaptizedthantotakethestep
half-heartedlyforthesakeofparentsorsomeoneyou
love,orinordertondsecurityinchurchmember-
ship.Baptismmustbeapersonaldecision.Noonecan
makeitforyou.
Millionsofpeoplearebaptized,butformanyof
thembaptismisacompletelydeadform.Iwouldad-
viseanyonewhowantstobebaptizedtoaskhimself,
AmIwilling,forthesakeofJesus,tolovenothing
morethanhimneitherwife,parents,norchildren
sothathecanliveinme?AmIwillingtogiveevery-
thingtoJesusandmybrothers?Ifyouarenot,dont
bebaptized.Youmustbewillingtodieforhimsothat
hehimselfmayliveinyourheart.Jesusmustbeyour
onlytreasure.
IfyouarebaptizedforthesakeofJesus,hewillreceive
Rom.8:1-4
youandloveyouandgiveyouhisforgivenessand
peace.Hewilllivewithinyou,andhelpyouconquer
everytemptation.Youwillbepuriedandwashed
cleanbyhisblood.
Rom.6:3-4
Mt.10:38-39
Jn.12:24-26
Truebaptismisdeeplyrelatedtothedeathandthe
resurrectionofJesus.Itcannotbeseparatedfrom
them.BaptismreallymeansdyingwithChristand
thenrisingwithhim.ThephrasedyingwithChrist
hasbeensooverusedthatperhapssomeofitspower
hasbeenlost;butwhenweconsiderdeeplywhatit
meantforGodtocometothisearthanddieforus,we
willbegintofeeltheseriousnessofhisaskingustodie
withhim.
Rev.1:18
Baptismrequiresapersonaldecisiontoconfessones
sinsandtogiveoneslifetoJesuscompletely.Itmeans
wantingtodieratherthanconsciouslysinagain.You
mustpersonallyexperiencethatChristisyourpeaceof
heartandthathediedforyou.Butthisisnotenough.
YoumusthaveamuchgreatervisionofChrist.It
wouldbewrongtoforgetyourpersonalexperience,
yetyoumustseebeyonditandrecognizethegreatness
ofthesufferingandsinofthewholeworld.Andyou
mustalsorecognizethegreatnessofGod,thegreatness
oftheuniverse,andthegreatnessofJesus,whoisking
overthekingdomofGodandholdsthekeytothe
underworld.Hehaspoweroverallpowers.
Baptismisnotahumaninstitution:itisastepin
whichsinsareforgivenanddemonsaredrivenout
throughJesusChristandtheHolySpirit.Noman
candothis,norcananygroupofpeople.Weneed
Mk.2:17
Rom.6:12-13
thepresenceofChristhimself,andthereforeweask
forGodtobepresentatourbaptismalmeetings.Itis
hewhomwehonor,hewhoforgivesoursinsthrough
faithinthedeathofJesusChrist.Ofcourse,before
Godcanforgivesinsthroughbaptism,theremustbe
repentance.Allofusmusttakerepentanceseriously,
andallofusmustbreakwithhumanjustice,human
goodness,andhumanfairness.Nooneofusisright;
Godaloneisright.Jesuswassharpesttothosewho
weregoodtothosewhodidnotneedthecrossor
believedthatsincetheywereAbrahamschildrenthey
weresaved.Hesaid,Itisnotthehealthywhoneeda
physician,butthesick.Ihavecomenottosavevirtu-
ouspeople,butsinners.
Paulsaysthatonceweareconvertedandbaptized
oncewehavedecidedtofollowJesusweshouldno
longerputthemembersofourbodyatthedisposalof
sin.Thisisveryimportant:thebrainmustbelledby
GodsgraceandGodsthoughts;thehandsmustno
longercausethesheddingofbloodorcarryoutimpure
orobsceneacts;andtheeyesmustnolongerbeused
forlust,buttoradiateGodslovetobrothersandsis-
ters.WhenwegiveourselvestoChristinbaptism,we
sealourwholebodyforhisuse.
Yeteveryoneknowsthatafterbaptism,evilstilltries
toworkinus.Inoneitmaybethroughimpurity,in
anotheritmaybethroughpride,inanotherthrough
hatredandbitterness.Itisimpossibletopullourselves
outofthemudbyourownshoe-strings.Wemayght
andstruggle,butwewillneverbeabletochangeour-
selves.ItisthroughthedeathofJesus,hisforgiveness,
andhispowertodriveoutevilfromtheheartthatwe
Rom.6 willnolongerbeslavestosin.Wewillstillbetempted,
butourtemptationwillbeansweredbythedeepin-
nerexperienceoffaith.IfwehaveonlytheLawthe
Thoushaltnotdesireandevildesirecomesupin
ourhearts,wewontknowwhattodowithit.Butif
wehaveexperiencedJesusthroughrepentance,wewill
beabletoovercome.Wewillstillbehuman,butwe
willnolongerbeslavestosin.
1Cor.10:16-17
TheLordsSupper
TheLordsSupperisanoutwardsymbol,asignofgiv-
ingourselvesinbrokennesstoJesus,whosebodywas
brokenandcrucied.Christwantstobepresentinthe
heartofeachonewhobreaksthebreadanddrinksthe
wine.Hewantsustobecomeweakwithhimsothat
wemaythenbecomestronginhisstrengthandhave
communionwithhim.Breadandwineareonlysym-
bols,butthepurifyingunitywithChristwhichthey
symbolizeisagreatreality.AttheLordsSupperwe
experiencecommunitywithChrist.
Justasgrainsofwheatfromdifferenteldsareground
andformedintooneloaf,andgrapesfrommanyvine-
yardsarepressedtoproducewine,sowe,whocome
fromdifferentcountriesandcultures,canbeunitedin
theLordsSupper.Butthisunityispossibleonlywhen
wesacriceourself-importance.
TheLordsSupperisamealofunity,andweshould
prepareourselvessothatwemaypartakeofitinthe
rightway.ItisamealatwhichwerememberJesus,
whoseredeemingspiritofforgivenessisthereforthe
wholeworldforallpeopleandallraces.Anditisalso
Jn.15:18-20
1Cor.11:29
atimeforustorenewourcovenantoffaithfulness
toGodandunburdenourheartssothattheymaybe
freedforserviceandrededicatedtohim.
AswerememberhowJesusappointedthemealon
hislasteveningonearth,weshouldalsoremember
thateveryChristianshouldbereadytosacricehis
lifeinfactshould sacricehislife likehim.Welive
inaworldthatisjustashostiletoGodskingdomasit
wasinJesustime,andhedidnotpromiseusthatwe
wouldfarebetterthanhedid.Rather,hesaidthathis
discipleswouldbepersecutedandthatwhatwasdone
totheirMasterwouldbedonetothemtoo.
BycelebratingtheLordsSupperwetestifytothelove
ofourLordJesus,whosedeathmadeitpossibleforus
tondforgivenessofsins,love,andunitywithonean-
other.Itisactuallyaverysimplemeal,butJesusasked
hisdisciplestoholditinmemoryofhim,and
sowecelebrateitinthatsense.
Paulsaysthathewhoeatsthebreadanddrinksthe
wineunworthilyattheMealofRemembranceeatsand
drinksjudgmentonhimself.Itisclearbythisthatwe
shouldnotgototheLordsSupperwithaconscience
burdenedbyunconfessedsin.Butweshouldnotallow
feelingsofunworthinesstotormentus.Paulisspeak-
ingheremainlyabouttheinnerattitudewithwhich
weshouldcometotheLordsSupper.Weshouldcome
Ex.3:5
1Cor.11:26
cf.Jn.12:24-25
withthesamereverentfearMoseshadwhenGod
showedhimtheburningbushandsaidtohim,Take
offyourshoes,hereisholyground.
Intheearlychurchthebelieversmetoftentoholdthe
LordsSuppersothatevilspiritswouldbedrivenout
fromamongthem.Whenaspiritualstruggleisgoing
oninourbrotherhood,we,too,feelurgedtocelebrate
theLordsSupper.JrgBlaurock,anearlyAnabaptist
leader,saidthatifitiscelebratedoften,itwillreveal
anyfalsebrothersamongus.
Inthebreakingofbreadanddrinkingofwineatthe
LordsSupper,wejoinourselvestoChristinthedeep-
estsensepossible.Werememberhissavingdeathand
proclaimituntilhecomes,asPaulsays.Weproclaim
Christsdeathasthegreatesthistoricalevent:through
hiswoundswearehealed,throughhissufferingwe
ndGod,andthroughhisgreatlightwendlove.We
praythathealonemaybeourLordandMaster.Letus
lovehimhiswayandhislife withallourbeing.
TheNewTestamentsaysthatifweloveChrist,we
mustdiewithhim.Thismeanswemustdietoour-
selves.Dyingtooneselfisoftenverypainfulandmay
costalongstruggle,butitispossibleifweloveChrist
andhiscrossdeeplyenough.Itisnotamatterofself-
tormentbutofndingJesus.
CertainlyweshouldnotonlyrememberChrists
deathandhissufferingwhenwethinkoftheLords
Supperweshouldalsorememberhisresurrection
fromthedeadandhisascensiontotheFather,from
whosesidehewillrulethechurchandtheheartof
everybeliever.Andweshouldrememberhispromise
tocomeagaintojudgeusandtoestablishhiswonder-
fulkingdom.
LoveandMarriage
Love Jesusshowedusthatlovemeansgivingoneslifefor
othersratherthantakinglife,becomingthelowestand
humblestratherthanthemostpowerful.Lovemakes
usfree.Apersonwhowantstodominateothersand
havepoweroverthemhasatormentedsoul,whereasa
personwhoisburningwithlovehasajoyfulsoul.We
wishforourcouplesthatlovemightruletheirlife,and
thatservicetooneanothermightcomebeforeser-
vicetooneself.Butmorethanthis,wewishthatthey
mightbededicatedtothegreatcauseofGod,andthat
theirlovetohimmightcomebeforeeverythingelse
evenbeforetheirmarriage.
Inthesphereoflove,thedeterminingfactorisalways
thenonphysical:itistherelationshipfromheartto
heartandfromsoultosoul.Wecannotforgetthat
withoutthesoul,thebodyismerelythehuman
formmerelymatter.Yetweshouldnotdespiseiton
1Cor.6:19
thataccount.Doyounotknowthatyourbodyisa
shrineoftheindwellingHolySpirit,andtheSpiritis
*Forthischapterextensiveusehasbeenmadeoftheauthor'sbookInthe
ImageofGod:MarriageandChastityinChristianLife(Plough,1977).
Godsgifttoyou?Thebodygivesexpressiontothe
impulsesoftheheart.Agentlesmile,eyesthatshine
fromanaffectionateword,oratendertouchofthe
handcanleadtoanardentembraceandcaressesof
nalfulllmentinunion.Thebodyisthesoulmade
visible.
Fromaletter: Theattractiontotheoppositesexis
natural,butitisnotsufcientgroundbyfaronwhich
tomarryorfoundafamily.Itisquitenaturalthat
whenamanlovesawoman,hewantstoknowifsheis
therightone.Thereisonlyoneanswertothisques-
tion:bothmustfeelthatamaritalrelationshipwill
leadthemnearertoJesus.
Icanwellimagineinactualfact,Iknowitfor
surethattherightchoiceforaspouseisnottheone
whoismostattractiveerotically,buttheonewhose
companionshipwillleadbothpartnersclosertoJesus.
Ifmarriageisbasedonlyonphysicalattraction,itwill
gotopieceseasily.
Fromaletter: Inconsideringapartnerforlife,donot
letyourfeelingsofaffectionmovecasuallyfromone
persontoanother.TestyourfeelingsbeforeJesus.The
stepofmarriageisrightforaChristianonlyifheis
assuredthatitwillleadhimclosertoJesus,andthat
bothpartnerswillserveJesusmorefullytogetherthan
alone.IdonotbelievethataChristianshouldget
marriedpurelytosatisfyhisphysicalandemotional
desires.Apersonal,emotionaldesireneedstobethere,
butitshouldnotbethedecisivefactor.
Fromaletter: Ifyouarethinkingofbindinganother
soultoyourlifethroughmarriage,learntolove,learn
tobeopen-hearted,andlearntoconsidertheother
personrst.
Fromaletter: Imeanitseriouslyandforyourwell-be-
ing:itisbettertobesurenowbeforeyoumakeany
commitmenttoeachotherwhetherornotitisGods
willthatyoutwobelongtogether.Tohavedoubtsonce
youhavecommittedyourselfthroughanengagement
isterrible,buttohavedoubtsonceyouaremarried
isunbelievablymoreterrible.MayGodmakeitclear
toyouwhetherornotyoureallybelongtogether.It
wouldbebettertohaveashockingendtoyourrela-
tionshipthanashockwithoutend.Isaythistoyou
outoflove.MayGodleadyou.
Fromaletter: YourquestionWhydoIfeelattracted
towardthisboyifheisnotmeantformebutfor
someoneelse?isabitofarebelliousone.Itaccuses
someonehigherthanyourself.Ultimatelyitaccuses
God.Humannaturebeingwhatitis,weoftenfeel
attractionsthatwehavenochoicebuttoreject.Thatis
Marriage
Mt.5:28
simplypartofourhumanweakness.Whoisdestined
foryou,orwhetherornotsomeoneisdestinedfor
you,isnotformetosay.Theimportantthingforyou
istogiveyourlifetoJesus.
Jesustakesthebondofmarriagesoseriouslythathe
callsevenalustfulglanceadulteryintheheart.He
speakssosharplyaboutthisbecausehewantstopro-
tectthewonderfulandholygiftofunitybetweentwo
people.
Inatruemarriageamanandawomanbecomeone
rstofallinspirit.Thismeansthattheyareonein
faith,oneintheirexperienceofGod,andunitedinthe
purityofthechurch.
Second,marriagemeansthatamanandawoman
areoneinsoul.Onecanbeofonespiritwithanybe-
lievingperson.Butthereisadifferenceinthebond
thatexistsbetweenamarriedcoupleandbetweenoth-
ers.Thereisaspeciallovebetweenthesetwo,anda
specialjoywhentheyareneartooneanother.Because
theyloveoneanotherquitespecically,theyarefaith-
fultooneanotherandkeeptheirrelationshippure.
Third,marriagemeansthatacouplebecomesone
eshthroughtheactofphysicalunion.Ifthisunionis
brokenbyunfaithfulness,itisaterriblesin,because
inGodseyeseverythinginthemarriageissmashed.
Whatwasrstablessingbecomesacurse,andnoth-
ingisleftexceptthehopethatthroughrepentanceand
Godsgracesomethingnewcanbegivenagain.There
Mt.5:27-32
Mt.19:6
Eph.5:23
isnoexcuseforadultery,especiallynotforanyonewho
believesinJesus.
TheblessingofGodisonanycoupleyoungor
oldwhoexperiencesunityintherightorder:rst
unityofonespirit,thenonenessofheartandsoul,and
thenphysicalunion.Toooftenacouplebecomesone
inbodywhenthereislittleonenessofheartandonly
verylittleonenessofspirit.
WetakeJesuswordsintheSermonontheMount
aboutlust,divorce,andremarriageveryseriouslyand
maintainasharpstandagainstsexualimmorality.No
Bruderhofmembermaydivorceandthenremarry,
andnoremarriedpersonmaybecomeacommitted
memberwhilecontinuingtoliveinsuchamarriage
relationshipifaformerspouseisstillliving.
Webelieveinlife-longfaithfulness,alsoforthe
sakeofanychildrentheremaybe.Thecovenantof
marriagebetweentwopeoplemustbeacovenantfor
life,anditcannotbetamperedwith:WhatGodhas
joinedtogether,letnomanputasunder.
ThebasisofatruemarriageislovetoJesus.Youmust
acceptJesusasalivingpowerintoyourrelationship.
Youmustsurrendercompletelytohim.
ItisthetaskofthemantorepresentJesusasthe
head,butthisalsomeansthathemustfollowJesus
exampleoflowliness.Amanwhodoesnotwanttobe
lowlycannotbeadisciple.
Lk.1:38
Gen.2:18
1Cor.13:4-6
1Cor.13:7
ThetaskofthewomanistorepresentJesusasthe
Body,thechurch.ShemusttaketheexampleofMary,
whosaid,HereamI,thelowlyhandmaidenofthe
Lord.Ifshecannotacceptthis,sheisnotaChristian.
Inthedeepestsense,marriageleadstocommunity.As
Godsaid,Itisnotgoodformantobealone.Out
ofonebeinghemadetwomanandwomanandin
marriagethesetwobecomeoneagain.
Amarriagewilllastonlyifbothpartnershavehum-
bleandopenhearts.Jealousyandself-importance
willalwaystrytoentertheirrelationshipandseparate
them,butlovewillovercome,becauseitisneither
arrogantnorrude.Itdoesnotinsistonitsownway;
itisnotirritableorresentful;itdoesnotrejoiceat
wrong,butrejoicesinthetruth.Thisalsomeansthat
loveforgives.Whenyouaremarried,youndoutday
bydaythatyourpartnerisnotperfect.Butifyoucan
forgiveyourspouse,everydaywillbeanewbeginning,
andeverydaywillcontainnewjoy.Lovebearsall
things,hopesandbelievesallthings.Nothingistoo
heavytocarryifthereislove.Evenifadifcultsitua-
tionconfrontsyouasacouple,lovewillholdyourm
withhopeandfaith,foritenduresallthings.
Faithfulnessinmarriageisofcrucialimportancefor
theinnerlifeofeachpartner.Thereisadeepconnec-
tionbetweenmarriedloveinitsspiritualandemo-
tionalaspectsontheonehand,andsexualunionon
theother.Whentwopeoplebecomeoneeshina
truemarriage,theirphysicalunitinghasaverydeep
connectionwithGod.Shouldtheirsexualrelationship
becomeseparatedfromhim,itbecomesasinfulthing
evenwithinmarriage.Havingamarriagecerticate
doesnotgiveonethefreedomtoliveforthebodyand
itsappetites.
Becauseoftheuniqueintimacyandmysteryofthesex-
ualsphereinmarriage,anunparalleledunitingtakes
placewheneachpartnersurrenderscompletely
totheother.Thisunitingistheorganicexpressionof
marriedlove,whoseverygoalisthemutualgivingof
self.Eachpartnerknowsthesecretoftheother,and
itisGodswillthatonlythisonemanandthisone
womankeepthatsecretanddonotpassitontoany-
oneelse.
OurmaincallingistofollowJesus,whateverthecost.
Ifwearegiventhegiftofapartner,itshoulddouble
ourdedicationtoJesus,notweakenit.Marriage
shouldleadusclosertoJesus.
Wepraythatthosewhoentermarriagemayallow
nothingtoseparatethemfromtheloveofGod,what-
evermayhappen;forhisloveisalwaystheretohold
eachofthemandbothofthemtogetherthroughneed
andsufferingaswellasthroughtimesofjoy.
Thebondofmarriageisapromisetobefaithful
throughthickandthin,throughgooddaysandhard
days,andtobecompletelydependentontheloveof
Godforthewholeoflife.
Oneofthegreatestdangersinmarriageisnagging
showingdissatisfactionoververylittlethingsbecause
onefeelsonespartnerisnotperfect.Ifapersonalways
thinksheisintheright,hewillnotbeopentolove.
HemightfearGodandlistentohiswillandhisWord,
buttheEnemywillalwaysbewatchingtotempthim,
evenifinlittlethings.Whennaggingbeginsinamar-
riage,lovewillslowlycooloff.Wemustbeawareof
thisdanger.Butifwearewillingtodareallthings,
hopeallthings,andforgiveallthings,theneveryday
willbeanewexperienceoflove,evenifourmarriage
goesthroughharddays.
Fromaletter: Ithinkyoumustseriouslyaskyourself
whetheryouhaveshownsufcientloveandpatienceto
yourwife,andwhetheryouwentoutofyourway
tounderstandhersituationandherneeds.Ahusband
shouldleadthefamily,butthismeansthathisrst
dutyistounderstandtheneedsofhiswifeandchil-
dren.Withoutunderstandingthem,hecannotshow
themloveorgivethemleadership.
1Cor.13:4-7
Eph.5:22-24
Fromaletter: Whenthesituationbetweenyouand
yourhusbandbecomesclearinyourheartsbefore
God,whoaloneseeseverything,youwillrecognize
thattherearewrongsonbothsides.Read1Corin-
thians13:47withyourinnereyeturnedtoyour
marriage:
Loveispatient;loveiskindandenviesnoone.
Loveisneitherboastfulnorconceited,neither
rudenorselsh;notquicktotakeoffense.Love
keepsnoscoreofwrongs,doesnotgloatover
otherssins,butdelightsinthetruth.Thereis
nothinglovecannotface;thereisnolimittoits
faith,itshope,anditsendurance.
Ifyoureadthis,Ithinkyouwillfeelthatbothofyou
areguilty,andthatyoubothhaveoffendedlovein
yourmarriage.
Fromaletter: Ithinkyouarerightthatyourhusband
iswoundedinhisheart.Youcannothealhishurt,
butyoucanhumbleyourself.Humilityhasahealing
effectonapersonwhomwehavehurt.TheBiblesays,
Wives,besubjecttoyourhusbandsandThehus-
bandistheheadofthefamily.
Iknowyouhaveyourownburdentocarry,andyou
areright,youmustlayitdownatthefootofthecross
sothathealingandforgivenesscanbegiven.Partof
layingeverythingdownatthecrossisfeelingsorryto
thedepthsofourheartsforwhatwehavedone.Ithink
ofyoubothingreatloveandwillprayforyou.
Fromaletter: Dearbrother,beabsolutelysilentbe-
foreGod,andlistenwithyourhearttothevoiceof
God.Seekhimtogetherwithyourwife.ItisGodwho
joinedyoutogether;itisGodwhowillholdyou
together;itisGodwhowillprotectyou.
Sex
Thesexualaspectofmarriageisbynomeansthemost
importantpartoftherelationship.Thesignicance
ofsexisexaggeratedtodayinathoroughlyunhealthy
way.Lovebetweenmanandwomanisseentoooften
onlyinananimalsense,asasexualimpulse,andits
truesignicanceisutterlymissed.
Obviously,therearedifferencesinthebiologicalmake-
upofthemaleandthefemale.Butitiscompletely
materialistictothinkthatthedifferencebetweenman
andwomanismerelybiological.Awomanlongsto
absorbherbelovedoneintoherself.Sheisdesignedby
naturetoreceiveandtoendure;toconceive,tobear,
tonurse,andtoprotect.Itispartoftheevilofour
timethatwomenrevoltagainstcarryingtheburden
andpainofpregnancyandbirth.Aman,ontheother
hand,desirestoenterintohisbelovedoneandbecome
onewithher;heismadetoinitiateandpenetrate
ratherthantoreceive.
Mt.28:19-20
AtruemanrepresentsChristasthehead,evenifhe
isaveryweakperson.Butthismustnotbetakenasif
hewereanoverlord.Hisistheapostolictask:Goout
andgather!Teachallpeople.Submergetheminthe
atmosphereofGod,inthelifeoftheFather,theSon,
andtheHolySpirit.Womenareinnowayexcluded
fromthistask,butitisinaspecialwaythedutyofthe
man.
Itisquiteclearthatthedifferencesbetweenmanand
womanarenotabsolute.Atruewomanwillrepresent
Christandtheapostolictruth,andatruemanwill
haveinhimthesubmissionandhumilityofMary.
Todaysreligionispsychology,andpsychologyanalyzes
manasananimalandnotasanimageofGod.Freud
isrightonmanypoints,butheforgetsthemainfactor:
God.Becauseheanalyzesmanasifhewerenotmade
intheimageofGod,heexplainsthesexualurgeas
mansmotivatingforce.Heevenseestherelationship
ofchildtofatherandmotherasbasedonsex.
Psychologistsarerightinteachingthatthereare
manyurgesinus notonlysexualurges,butalsothe
desireforpropertyandforpower.Buttheirconclusion
thatitisnotgoodtosuppresstheseurgesiswrong.It
completelyignorestherealityofGodandthefactthat
manwascreatedinhisimage.
Theloveandunitybetweentwopeopleinamarriage
isdeeplysymbolic.TheApostlePaulsays,Itakeitto
Eph.5:32
meanChristandthechurch.Sucharetheholyterms
inwhichmarriageispresented,andforthisreasonit
needstobecompletelysubordinatedtoGod.Itsreal
naturecanbeunderstoodonlyinrelationtoChrist
andtoeternity.Themomentthesensualorsexual
sphereisisolatedfromGodandtreatedasanendin
itself,thesoulbecomesdeledandsick.Certainly,sex
issomethingdistinctfromlove;yettheremustbea
deepharmonybetweensexandmarriedlove.
Sexisintrinsicallyintimateandmysterious,andit
shouldremainsobecauseofitscloseconnectionwith
love,thedeepestandmostspiritualofallexperiences.
Itwouldbeaseriouserrortobelievethatwhentwo
peoplemeantbyGodforeachotherbecomeoneesh,
itissolelyforthepurposeofprocreation.Itissimply
nottruethatmarriageispurposefulonlyinthislim-
itedsense.
Incontrasttoallotherareasofbodilyexperience,the
sphereofsexisdeepinandofitself.Itssensualityhas
certainessentialelementsthatpenetratetothevery
rootsofmansphysicalbeinganddirectlyintohissoul.
Ithasadepthandanearnestnessthatreachesfarbe-
yondthelimitsofthebodyandintotheexperiencesof
mindandspirit.
Thereforewhenamansurrendershimselftolusthe
isdeledinquiteadifferentwaythan,forinstance,
bygluttony.Satisfyingsexuallustwoundsmaninhis
innermostheartandbeing;itattacksandharmsthe
soulatitscore.
Thesexualaspectofthesensualspherehasacentral
placeinmanbecausetherebody,soul,andspiritmeet
astheydoinnootherareaofhumanexperience.Thus
thesexuallifehasanintimacyallitsownwhichthe
individualinstinctivelyhidesfromothers.Sexishis
secret,somethingthathefeelstouchesonhisinmost
being.Everydisclosureinthissphererevealssomething
intimateandpersonalandletsanotherpersonintohis
secret.Thatiswhytheareaofsexisalsotheareaof
shame:weareashamedtounveiloursecretbeforeoth-
ers.
Howdreadfulisatimeandageinwhichmansode-
spiseshimselfandhishumanworththatallsenseof
shameislost!Tothepuremanthesexualsphereishis
ownindividualsecret,andwhenitisuncovered,itis
uniquelyrevealedasthecompletesurrenderofselfin
wedlocktoonlyoneperson.
Thesexrevolutionoftodayisdestroyingtheinner
soulofman.Wewanttowitnesswithourlivesto
somethingquitedifferent:thefactthatabsolutepurity
andfaithfulnessinmarriagearepossible.
Thewholeideaofthesexualrelationshipbetween
manandwomancomesfromGod.Itisnothingto
beashamedof;itissimplytooholytobeconstantly
talkedabout.
Becauseofitsuniquenature,sexcantaketwovery
differentforms:itcanbeanawe-inspiring,mysterious,
noble,chaste,andpeacefulact,inwhichcaseitwill
havearedeemingeffect.Butitcanalsobeaforbidden
surrendertonakedlust,andthenitwillsickenthe
soulofmanandbecomethedomainofevilandof
diabolicalappeal.
Desecrationofanysortissin.IfIabuseahumanbe-
ingbytreatinghimasathinginsteadofahuman
being,IviolatehisdignityasanimageofGod.Itis
desecrationtoseduceanotherhumanbeingwithno
thoughtofresponsibilityforhisorhersoul.Itisa
crimeagainstthespirit,soul,andbodyoftheother
personandagainstoneself.
Toseduceapersonofthesamesexisevenmoreter-
rible.Itisgodlessandperverse,andtheOldandNew
Testaments,aswellastheearlychurchfathers,speak
earnestlyagainstit.
Toentermarriagesolelyinordertosatisfyphysicalde-
sireiscompletelyoutofthequestion.Butonecannot
denythesensesentirely.Whenyouhearlovelysinging,
youdonotdenyyoursenseofhearing.Andwhenyou
seethebeautyofGodscreation,youdonotdenyyour
senseofsight.Whenyousmellspringandowers,you
donotdenyyoursenseofsmell.Thesameistrueof
thesenseofsex.DivorcedfromGod,sexishorrible
darkness;thatistrue.Butifyoutrytodenyitcom-
pletely,youforceyourselfintosomethingunnatural.
Peoplecomemuchtooclosetothereofloveand
sexwithoutanyinnerfoundation.Theygointosexual
relationshipslightly,withoutreverenceforGod,and
theirinnerlifeisdestroyed.Evenfaithfulnessinmar-
riagehasbecomemoreandmoreuncommon.YetGod
remainsfaithful,andhewantsustobefaithful.
Fromaletter: Sexhasnopurposeapartfrommar-
riage.Outsideofmarriageitissinful.TheBiblede-
mandschastitybeforeitandoutsideofit;thatisvery
clear.Soifyouhavenotalwaysfollowedthechasteand
pureway,thenyoumustndforgivenessinorderto
standuprightbeforeGod.ButJesuswantstogiveyou
thisforgiveness.
Celibacy
Lk.14:16-20
Wemustrecognizethattogiveupmarriageisagreat
sacrice.Buttobelongcompletelyandundividedly
toChristisagreatgift.Inasense,arelationshipwith
Christcanacquiredeepermeaningforasingleperson
thanforamarriedperson,becausehisorherheartcan
bedirectedsolelytowardChrist,andacompleteand
undividedpersonalrelationshipwithhimispossible.
ChristcomparesthekingdomofGodtoamarriage
banquetmorethanonce.Hecallsthesoultounion
withhim,andhewantstogivehimselfundividedlyto
eachperson.Thereisnothingthatsurpassesthein-
nerwarmth,tenderness,andfruitfulnessofunitywith
Jesus.Thishighest,mostintimatebondofthesoulcan
llanyvoid.Think,forinstance,ofthemanybelievers
throughhistorywhosufferedinprisonforyearseven
decades forthesakeoftheirfaith.Throughgrace,
eachofuscanndthisbondofloveandunitytoo.
InLuke14:1620,Jesusspeaksofthosewhoreject
hisinvitationtothebanquetforloveofotherthings.
Ultimately,itisamatterofbecomingtotallyundivid-
ed.InordertobewhollylledbyGodandcompletely
freetofollowhim,wemustbeinwardlyemptyofall
else.Thedangerofadividedheartisespeciallygreat
whenweareconcernedwiththingsorpeoplewor-
thyoflove.Whenourinnereyeisnolongerdirected
towardChristalone,thenmotherhood,fatherhood,
family,children,andeventhecommunityof
lifeandloveinmarriagecanbecomeidolsthateasily
absorbourlove.
WemustgiveourheartssolelytoGod.Ourloveto
himandtoChristmustbecomesostrongthatweare
joyfullypreparedforanysacrice.Itisourprayerthat
wemaydiesothatChristmayradiatefromus;thatwe
maynolongerliveforourselves,butChristinus.
Fromaletter: YouaskifJesusiscallingyoutore-
nouncemarriageforthesakeofthekingdomofhea-
ven.Ibelievethatsuchacalltocelibacyispossible,
andnotonlyforthosewithaCatholicbackground.
ButIwouldbehesitanttomakesuchavowhastily;it
wouldhavetobeverycarefullyconsideredbeforehand.
Fromaletter: Icanwellimagineyourinnerneedand
struggleingivingupmarriage,thoughyoushould
knowthatyouarenottheonlyonewhohasgone
throughpainandlacksinnerpeaceinthisquestion.
Ultimately,weallhavetobewillingtobeusedbyGod
ashewills.ThethoughtthatGoddoesnotloveyouis
certainlyofthedevil.Youareclingingtoomuchtoone
greatgiftmarriage whilethereareothermuchgreat-
ergiftsthatGodalsowantstogiveyou.Thegreatest
giftisaburninglovetoChrist.Weshouldbewilling
togiveupeverythingforthis.
Fromaletter: Ineveryhumanbeingthereisthelong-
ingforapartner,andthereisnothingwronginthis
itisputintomanbyGod.YetindiscipleshiptoJesus
wecanndthefulllmentofthislongingwithout
marriage,evenifitisrarelygivenwithoutgreatpain,
manytears,andanguishofheart.
Iwishforyouthatyoumightndsuchahealing
inChrist suchafullnessandrichnessthatthereisno
placeinyourlifeleftvoidorempty.Thisispossible
onlythroughndingadeepdedicationtoJesushim-
selfandthroughfeelinghisgraceinthedepthsofyour
heart.
MayyourlifebeguidedonlybyChrist,inwhatever
wayhewantsit,sothatwhenyoucometotheendof
yourlife,orwhenChristreturnstothisearth,youwill
standasapreparedvirginwithatrimmedlamp.
Children
Mk.10:14-15
cf.Mt.18:3-6
Mt.18:1-3
FamilyLife*
Jesussaidthatonlychildrenorthosewhoarelike
themwillenterthekingdomofGod.Unlikeadults,
childrenarenotdivided,dualisticbeings.Theyareone
whole;theyarevulnerable;theyarewhollydependent
onfatherandmother.Christcallsustobecomelike
children,andthismeanswemustdropeverythingand
becomecompletelydependentonGodandonone
another.
IfweasparentsloveGodwithallourheartandsoul,
ourchildrenwillhavetherightreverenceforus,and
wewillalsohavereverenceforourchildrenandfor
thewonderfulmysteryofbecomingandbeingachild.
Reverenceforthespiritthatmovesbetweenparentand
childisthebasicelementofatruefamilylife.
ThedisciplescametoJesusandasked,Whoisthe
greatestinthekingdomofheaven?Hecalledachild,
sethiminfrontofthem,andsaid,Itellyouthis:
*Forthischapterextensiveusehasbeenmadeoftheauthor'spamphlet
ThePurityofChildhood(Plough,1974).
unlessyouturnaroundandbecomelikechildren,you
willneverenterthekingdomofheaven.
ThesewordsofJesustelluswhatgreatvaluethe
soulofalittlechildhasintheeyesofGod.Wecanbe
Lk.12:7
surethateveryhairofeverychildiscountedbyGod,
Mt.18:10 andthateverychildhasaguardianangelwhoalways
hasaccesstothethroneofGod.
Theinnocenceofachildisanenormousblessing.
However,thereisaninclinationtosinineverychild,
andthereforewemustleadchildrenintherightwayso
thattheydonotlosetheirchildlikeness thatis,their
Mt.18:6 purityofheart.Itisaterriblecrimetoleadachildto
sin.
Itisveryimportantforparentsandeducatorsto
implantineachchildadeeploveforGod,forJesus,
andforotherpeople.Parentsandeducatorsshouldtell
childrenaboutJesus:howhewasborninastable,how
helivedandworked,howhehealedthesick,howhe
lovedchildrenandblessedthem,howhediedonthe
crossandroseagain,andwhatsignicancetheangel-
worldhadinhislife.Itisimportanttohaveachildlike
attitudetowardtheangel-worldandtowardthelifeof
Jesus.Childrenexperiencespiritualthingsinamuch
morerealanddeepwaythanwesuspect.
Itismoreimportanttoleadchildrentoaburning
loveforChristthantoteachthemmuchlessforce
themtosayregularprayersthatdonotcomefrom
thehearteachmorningorevening.Childrencanlearn
toloveGodthroughsongsandstoriesfromtheBible
andfromhearingaboutthelifeofJesus.Thersttask
ofparentsandeducatorsistoawakeninchildrena
loveforChrist.Thenaninnerurgetopraytohimwill
alsoawakeninthem.
ItisnousetoknowtheBibleinsideout,ortomake
childrenlearnitinsideout,ifGoddoesnotspeak
directlytotheheart.Weneedtobeverycarefulnot
toputreligiouspressureonchildren;wewantthemto
haveasimple,childlikeattitudetowardGod,toward
Jesus,andtowardtheBible.
Justaswemustcleanseourownheartscontinually,so
wemustpreparetheheartsofourchildrensothatthey
maybecomegoodsoilfortheWordofGod.Godsuf-
ferswhenaheartislikeahard-troddenorrockypath,
orwhenitisfullofthorns.Preaching,however,does
notmakegoodsoil;itoftenhardenstheheart.
Wehaveourownnurseryforourchildrenfromthe
ageofsixweeksandup,andwelookafterouryoung
peopleatleastthroughhighschool,ifnotfurther.*
*TheBruderhofhasitsownnursery,kindergarten,andrstthroughtenth
grades,withpersonalisedstudytowardtheGED.Furthertrainingbeyond
thatisconsideredandmadeavailableonanindividualbasis.
Butwedonotbelievethatthechurchcommunityhas
themainauthorityforeducatingchildrentheparents
do.Thehomeisthefoundationofeducation.Those
whocareforchildrenatschoolorelsewherecanonly
complementthespiritualatmosphereofthehome.
Achildsinnersecuritybeginsinhisrelationship
withhisparents.TheTenCommandmentsdonotsay
Ex.20:12 invain,Honorfatherandmother.Wehavefound
thatwhenachilddoesnotlearntohonorhisfather
andmother,heoftenndsithardtotintosocietyin
laterlife.
Fromaletter:ForachildthefearofGodmustbegin
withfearoffatherandmother.Theideaoffearing
Dt.6:13
Godisbiblical,butthisdoesnotmeanthatachild
shouldbeafraidofhisparentsorafraidofGod.Itsim-
plymeansheshouldhavedeepreverence,deeprespect,
anddeeploveforthem.
Fromaletter:Ithasbeensaidthattherstfouryears
ofachildslifearethemostcrucialinhiseducation.*If
achildhasreverenceforhisparentsandforGodwhen
heisthreeorfouryearsold,thenthebattleiswon.But
ifhisself-willisvictoriousatthisage,itwillbevery
difculttoovercomelater.
*SeeFriedrichWilhelmFoerster,HauptaufgabenderErziehung(Freiburg,
1959),p.69.
Fromaletter:Asregardschildrenseducation,Iwould
saythatingeneralIamwaryofextremesofthepen-
dulumswingingfromonesidetotheother,fromhard-
nesstosoftness,fromdepressiontoexaggeratedjoy,
fromanegativeapproachtoapositiveapproachthat
nolongerseesanyrealproblems.Onemustndaway
thattacklesalldifcultiesinpatience,joy,andloving
clarity.
Asparentswemustovercometheillusionthatour
childrenaregood.Wemustbecarefulnottohavetoo
rosyaviewofthem,andwemustnotbetouchyif
someonequestionstheirbehavior.Wemustloveour
childrensomuchthatwearereadytoghtfortheir
souls.
Fromaletter:Yousaythatyoufeelcompletelyhelp-
lessinconnectionwithyourchildsdifcultbehavior.
Pleasedonothidebehindthisexcuse.Allofusare
helplessanddependentonGod;youarenodifferent.
Butitisasintothrowupyourhandsandcryout,
Wearehelpless.Asparents,youarecalledbyGodto
helpyourchildandtolovehim,butalsotoghtfor
himandtobermorevenstrictwhennecessary.The
mainthingisforyoutowinyourchildsheart.
Fromaletter:Youareconcernedaboutyourchil-
drensselshness,self-centeredness,andunpeaceful-
ness.Takearmstandagainstthesethings.Because
yourchildrenwanttobethecenterofattention,they
become,asyouwrite,bossy,touchy,anddisrespectful.
Turnawayfromthesoftnessthatyouhaveconfessed;
butdontbecomeharsh.Thatisnottheanswereither.
YoumustndtherightrmnessinGodslove.He
doesnottoleratethethingsyouspeakof.Wefailour
childrenwhenouremotionalfeelingsandtiespushus
around.
Fromaletter:Ipleadwithyoutoghtforyourchil-
dren.Thereisnoreasonfordespairifonefailsagain
andagain.Onemustsimplykeepuptheght.Itcan-
notbetoleratedthatachildgoestothedogs.Becom-
passionate,bestrict,begentleagain.Itwillnotalways
beeasygoing,butyouareresponsiblebeforeGodfor
yourchildren.
Fromaletter:Iwanttoencourageyoutohavepa-
tiencewithyourchildren.Acertainsharpnesstoward
childrenishealthy,butimpatienceisnot.MayGod
giveuspatienthearts.
Fromaletter:Thankyouforyourletteraboutyour
son.Hisbehaviorisquitenormalforatwo-year-old.
Inmyownupbringing,ifmyparentssaidsomething,
thentheymeantit,andtherewasnowayaroundit.
Thisdoesnotmeanthatwewerealwaysobedientat
twoyearsofage.Butlateritwouldhavebeenunthink-
ableforustodisobeyourfatherormother.Theywere
nothardonus,buttheywererm,andtheydidnot
toleratetheslightestdoubtthattheymeantwhatthey
said.
Fromaletter:Thankyouforyourletterinwhichyou
tellaboutthetroubleyouhavewithyourthree-year-
oldson.Childrenatthisyoungageneedaninwardly
surehand.Outburstsofsharpnessarenotgoodfor
them,butserious,rm,andkindleadershipwillhelp.
Fromaletter:Itisquitenaturalthatthedifcultsitu-
ationwithyourdaughterpainsyou.Itwouldbeun-
naturalifamotherdidnotfeelsuchpain.Butuseit
todeepenyourfaithinGod,inChrist,andinthe
church.Thenyouwillbeabletondfaithforyour
daughterandhelpher.
Augustine,themystic,livedasinfullifeasayoung
man,buthehadaverydevoutmother,Monica,who
didnotstopbelievingandprayingforhimuntilhe
brokedownandrepented.Laterhebecameaservant
ofChrist,andforcenturieshehasinuencedpeoplein
theirsearchforGod.IwishyouthefaithofMonica.
Itbeginswiththepainyouarenowsuffering.Inspite
ofallourpain,Godisalwaysgreater.Igreetyouwith
muchlove.
Fromaletter:Itisnotagoodtrendthatinourcen-
turysuchimportantmysteriesoflifeasthebirthofa
babyareexplainedinapurelyscienticway.Evenifwe
cangiveabiologicalexplanation,andevenifwecan
explainhowtwocellsgrowinthemotherswomb,this
isonlyhalfthetruth.Themostimportantthingsthe
comingofasoul,therstsmile,thecapacitiesofthe
humanheartandtherichesitcanexperiencecan
neverbeexplained.Westandbeforetheinvisiblereal-
ityofeternity.
Itcanbedamagingtoachildtotellhimtoomuch
aboutsex,birth,anddeath,andeverythingmustbe
donetoavoidit.Wedenitelydonotmeanthatchil-
drenshouldbebroughtupasprudes.Butwebelieve
thatbirthanddeathexistonlyinconnectionwiththe
worldofheavenandthattheyshouldbeexplainedto
childrenonlyinrelationtoGod.
Inspiteofallthatiswonderfulaboutchildren,we
mustrecognizethatbecausetheyarehuman,theyhave
inheritedaninclinationtosin.Whetherittakesthe
formoflying,stealing,alackofreverenceforparents
andeducators,orsexualimpurity,evilmustbefought
ineverychild.
Wemustbecarefulnottospoilourchildren,even
fromaveryearlyage.Itharmsachildscharacterto
bringhimupindulgently.Flabbinessisasignofself-
ishness,andselshnessalwaysleadstosin.Softnesscan
alsoarisethroughanunhealthyemotionalrelationship
betweenachildandhisparentoreducator.
Howtoghtagainstsininchildrenisaverydif-
cultquestion.Ifthereareindecencies,forexample,
whichmostlybeginwithchildrenexposingthemselves
toeachotherandsometimestouchingeachother,the
childwillfeelinstinctivelythatthisisnotright.These
indecenciesalmostalwaysinvolvelying.Wemustbe
carefulnottomaketoomuchofsuchthingsamong
children.Itmayonlydrawtheirattentiontothesexual
areaallthemore.Thebestthing,perhaps,istogive
themasmallpunishmentandsoclosethematter,and
thenhelpthemtothinkofotherthings.
Wegrown-upstooeasilyforgetthatmanythingsdo
notmeanthesametoachildastheydotous,andwe
mustneverprojectourideasandfeelingsandexperi-
encesontoachildsmind.Wemustalsoneverforget
thatitisinacertainwaynaturalforchildrentogo
throughperiodsofsexualcuriosity.Thiscannotbe
mis-takenforsin.Butweshouldleadourchildrenin
suchawaythattheirsoulsremainpureandinnocent.
Toomuchquestioningcanharmachild,because
throughfearhemaybecomemoreandmoreentangled
inlies.
Itisagreatinjusticetolabelchildrenoradolescents,
especiallythosewhohaveoffendedinthesexualarea.
Inourassessmentofchildishoffenses,weshouldbe-
wareofcomingtooquicklytoharshconclusionsabout
thecharacterofachildandhisfuturedevelopment.
Rather,weshouldhelphimtondnewinterestsand
tomakeajoyfulnewbeginning.
Weknowthatwecanndthewaytotheheartof
anychildbyappealingtohisconscience.Everychild
hasaninstinctivelonginginhisheartforapurecon-
science,andweshouldsupportthislonging,forhewill
sufferifhisconscienceisburdened.
Thereisacertainpointatwhichachildisnolonger
achildinthetruesenseoftheword.Themomenthe
sinsconsciously,heceasestobeachild.Itisthenthe
taskofhisparentsandteacherstohelphimndrepen-
tance,theexperienceofJesusonthecross,and
aconversionthatleadstotheforgivenessofsins.
Throughthecrossalostchildhoodcanberestored.
Fromaletter:Thereisnoquestionthatchildrendiffer
inhowtheylearn.Somechildrenlearnmorethrough
hearing,somethroughfeeling,somethroughseeing,
andsoon.Wemusttrytobejusttowardeachchild.
Wedonotwanttopusheverychildtowardanaca-
demiccareer;thatwouldbeoutofthequestion.The
mainthingisthatachildissurroundedbylove.
Academicworkshouldandmustbedone,butwoeto
usifitisdoneattheexpenseofthechildlikeheart,or
ofthechildhimself.Thestupidarroganceofteachers
whothinkofthemselvesandothersoftheirchoosing
asintellectuallygifted,totheexclusionofstillothers,
ispuresin.WemustberuledbyChrist,theheadof
theBody.Inhimistruechildlikeness,compassion,
andmercy.
Fromalettertoayoungchild: InordertohearJesus
speaktous,itisimportanttolistentoourhearts.
WhenwefeellovetoGodandtoJesus,toourfather
andmotherandbrothersandsisters,thatisthevoice
ofJesus.
Youth ItisaprivilegetoleadyoungpeopletoJesus,toshow
themhowmarvelousGodsworldisdespitetheterrible
impurity,corruption,anddarknessofourage.For
youngpeopleitisespeciallyimportantthattheirrever-
enceforGodandtheirrespectforfatherandmotheris
neverextinguished,eveniftheydosinconsciously.
Parentsmustseekarelationshipoftrustwiththeir
childrenfromearliestchildhoodonandnotwaituntil
problemsarise,sayaroundtheageofveorsix.If
theywaittoolong,theymaybeabletogainoutward
obedienceonlyandnottheinnerresponseandrespect
necessarytosolveproblemslikelying,indecency,and
disobedience.Butifarelationshipoftrustandrespect
isachieved,itwillbeimpossibleforachildtoresisthis
parents.
Someyoungpeoplegothroughmoredifcultperi-
odsofdevelopmentthanothers,andwemustbecare-
fulnottobetooharshandjudgmentaltowardthem.
Themainthingisthattheyareledtorepentance,
conversion,andfaith.Idonotbelievethatthiscanbe
achievedthroughhardpunishment.Aslongasthere
isevenalittleameofreverenceforGodandparents
withinthem,thewaytotheirheartswillremainopen.
However,wherethelastsparkofreverencehasbeen
extinguishedinayoungperson,onecanonlyghtfor
conversionthroughprayer.Wemustrememberthat
conversioncanneverbebroughtaboutbypersuasion.
Fromaletter: Yoursonisnowanadolescent,and
youhaveabigresponsibility.Iwouldtellhimthatthe
magneticpowersofattractionbetweenboysandgirls
arequitenatural,butthattheymustberuledbyGod
andreservedfortheonepersonwhomGodmight
latergivehiminmarriage.Youcanalsotellhimabout
thephysicalrelationshipbetweenhusbandandwife.I
thinkyouhavealreadylaidagoodfoundationforhis
knowledgeofthefactsoflife,butinhighschoolhe
willhearplentyaboutthesethings,anditisbetterhe
hearsthemfromyourst.
Fromaletter:Iwouldspeakveryclearlyandopenly
toyoursonaboutthephysicalchangeshewillgo
through,andtellhimthatifhekeepshisbodypure
now,itwillnotbedifcultlaterinlife.Ifheisnot
abletokeephimselfpurenow,hewillhaveahard
strugglelater.Iwouldalsotellhimthatsexismeant
onlyformarriage.Thereisnootherplaceforit,and
heshouldkeephimselfpurefortheonegirlGodmay
onedaygivehim.Itmaynotbeeasytoputthisinto
wordseverythingyousaymustbesaidinthelightof
Godandwithreverenceforhim.ButIamsurehewill
showyoutherightway.
Myfatheralwayshadanopenheartforyoungpeople,
buthenevermadeconcessionstoworldlinessoreroti-
cism.Havingabigheartnevermeansmakingconces-
sionstothedevil.
Fromalettertoa17-year-old:Dearbrother,Iamglad
thatyouwanttomakeanewbeginning.Ithinkyou
havebeenaveryproudyoungman.ReadtheOldand
NewTestaments,andyouwillseehowpridehinders
Godfromspeakingtomanandworkinginhim.Your
everydaylifehasrevolvedaroundyourself,thoughI
thankGodthatyounowwanttoturnawayfromyour
self-centeredness.Beanexampleofdedicationand
humility,andbeawitnessforJesusatthehighschool.
Thisissomethingsobadlyneededinourtime.
Fromaletter:IoftenthinkofthewordsofJesus,
Mt.16:26 Whatgoodisitforamantogainthewholeworldat
thepriceofhissoul?especiallywhenIseewhatour
youthistaughttodayintheareaofpsychology.Iam
afraidfortheirsouls.Whatmakesmeuneasyisthat
manslowerinstinctsareputinthecenterandviewed
asharmlesssimplybecausetheyarenatural.Itisater-
riblethingtoteachpeopleaboutthehumansoulwith-
outteachingthemaboutitsrelationshiptoGod.
Fromalettertoadisabledchild: Youhaveaweak
body,butyouhavealivingsoul.ThankGodforthis.
Therearemanypeopleinthisworldwhohaveastrong
bodyandadullsoul.Actuallyallpeople,evenifthey
arestrongandhealthy,dependonGodandonJesus.
Onlysometimestheydonotrealizeit.Thewonderful
thingisthatyoudo.Holdrmlytothis,andJesuswill
leadyouthrougheverything.
Fromaletter:Youarenevertooyoungtogiveyour
lifetoJesus,andyouarenevertooyoungtofeelhis
closeness.Iamthankfulthatyouwanttogiveevery-
thinguptoGodandthatyouwanttobehumble.
Holdontothislongingthroughallstrugglesyour
lifewillsurelybringthem,forthereisnolifeofdis-
cipleshipwithoutneedandstruggle.Iwishyouthe
protectionofGodinallyoumaygothrough.May
thepiercedhandsofJesusholdyourmlyasyouhold
rmlytohim.
Fromaletter:Youareright;themainthingisnot
joiningtheBruderhof,butfollowingChrist.Ifyouare
clearaboutthis,Godwillshowyouthewaytodoit
best.Wewillsupportyouevenifyourwayisnotthe
wayofcommunity.
Fromaletter:TothinkonlyaboutGodsunending
patienceandforgivenessmakeshimintosomething
quitedifferentfromwhathereallyis.Godistobe
feared:itisterribletofallintohishands.Yourideaof
GodisnotGod;itisthetoolofanimpudentyoung
woman.Youhavebeenrunningyourownlife.Iplead
withyoutohavereverenceforthewrathofGod.
Fromaletter:ItisgoodtorealizethatfollowingJesus
maycostmuchsufferingandperhapsevendeathfor
hissake.Inthisconnectionyoumusttakeastand
againsttheevilyoumeetintheworld,alsoatthehigh
Jn.10:14
FamilyTies
school.Icanwellunderstandthatthereisalotthat
temptsyou,especiallyinthewayofimpurity.Butif
youtakeastandforJesus,hisclearlightwillgiveyoua
disgustforallsin.MayJesusguideyoueveryday,and
mayyouneverstrayfromhiswill.
Fromalettertoa13-year-old:Alreadyatyourage
youhavetomakeadecisioneitherfororagainstJesus.
Ifyoudonotdecideforhim,youwilldecideagainst
him.Thisissimplyafact;youcannotsitonthefence.
Fromalettertoacollegestudent: Jesussaysthatheis
thegoodshepherdandthathissheepknowhimand
knowhisvoice.Youbelongtohisock,andIhope
youndmomentsofquiettohearhisvoiceforinner
refreshment.Iknowtherearemanythingsinthecity
thatdistractyouandtireyouout,includingthemany
hoursyouhavetoworkeveryday.Butitremainsthat
yourinnerlifeismoreimportantthanyourgettinga
degree,evenifyouarealreadyveryclosetoreaching
thatgoal.Iencourageyoutoholdon.Itisgoodfor
onescharactertosticksomethingouttotheend.
Christlaiddownhislifeforthechurch,andheloves
herdeeply.ButheisalsotheSaviorofthechurch,and
thechurchissubjecttohim.Inmarriage,thebrideis
comparedtothechurchandthebridegroomtoChrist.
Rev.2:16,23
Eph.5:22-33
Christloveshischurchnotonlywithgentlewords:he
alsodisciplinesherwithsharpness.Wemustbecareful
thatasoftemotionalismdoesnotenterourfamilylife,
eitherbetweenhusbandandwifeorbetweenparents
andchildren.EmotionalismruinstheChristlikeclarity
inarelationship.
Fromaletter:Iunderstandyourstruggletofulllthe
commandmenttohonorfatherandmother.Youwrite
Lk.14:26
Ex.20:12
thatyouloveyourfatherverymuch,andthatisthe
mainthingthatisthesameashonoringhim.But
thefactthatyouhavetodisapproveofhiswaysisalso
rightandtruebeforeGod.Jesussays,Ifanyonecomes
tomeanddoesnothatehisownfatherandmother,
wifeandchildren,brothersandsistersyes,hisown
lifehecannotbemydisciple.Thewordhate
shouldnotshockyou.Jesusdoesnotteachhatred.
Herehatemeanstakingastandagainstsomething
wrong.Ifyouacceptboththispassageandthecom-
mandHonorfatherandmotherasaguide,
Ithinkyouwillndtherightattitudetoyourfather
andmother.
Jesusdemandforholinessreachesevenintotheclos-
Mt.10:37-38
estfamilyrelationships.Hesays,Anyonewholoves
hisfatherormothermorethanmeisnotworthyof
me;anyonewholoveshissonordaughtermorethan
meisnotworthyofme;andanyonewhodoesnottake
hiscrossandfollowmeisnotworthyofme.Ifwe
wanttobedisciplesofJesuswemusttakethesewords
seriously.Jesusalsosays,Bygaininghislife,aman
Mt.10:39
willloseit,butbylosinghislifeformysake,hewill
gainit.SoifweloseourselvescompletelyforJesus
sake,wewillgaineternallife.Butifweclingtoour
ownideasandideals,toourproperty,family,orchil-
dren,wewillloseeverything.
Fromaletter:Ithinkyouhavetiedyourgrownchil-
drentootightlytoyourself,whichhasalsobrought
divisionbetweenyouandyourhusband.Yourdaugh-
terswerenotfreebeforeGod.Parentsmustgivetheir
childrenfreedomalreadywhentheyaresmall,but
evenmoresowhentheyhavegrownup.Idonotmean
freedomtodoevil,butfreedomfromallemotionalties
thatbindtheminawrongwaytofatherandmother.
WeneedtolearnthemeaningofJesuswords,He
Lk.14:26 whodoesnothatefather,mother,wife,andchildren
cannotbemydisciple.Jesusdoesnotmeanafeeling
ofhatred;theNewTestamentsays,Hewhohateshis
1Jn.3:15 brotherisamurderer.Jesusmeansthatwemustput
himrst,abovetheemotionaltiesoffamilylife.Of-
tentheseemotionaltiesaremixedwithmammonism,
thoughnotalways.Wemustbesharponourselvesand
takethedecisivestandofChrist.Itisclearthatafam-
ilywithoutloveisgodless,butafamilyruledbythe
cloudedemotionsofblood-tieswillhavenoloveto
GodandChrist.Letusloveoneanotheronlywiththe
loveofChristandtheloveoftheHolySpirit.Thenthe
God-giventiesbetweenfather,mother,andchildren
willhavehisblessing.
IllnessandDeath
Fromaletter: Allsicknessisaformofevil,yetwe
mustacceptitasfromGodshand.Itisaparadoxa
paradoxthatwecanalsoseeonthecross.Thecross
wasGodswayofredeemingman,butitwasalsoa
workofthedevil.
Fromaletter: Icanwellunderstandthefearyoufeel
inthefaceofyourupcomingoperation;Iwouldalso
beafraid.ButIbelievethatyouareinthehandsof
Godandthatheunderstandsyourfear.IntheBible
thereareendlessencouragingverseswhichtellusnot
tofearbuttoremainrminGod.ThatiswhatIwish
foryou.Giveyourlifetrustinglyintohishands.
Fromaletter: Iwouldadviseyounottobesowor-
riedaboutyourhealth.Itwoulddrivethehealthiest
personcrazytoconstantlyfeelhispulseorlistentohis
heartbeat.Therealquestionisyourfearofdeathand
theunknown.Mostprobablyyouwillstillliveanum-
berofdecades.Butyouwillhavetofacethequestion
ofeternity.Allofusshouldlivelifesoastobeableto
faceeternityatanytime.Shortlybeforemyauntdied,
sheseemedtoglimpseeternity,andshesaid,Itisso
wonderfulsowonderful! Itissomuchmorerealthan
lifedownhereonearth.Thisattitudewasthefulll-
mentofadedicatedlife.Iwishyouthisandgreetyou
withlove.
Fromaletter: Youwritethatyouseemtobegoing
downhillphysically.ButIbelievethatJesuswillhelp
youwithhisloveandpower,ifnotthroughphysical
healing,thenbygivingyouinnerpeaceandjoytobear
yoursickness.IthankGodthatyouarealwaysableto
ndinnerpeaceinturningtoJesus.Itisagiftthatyou
canseeyourneedassmall,atleastinthefaceofthe
needofthewholeworld.Sucharecognitioncancome
onlyfromGod.Iprayforstrengthandguidancefor
you.
Fromaletter: Dontfallpreytoyourdarkandfear-
fulthoughts.Ifyouareafraidofeverythingafraid
ofyourself,yourweakness,yoursinfulness,afraidof
otherpeople,afraidofmakingmistakes,andonand
onyoursoulwillbecomesick.
Youarerightinsaying,Theonlytruehealingis
faithinJesus.Whatawonderfultruththisis! InJesus
allfearsvanish.Holdontothis.
Jas.5:14-16
1Cor.12
Jameswritesthatifsomeoneisseriouslyill,heshould
calltheeldersofthechurch,andtheyshouldprayfor
himandanointhimwithoilinthenameoftheLord.
Healsowritesinthisconnection,Confessyoursins
tooneanotherandprayforoneanother,andyouwill
ndhealing;forthetrueprayeroftherighteoushas
realpower.
Inthissenseweintercedeforsomeonewhoisvery
illwiththelayingonofhands,anointinghiminorder
togivehimourfullinnersupportandfullforgive-
ness ifthereisanythingtobeforgiven.Nomatter
howserioushisillness,hislifeisinthearmsofGod
andthechurch.
Fromaletter: Whatmustwedotoreceivethegiftof
healing?In1Corinthians12itclearlysaysthatthegift
ofhealingisgiventothechurch,althoughnottoevery
member.Theconditionforreceivingsuchagreatgift
isspiritualpovertyandapureheartbeforeGod.Soif
thegiftofhealingisnotgiventous,itisverypossibly
ourownfault.ButitalsomightbethatitisnotGods
will.
ThepowerfulgiftofhealingwhichGodgavethe
Blumhardts*wasremarkable.Yetattheendofhis
lifetheyoungerBlumhardtwithdrewmoreandmore
*JohannChristophBlumhardt(1805-1880),south-Germanpastor,author,
andtheologian;ChristophFriedrichBlumhardt(1842-1919),hissonand
successor.
fromusingthisgift,becausehefeltGodwasnolonger
beinghonoredinthemiraculoushealingsthattook
place.Peoplewerehealed,butonlyintheesh.And
afterwardtheytalkedandboastedabouttheirhealing.
Somewereevenhonoredandgloriedforit.Blum-
hardtfeltthatunlesshealingwasaccompaniedbyre-
pentance,Godcouldnolongerworkthroughhim.
Blumhardtsattitudeshouldchallengeus:when
Godgivesusagift,hewantsustoacceptitquietly.If
thegraceofhealingisgiventous,weourselvesshould
notbehonored;Godshouldbehonored.
Blumhardtoftenwarned,Whengraceisgivento
you,keepitasecretbetweenyouandGod,anddont
makeareligiousshowofit.Remainnaturalandhonor
God.Healsoemphasizedthathealingisnotthemost
importantthing;sicknessisnosin.Itismoreimpor-
tanttogiveyourlifetoGod,evenifyouaresick,than
tobehealedandthenforgetGod.IfGodhealsyou,
bejoyful,butbejustasjoyfulinsickness.
Fromaletter: IntheselastdaysGodhasspokentous
allthroughthesuddendeathinyourfamily.Wewant
tocarryyourpainwithyou.Iknowitwillnotgoaway
quickly.ButitmaybeGodswillthatitdoesnt.Pain
deepenssomethinginonesheartandlife.
Afterthedeathofababy:Itisveryhardtounderstand
whyahumanlifeissentbyGodtoliveonearthfor
onlyonehour.Westandherebeforeamysterythat
Godaloneunderstands.Wemayask,Whydidthis
happen?Why?Why?OnlyGodknows.Andwebe-
lieveinhimandinhisSon,theGoodShepherd,also
forlittlelambssuchasthistinybaby.
Shortlybeforethedeathoftheauthorschild:Wesimply
donotknowwhatthewillofGodiswhetherthis
childisdestinedforlifeornot butwedoknowthatif
itishiswill,thechildwillbecomehealthy.Ifeelitasa
promise,afterthedoctorshavesaidtheycandonoth-
ing,thatifwebelieve,JesusChristcandoanything.
Insomeway,throughthislittlechild,thewillofGod
andthemercyofGodwillbeshown.Onlywhenman
ceasestobeabletodoanythingcantheworkofChrist
begin.Hecanworkonlywhenwegivehimourtrust
andourfaithcompletelyandwithoutreserve.
Weshoulddependonnothingmaterialorexternal,
neitheronmoneynorondoctors,butonJesusChrist
alone.
Afterthedeathoftheauthorschild:Deathisdestruc-
tion;deathisdivisionandseparation.ButJesusunites,
andperfectlifemeansperfectunity.WhereJesusisat
work,unityiscreated.Thereforewechallengeallto
takepartinthisunity.Thosewhodonotgather,scat-
terandseparate,andthosewhoseparateanddestroy
servedeath.ButthosewhouniteserveJesus,andone
dayhewillgatherthemintoeternity.
Jn.5:24-28
Fromaletter: Dearsister,Icanwellunderstandthat
youstillsufferunderthelossofyourfather.Itisnever
easytocopewithdeathandtheneeditbrings;death
istheenemyofGodandwillbeovercomeonlyatthe
lastresurrection.
Butwemustalsoseethatforthosewhohavefol-
lowedChrist,deathmeansclosenesstohim.Itisun-
derstandablethatthethoughtofeternityshakesyou.
Butyoushouldnotlookfearfullyintothefuture.Give
everythingovertoJesus.
Fromaletter: Iamverysorrythatyouhavetobear
suchaheavyloss.Apainfulexperiencelikethis,the
deathofyourchild,alwaysremindsusthatthisearthis
notyetfullyourhome,norwillbeuntilJesusChristis
itsonlyruler,andsin,death,sorrow,fear,andpainare
completelyovercomeandvanquished.Butuntilthat
daythegreatestofalldayswecanbesurethatyour
childandallchildrenareinJesushands.
Inregardtothequestionofprayingforsomeonewho
hasdied,IhavetoadmitthatIdonotknowjustwhat
therightansweris.Idontknowwhetheryouarefa-
miliarwiththefollowingpassagefromtheGospelof
John,orwhetheryouhaveeveraccepteditinyour
heart.Itsays:
Truly,Isaytoyou,hewhohearsmywordand
believesHimwhosentme,haseternallife;he
doesnotcomeintojudgmentbuthaspassed
fromdeathtolife.Truly,Isaytoyou,thehour
iscoming,andnowis,whenthedeadwillhear
thevoiceoftheSonofGod,andthosewhohear
willlive.ForastheFatherhaslifeinhimself,
sohehasgrantedtheSonalsotohavelifein
himselfandhasgivenhimauthoritytoexecute
judgment,becauseheistheSonofMan.Donot
marvelatthis;forthehouriscomingwhenall
whoareinthetombswillhearhisvoice.
ReadthispassageandconsideritdeeplybeforeGod.
Perhapsitwillshowyouthedepthofhislove.
Allmenfeardeath.ButChristpromisessomething
thatovercomesdeathandstandsthroughalleternity:
hiseternallove.Hereissomethingthatreachesinto
thedepthsofbeingandintofuturepathsofforgive-
ness despiteevenphysicaldeathandleadsusinto
thekingdomofGod.
ItisourdailyprayertoexperienceJesusasdwelling
withinus.Butweknowthathealsositsattheright
handoftheFatherandrulesoverangel-worlds,pow-
ers,andprincipalities,aswellasoverhischurch.We
canonlyhaveaninklingofthesupercosmicgreatness
ofthesemysteriousrealities.
Jesustoldhisdisciplesinfarewellthathewould
Jn.14:2 prepareaplaceforthem.Itremainsanawe-inspiring
mysterywhatthisplaceis,andwhatishappeningthere
ineternity,inthestar-worldsandangel-worlds,and
amongthesoulswhohavediedinChrist.WhenSte-
Acts7:55
phenwasbeingstoned,hesawtheheavensopenand
JesusstandingattherighthandofGod,andlaterJohn
Rev.1:14
sawJesuswithamingeyes.IbelievethatwhenJesus
comesagain,we,too,willseehiminperson.
ThebasicrelationshipofmantoGod,ofwhichall
otherrelationshipsaremerelylikenesses,isstronger
thananyhumanrelationship.Ultimately,westand
beforeGod.Thisshowsmostplainlywhenaperson
facesdeath.Anyonewhohasbeenatthebedsideofa
dyingpersonknowshowabsoluteinitssignicanceis
mansinnerrelationshipandoriginalbondwithGod;
herealizesthatintheend,whenhislastbreathsare
drawn,thisrelationshipistheonlythingthatcounts.
WeknowfromtheGospelsthatlovetoGodcannot
beseparatedfromlovetoonesneighbor.Mansway
toGodisthroughhisbrother.Ihaveexperiencedit
myselfatdeathbedsthatifamanlivescompletelyfor
hisfellowmen,thenGodwillbeverycloseinthelast
hour,too.
Fromaletter: Thefactthatyoursonhashadtobear
somuchsufferingandpainalreadyasachildwill
certainlybeofgreatimportanceforhiswholelife,
andalsoforyours.Thatchildrenhavetosufferisvery
strange.Itisasiftheyarebearingsomeoneelsesguilt,
asiftheyaresufferingbecauseofthefallofcreation.
Inawaytheyseemtobepayingthewagesofsineven
thoughitissininwhichtheyhavetakennoactivepart
asofyet.Ihaveoftenthoughtthisover,andIbelieve
thatperhapsthesufferingofchildrenhasaclosecon-
nectionwiththegreatestsufferingeverendured:Gods
suffering,Christssufferingforlostcreation.Foritis
childrenwhoarecloserthananyoneelsetotheheartof
Jesus,andhepointstothemasanexampleforus.That
iswhyIbelievethatthesufferingofaninnocentchild
alwayshasgreatsignicanceforthechurch.
Intimesofsuffering,themostimportantthingis
tokeepandprotectyourinnerjoy,whichisJesus,the
RisenOne.Thenhispower,whichisthepowerof
light,willalsobethepowerofhealing.
Theghtofanyindividualagainstsicknessordeath
showsusthestruggleinwhichweallareplacedthe
struggleagainstdarkness.Whenanattackofdarkness
comesuponus,wemustputourselvescompletelyon
thesideofthelightofJesus.Weshouldnotdespair
whenhumanstrengthceases,foritisjustatthatmo-
mentthatChristcanbegin.AswereadintheGospel
Jn.12:35
ofJohn,Thelightiswithyouyetalittlewhile.Walk
whileyouhavethelight,lestdarknesscomeupon
you.
EvilandDarkness
Wearelivinginatimewhenmanypeopleeitherbe-
littleevilordontbelieveitexistsatall.Becauseofthis
theyunderstandneitherthegreatnessofGolgothanor
theheavinessofGodsnaljudgment.Thisjudgment,
whichisdescribedintheRevelationofJohn,cannotbe
understoodunlesswegraspthepowerofevil.Ifevilis
seenasnothingespeciallyserious,thenthereisnoneed
toputupaseriousghtagainstit.
Thecrosswouldnothavebeennecessaryifthe
powerofevilwerenotsoterrible.Ihaveheardpeople
ask,WhycouldntGodforgivesinwithoutthesacri-
ceofJesus?Thisisatemptingquestion,butoncewe
recognizetheimmensepoweroftheevilthatGodhad
toght,wewillknowthereisnoforgivenesswithout
thecross.
Therearepeoplewhotrytounderstandthedepths
andsecretsofSatanorwhotrytodiscoverthesource
ofevil.Certainlythisisunderstandable,butitisnot
godly.Theheartsoftoomanypeopleinoursocietyare
burdenedandtroubledwithwhattheyhavelearned
aboutmurder,fornication,andotherevils.Atrue
Christianshouldbeachildtowardevilandhaveno
experienceinitssecrets.
Modernmanthinkstoomaterialistically;hedoesnot
seethatthereisapowerofgoodandapowerofevil
quiteapartfromhim,andthatthecourseofhislife
dependsonthepowertowhichheopenshisheart.
AsayoungmanIlivedinNaziGermany,andI
knewpeopletherewhowereactuallyquiteharmless
butwhoweregrippedanddrivenbysomethingvery
evil.Andeventhoughthereweremanymorethan
weknowwhodiedinprotestingthisevil,themajor-
itygaveintoit.Itwasnotonlyafewmenrulingover
anation;Germanywasruledbyevilspiritualpowers
ordemons.
Webelievethattoday,asinChriststime,demons
canbedrivenoutandawayandthatwhenChrist
returnstotheearth,allmenwillliveincompletefree-
dom,althoughjudgmentmustcertainlytakeplace
rst.
Werunintotheoccultagainandagain,especiallyin
collegesandhighschools.Yetwesharplyrejectany
formofcontactwithdemonicpowers,andwewarn
ourchildrenagainstsuchcontacttoo.Therearethings
ofSatanwhichweshouldknownothingabout.Toput
itplainly,weshouldbeignorantofthosethings.We
simplydonotwanttoknowanythingaboutthem.
Nowadaysoccultismisoftenregardedasjustanother
sciencetobestudied.Butwewantnothingtodowith
it.
ApersonwholivesachildlikelifeinJesusdoesnot
needtofearpossessionbyanevilspirit.Ontheother
hand,someonewhohaspracticedmagicorsorcery
doeshavereasontobeafraid.Werejecteventhemost
harmlessformsofspiritualism,aswellassupersti-
tiouspracticessuchaswearinghealthrings,tipping
tables,ortalkingwiththedead.Thesethingsmaystart
innocently,buttheycanbindapersontoSatanwith-
outhisrealizingit.Theyhavenothingtodowitha
childlikefaithinJesus.
WeaskforGodsjudgmentsothathislightmay
breakin.Themorestronglyhislightbreaksinand
themorestronglytheloveofhisonlybegottenSon
burnsinourhearts,themoreclearlywillhistruthbe
revealed.WhenJesuscomesandtouchesmenwith
hislight,itmeansjudgmentaswellasfreedomand
redemption.Alldoubts,allthingsthatchainand
burdenmen,allthesinsthatholdthemdown,are
touched,andmenarefreed.Thisfreeingandredemp-
tionbroughtaboutbythebreakinginofChristslight
isgiventothewholeworld,asisalsothefaithbrought
Jn.12:47 byhim.ForChristsaidthathecamenottojudgethe
worldbuttosaveit.
Christwantsthosewhoaremostoppressedanddes-
olatetoturntothelightandbesaved.Justthosewho
aremostcrushed,whofeelthemselvesmostunworthy
andburdened,shouldallowthemselvestobetouched
andmovedbyGodsgreatlove.Andoncetheyfeelit,
theywillknowthattheyareincludedandfreedbyit.
TheyaretheveryonesJesustooktohimself:theevil-
doers,thetaxcollectors,theprostitutes,thedespised
ofmen.Hedidnotcriticizethosewhowerepossessed;
hefreedthem.Butintheirfreeingwasjudgment,for
darknesswasrevealedanddrivenout.Evilwasinno
wayignored,butmenwerefreedfromit.
Fromaletter: UntilJesuscomesbackandfreesus
completely,wewillalwayshavetoghtsinonthis
earth.Thisghtisrstastruggleagainstthelower
nature.Second,itisabattleofspirits,abattleagainst
Satanandhisdemons.Yourfallwasnotonlyamatter
ofyourlowernature;itwasalsosatanic.TheBiblesays
Lk.22:3 thatwhenJudasbetrayedJesus,Satanenteredinto
him.Iwouldnotdaretosaythisaboutyou,butIdo
thinkyoursituationtendsinthatdirection.Idonot
thinkSatancouldhaveenteredJudasifJudashadnot
soldhimselftohimrst.Judashadalreadygonetothe
highpriest;hehadalreadyacceptedthesilverpieces
whenhewenttothepaschalmealwithJesus,where
Satanenteredintohim.
Evenifthiscomparisonistoostrongtoapplyto
you,youdidopenyourhearttoevilpowers.Where
andwhendidthisbegin?Donotforgetthattruere-
morseisawonderfulexperience,notonetobefeared.
Ifyouexperiencerealrepentance,youwillbegrateful
forityourwholelifelong.
Itisahorrifyingthingthatman,whowascreatedin
theimageofGod,hasbuiltbombsthathavethepower
towipeoutmillionsofpeopleinaveryshorttime.
Wemustrepent!Thefactthatourcountryhassuch
weaponsshowstheneedforustodedicateourselves
tosomethingcompletelydifferent.Forsomepeople
itmightmeanpoliticsworkingandghtingforthe
electionofresponsiblecitizenswhowouldneveruse
theseweapons.Wehavegreatrespectforthis.Butour
oppositionmustbemuchdeeper.Thespiritthatdrives
mentobuildweaponsisevil,andwecanghtitonly
bylivingforthegoodspirit.
WecannotgothewayofJesuswithoutpersonal
change.Ifweclaimtofollowhimbutliveinimpurity,
forexample,thenwehavenorighttospeakoutagainst
thingssuchasinjustice.Wearenotghtingagainst
eshandbloodgoodpeopleagainstevilpeople
butagainstpowersandprincipalitiesofdarkness.
Ifwecommitasinfulact,wegiveroomtoanevil
demoninourownlifeandsurroundings.Wehaveto
seethisrealistically:evilisnotsomethingabstract.In
Lk.8:30
theBible,somedemonsevenhavenames.Thereisno
excuseforanyone,especiallyforsomeonewhoclaims
tobeacommittedChristian,togiveroomtodemons
inhislifeortoservetheminanyway.Ifhedoes,they
willharmnotonlyhimbutthecommunityaround
him.
Fromaletter: Thelifeofthechurchissomething
extremelypreciousandimportanttoJesus.Thusthe
dangerofSatanattackingthesoulofthechurchis
constantandverygreat.Blumhardt*writesthatwhen
JesuswascommissionedbytheheavenlyFatherto
bringforthchildrenoflight,heforesawthatSatan
wouldfollowhimandproducechildrenofevil,and
thatthesechildrenofevilwouldourisheveninside
thechurchofChristinthesoilwhereonlychildrenof
lightshouldgrow.Thisisveryterrible,butitissome-
thingwehavetoface.Itismostlikelytohappenwhen
humanpowertakesoverwhereChristspoweralone
shouldrule.
JesussaidthatallmenwillseetheSonofManseated
Mk.14.62 attherighthandofthePower.HecallshisFather
thePower.Thatisthegreatestrealityamuchgreat-
errealitythanourmortallife.Ifweareafraidofthe
EvilOne(andsuchfearcanbeveryreal)wecanalways
trustinJesus.Hetooisreal.Heisattheheartofthe
throneofGod.Heis theheartofthechurch,thehead
*Seefootnotep.109.
ofthechurch,andheunderstandsourhearts,which
weourselvesdonotunderstand.
Itisagreatmistaketothinkthatwecanunderstand
ourownhearts.Wemayunderstandourselvessuper-
cially,butonlyGodreallyknowsourhearts.Therefore,
evenifwesuffertheseveresttemptations,trials,andat-
tacksbytheEvilOne,wecanalwaysturntoGodwith
trustandgreathopesforvictory.
PeacecanbefoundonlyinthecruciedOne.Not
eventheunitedchurchisenough.Theonlyplace
wecanndpeaceandrestisGolgotha.Weourselves
cannotwashawayamurderousoranadulterousact.
Theonlywaytobecomefreefromdarknessistoturn
tothelight,confessoursin,andcometothecross.
Rev.1:5
There,aswereadinRevelation,thebloodofChrist
Rev.7:14
cancleanseus.
Fromaletter: Ihaveheardyourdesperatecryforhelp,
andIhavegreatunderstandingforyou.Yourthoughts
frightenyousomuchthattheygainpoweroveryou.
Youmustturnfromthisfear.Throughityouyourself
suggestthesethoughtsintoyourheart,andtheneven
moredesperateandterriblefears,anxieties,andneeds
enteryou.
Dontletyourfearsshakeyou.Ifyoucandropthem
andtrustinGod,manythingswillbecomedifferent.
NeverdoubtinGodshelpandintervention.Iassure
youthathelovesyouandthatheismuchclosertoyou
thanyouknow.
Mt.28:20
Jesuspromisesusthathewillbewithusalways,until
theendofalldays.Butweshouldnotunderestimate
thedarkpowersofimpurity,mammonism,murder,
hatred,andunforgivenesssurroundingus,whichat-
tackbrothersandsistersinthechurch.Jesusmusthave
foreseenthatthechurchwouldbeattackedbythe
Mt.16:18 powersofhell,becausehetoldPeterthatthesepowers
wouldnotovercomeit.Weneedtowatchandprayall
thetime.
Togetherwiththerestofsufferinghumankind,we
longthatthedemonicnetthatstillcoverstheearthbe
rentevenifitmeansgreatturmoil.Webelieveitwill
beremovedinGodstimethroughthebreakinginof
hiskingdom.
Lk.11:15
Lk.11:17:18
TheFight
Theinvisiblepowersthatsurroundusmenonearth
canbringeithergreatsufferingorgreatjoy.Thereare
powersofGodthatbringpeace,justice,joy,forgive-
nessofsins,andcommunity.Thesepowersareembod-
iedinJesusChrist.Buttherearealsodarkpowersof
murder,envy,ambition,andinjustice.They,too,are
invisible,butoncetheytakeholdofapersonssoul,
theydrivehimtocommitvisibledeedsofevil.
Wemustgraspthatthepowerswearetalkingabout
arenotabstractjustbecausetheyareinvisible.Weare
dealingwithsomethingabsolutelyrealnotwitha
philosophyorateaching,butwithpowersofdarkness
andlight,goodandevil,destructionandunity;with
powersthatwanttokillandpowersthatwanttomake
usalive.
WhenJesusdroveoutdevilsfrompeoplewhowere
possessed,hehealedtheirsoulsandhearts.Hisene-
miessaid,Hedrivesoutthedevilwithagreaterdev-
il.ButJesusanswered,IfIweretodriveoutthedevil
withagreaterdevil,hiskingdomwouldbedividedand
wouldcollapse.Thedevilsarmyisverydisciplined:it
knowshowtoattackasoul,aunitedgroupofpeople,
orevenanation.
WeknowfromtheGospelthatthewholeearthisa
battleeldforGodandthedevil,andsoiseveryhu-
manheart.Wesimplyhavetoreckonwithitthatthe
devilwillbefuriouswhentwoorthreeormoreare
completelyunitedinJesus.
TherewasneveraercerbattlebetweenGodand
SatanthanthatfoughtbyJesusatGolgotha.Iteven
seemedtoJesusthatGodhadforsakenhim.Butin
spiteofthis,helaidhissoulandspiritintothehands
oftheFatherintrust.Thenthevictorywaswon,not
onlyforthisearthbutforallpowers,principalities,
andangels.
Fromaletter: Ourghtisnotagainsteshandblood,
notagainstpeople;itisaghtfortheatmosphereof
thetruechurchfortheatmosphereofGodineachof
ourcommunitiesandintheheartofeachbrotherand
sister.Allofusgothroughpainandjudgment,butthis
shouldnotbetheend;judgmentisonlythebeginning
ofnewjoy,hope,andthevictoryofredemption.It
shouldfreeusforlove,forservice,andforGod.
TheatmosphereateachBruderhofmustcontinually
berenewedtobecomeanatmosphereoflove,purity,
andeverythingelseJesusrepresented.Onlythencan
lovestreamoutfromustoallpeople.Forthiswemust
prayandghtagainandagain.
TheideathatJesusbroughtanewphilosophyor
foundedareligioniscompletelyfalse.Hisperson,
hisspirit,hiscause,hishealing,isnotaphilosophy
likethatoftheGreeksorEgyptians.Hewasandisa
person,anditishehimselfwhomeetsus.Ilovethe
words,UnlessyoueattheeshoftheSonofManand
Jn.6:53 drinkhisblood,youhavenolifeinyou.Thatisnot
thephilosophyofsomegreatman;itisJesushimself.
NoonecanbeindifferenttoJesus.Onemustde-
cideforhimoragainsthim.Thefactthatwearesin-
fuldoesnothinderusfromcomingtoJesus.Being
temptedwillnothinderusfromcomingtohimeither.
EveniftheEvilOnetormentsus,thatwillnothinder
us.ButwecannottolerateindifferencetoJesus,and
neithercanwetolerateanyhumanefforttointerpret
him.Ifweexperiencenotinourmindsbutinour
Jn.1:29
heartsthemeaningofthewordsThisistheLamb
ofGod,whocarriesthesinsoftheworldorForthe
Heb.9:15
forgivenessofsinshetookthisdeathuponhimself,
wewillseethatitisnotaphilosophy,butlife.
WeneedtoexperienceJesusinhisheightanddepth
andbreadth.Andwemustunderstandthecross,
whichstoodrmandstillstands,inaspiritualsense.It
reachesupintoheaven,tothethroneofGod,andits
outstretchedarmsarestillthereforalosthumankind.
Fromaletter: Brothersandsisters,letusbewide
awake,becausewheneverGodwantstodosomething
goodamongmen,thedevilmakeseveryeffortto
destroyit.ThinkofthetemptationofJesusafterhis
baptism:hewastemptedbythedevilbecausehisheart
wassopure,andbecausehebelongedcompletelyto
God.
Nothingismoreannoyingtotheprinceofthis
worldthanachurchinitsrstlove.InRevelation,
Rev.2-3 wecanreadhowalreadyinJohnstimethedevilsuc-
ceededinharmingthechurch.Thishappenedtosuch
anextentthatJesushadtotellonecongregationthatit
Rev.3:1 onlyhadthenameofbeingalive,butwasinfactdead.
Yeteventhenhegavethatchurchachancetowakeup,
tochange,andtoreturntoatrueandgenuinelove.
IbelieveifIdarespeakfrommydeepestheart
thatJesuswantstocometousasintimatelyasifhis
bloodwereourblood,tocleanseuscompletely.
Fromaletter: Iprotestagainsttheideathatitiswrong
toreactwithstrongemotionorexcitementwhenGod
isattacked,whenbrothersandsistersaremistreated,or
whenthechurchisharmed.IdonotthinkJesuswas
calmandcollectedwhenhedrovethemoneychangers
outofthetemple,whereGodshonorwasatstake.I
willprotestmywholelifelongagainstcoolsoberness
inthefaceofcrueltyoranythingelsethatdestroys
Godswork.
InourconcernforGodswork,thetendencytojudge
meninatheoreticalwayisoneofthegravesttempta-
tions.Weneedsuchanoutpouringofthespiritof
Goduponusthateverythinginusandamongusis
revealed.Followingthis,clarityanddecisivenesswill
comeofthemselves.WemustbeseechGodmostear-
nestlyforthislovetoChristsothatalldarknessand
evilinourhouseholdisrevealed.
IfwegiveourselvesoverinfaithtoGodandtoJesus,
wewillbecleansed.Inhisfarewellwords,Jesussays,
Jn.15:5 Iamthetruevine;youarethebranches.Hesays
Jn.5:1-2
thatifwearetobearfruit,wewillneedtobecleansed,
andtheknifeofthegardenerwillneedtocutintoour
hearts.AsdisciplesofJesusweneedthiscleansing,this
knife,thissharpnessinourheartsandourlives.Ifwe
rejectthegardenerwhocleansesus,weareunfaith-
fulintheeyesofGod,andwewillnotbeabletobear
fruit.
ArewereadytohaveChristsWordcutdeeplyinto
us,orwillwerepeatedlyprotectandhardenourselves
againstit?Wedonotrealizehowoftenwestandin
Godsway.Butwecanaskhiminhismercyandlove
tocutuswithhisWordevenifithurts.
WeshouldputourwholetrustinGodalone.Yetwe
alsoneedtotrustoneanother.Wecannotlivewithout
Jn.18:15-27
Rev.3:1
trustingoneanother,eventhoughweknowthatmen
cananddofail.PeterdeniedJesusthreetimes,yethe
wasoneofthemosttrustedapostles.Hefailed,but
thenhewentawayandweptbitterly.Thereisnoother
wayforuseither,thantorepentasdeeplyandtoweep
asbitterlyashedid.
Evenifwehavetorecognizethatwehavefailed,we
mustnotseeeverythingasblackorthinkthefounda-
tionhasbeentakenawayfromunderourlives.Gods
judgmentisGodsgoodness;itcannotbeseparated
fromhismercyandcompassion.Ifwerepentdeeply
andbecomehumblebeforeGod,wewillbecome
nothing,andthenChristcanliveinus.
ItiscertainlysinfultouseGodsworkinginusto
buildupourownpride.Butitisalsosinfultodeny
Godsworkingwhenwefailhim.Ourfailuresshould
leadustohumilityandtoGod.
Perhapstheworstthingthatcanbesaidagainsta
churchiswhatwaswrittentothechurchatSardis:
Thoughyouhavethenameofbeingalive,youare
dead.Ifachurchisdead,itislikethesaltspokenof
intheSermonontheMount,whichhaslostitstaste
andwillbethrownawayandtroddenupon.Every
churchisindangerofgoingtosleep,oflosingitslife.
YetJesussaysthatifhendslifeeveninafew,hewill
havepatienceandgivethemtimetorepent.
IntheshorthistoryofourBruderhofwehave
knownthestruggleforpurityinourchurch.Wehave
Mt.5:13
Col.3:12-17
knownthestruggleagainstdeadnessandagainstbeing
achurchthathasthenameofbeingalivebutisinac-
tualfactdead.YeteachtimeJesuschastisesus,hegives
ustimetorepent,asachurchandasindividuals.
OnepassageintheGospelhasbecomeveryclearto
us:wemustbesalt.Wehaverealizedwithashudder
howdangerousitisforthechurchiftheavorand
powerofitssaltislost.Saltgivestastetosomething
tasteless,andsaltwardsoffdecay.Ourageneedssalt.
Weareguiltyofhavingtoleratedfalsespiritsfortoo
long.Jesuswarnsusverysharplyagainstfalseprophets
andagainstthosewhospeakofpeacewherethereisno
peace,oroflovewherethereisnolove.
Fromaletter: WemustndthewaytofollowJesus
commandtoforgiveothersjustasheforgivesus,but
atthesametimewemustbeclearandletnodarkness
comeintothechurch.Thisissometimesagreatten-
sionforme.InColossians3:1217,Paulsaysthatwe
shouldhaveunderstanding,forgiveness,andkindness
inourheartstowardourbrother.Thesewemusthave.
Still,thespiritualstruggleweareinmakesitade-
quatelyclearthatwecannotallowanythingdarkinto
thelifeofthechurch.MayGodhelpustondhis
andonlyhis wayoutofthistension.
WhenGodalonerulesineveryheartwewillhavea
healthycommunity,fullofjoy,fullofdedication,and
fulloflove.Everyonewillfeelthisintheatmosphere.
Eachmemberwillgotoanotherandaskforgiveness
forwherehehascausedhurtorharmedloveinthe
past.Andthiswillbedonenotbecausesomeonehas
saiditshouldbedonebutoutofaninnerurge.
Everychurchneedsvoicesthatdaretospeakfor
Christ,evenwhenthisispainfulforthepersonspeak-
ingaswellasforothermembers.Butspeakingout
mustalwaysbedoneintheloveofChrist,otherwise
itisasin.
1Jn.3:8 Jesuscametoearthtodestroytheworksofthedevil,
andhehasmillionsofangelsofGodathisdisposalto
helphiminthisspiritualstruggle.ButSatanalsohas
manyangels evilspirits,devils,anddemons athis
disposal.
Thisspiritualstruggleshowsitselflikethis:the
HolySpirit,whichisthespiritofJesus,helpsusto
ndGodandtogiveushisthoughtsandhislove.This
spirithelpsustoovercomeallevilandimpureemo-
tions.Atthesametime,thedevilworksinourhearts,
givingusthoughtsofevil,impurity,murder,envy,
mistrust,andthedesireforpower.Yetallofushave
guardianangelswhowillprotectusifwefollowwhat
isgood.
Christmustcometothedeepestdepthsofourinner
being,deeperthanourconsciousthoughts,deeperthan
ourusualfeelingstotheuttermostdepths.Everyper-
sonwhoknowssomethingofdeepinnerstruggleshas
aninklingofthis.ThroughChristhecanndcourage
tobelieveagainstallunbelief,evenwheretherewas
neveranyhopeforbelief,andstrengthtohopeagainst
allhopeofndingloveinanotherperson.
Fromaletter: Itisunderstandablethatyouareafraid
ofwhatothersthinkofyou.Butevenifitisunder-
standable,itisasin.Whenwearecompletelydepen-
dentonGod,wewillhavethecouragetostandup
toanyonewhoviolatesourownconscienceorthatof
anyoneelse,ortoanyonewhomistreatsanother.Itis
asintobesilentoutoffear.Ihavecommittedthissin
manytimesinmylife,butIhavealsoseenthebitter
fruititbroughttomyselfandtothewholechurch.
Allofusknowthestrugglesofthehumanheart,
yetwehavetoseebeyondthem.Wehavetoseethe
struggleofthewholechurchagainstdarkness.Itisan
enormousstruggle.Andultimately,wehavetoseeitall
inrelationtothemuchgreaterstruggleofthewhole
universe,whichisledbyGodwithhisarmiesofthou-
sandsandthousandsofangelsandhisstarsoflight,
music,andharmony.
Mt.5:13
Youaresalttotheworld.Andifsaltbecomestasteless,
howisitssaltinesstoberestored?Itisgoodfornoth-
ingbuttobethrownawayandtroddenunderfoot.
Ifwearetobesaltwecannotbediplomatswhoagree
withtheargumentsofevil;wecannotbefair.We
mustbecompletelyandwhollyone-sidedinourloy-
altytoGodandtoJesus.
Fromaletter: WehavetomakeadecisionforChrist,
Mt.12:30 otherwisewewillturnagainsthim.Theworldsitu-
ationimpelsustotakeastandforChrist astand
againstviolence,injustice,hatred,andimpurity.We
mustwitnesstothisnotonlyinwordsbutindeeds.
Ourlivesmustprovethatthereisabetterway.
FromtheCovenantoftheLordsSupper*
WedeclareourselvesinunityunderGodsjudgment
andmercy.
WevowthatwewanttoliveinreverenceforGod,for
Christ,andforhisHolySpirit.
Thecross,wheretheforgivenessofsinscanbefound,
isthecenterofourlife.
WedeclarewaragainstallirreverencetowardGod,his
Christ,andhischurch.
*TheCovenantoftheLord'sSupperwaswrittenbyHeinrichArnoldand
signedbyallbaptizedmembersoftheBruderhofonDecember30,1975,
afterayearofintensestruggle,toclarifythepositionofthebrotherhoodon
severalimportantissues.
WedeclarewaragainstthemisuseofthenameofGod,
ofChrist,andoftheHolySpirit.
Wedeclarewaragainstallirreverencetowardthechild-
likespiritofJesusasitlivesinchildren,andwe
wanttoghtforthoseolderchildreninwhomthe
childlikespirithasbeenpartlylost.
Wedeclarewaragainstallemotionalorphysical
crueltytowardchildren.
Wedeclarewaragainstthesearchforpoweroverthe
soulsofotherpeople,includingchildren.Weseek
theatmosphereofthechurchandoftheangelsof
God.
WevowtoprayforthelightofJesussothatallwho
areinbondageortormentedbyevilthoughtsmay
befreed,andsothatallthosewhoservedarkness
mayberevealedandcalledtorepentance.
Wedeclarewaragainstthespiritofmammonandall
falseloveconnectedwithmammon.
Wedeclarewaragainstallhumangreatnessandall
formsofvanity.
Wedeclarewaragainstallpride,includingcollective
pride.
Wedeclarewaragainstthespiritofunforgiveness,en-
vy,andhatred.
Wevowtolaydownbeforethecrossourownpower
andourowngreatness.
Wedeclarewaragainstanydegradingofothers,
includingthosewhohavefallenintosin.
Wedeclarewaragainstallcrueltytoanyone,evenifhe
hassinned.
Wedeclarewaragainstallformsofmagicorcuriosity
aboutsatanicdarkness.
Weaskforthecouragetorejoiceinsufferingand
persecutionforthecauseofright.
Weaskforforgivenessofoursins,becausewithout
Jesusourheartsandouractionscannotbepure.
WepraytolivefortheworldasJesusexpresseditin
Jn.17:21 John17:thatwemayallbeoneasChristisone
withtheFather,sothattheworldmaybelievethat
ChristwassentbytheFather.WithChristweask
nottobetakenoutofthisworldbuttobeprotect-
edfromthepowerofevil.
WeaskChristtoconsecrateourbrotherhoodthrough
histruth.ChristsWordisthetruth.Weaskthathe
maysendusouttobealightinthisworld.
WorldSuffering
1Tim.6:10
Ifwelookfortherootsofsuffering,wewillndthem
inpossessivenessandthespiritofmammon.This
Jn.8:44
spiritisofSatan,whoisamurdererfromthebegin-
ning,asJesussaid.Itbringsdarknessanddeath.Many
whoserveittrytohidebehindmarvelousideals.But
despitetheseidealsthefruitsofthisspiritareinjustice
anddeath,andthesearethecauseofthesufferingof
ourtimeandofalltimes.Ifwelookatworldsuffering
honestly,wewillseehowcloselyitisconnectedwith
ourownguiltandtheguiltofallmentoday,andwe
willalsorecognizethatsincethissufferingisallone,
wearepartofitandmustsufferwithallotherswho
suffer.
Thereissomuchpainontheearth! Ifwearelled
withGodslove,wewillexperiencethispainourselves;
wewillfeelsomethingoftheneedofchildren,the
elderly,thementallydisturbed,theunwanted,andthe
starving.Butifweseeonlythesufferingoftheworld,
ourviewiscompletelyone-sided.ForGodssakewe
mustrecognizeandproclaimthefactthatsufferingis
afruitofthegreatsinandguiltoftheworld,afruitof
mansrebellionagainstGod.
OnlyGodknowshowmuchoftheworldsneedissin
andhowmuchofitissuffering.Ithasbeensaidthatif
oneweretoputtheeviloftheworldononesideofa
scaleanditssufferingontheother,thescalewouldbal-
ance.Idonotknowifthisistrue,butitisquiteclear
thatsinandsufferinggotogether.War,forexample,is
sin,butitalsoinvolvesenormoussuffering.Godsees
boththesinandthesuffering.
WebelieveinGodsindescribablelongingtosavehu-
mankindnotonlyfromitsneedbutalsofromitssin.
Itisirreverenttotalkofworldneedwithoutseeingthe
hurtdonetoGodbyworldsin,whichisalsooursin.
IfitwerenotforGodslongingtoseekmen
throughJesus,therewouldbenothingbutinnerand
physicaldeathonearth.JesusistheLambofGodwho
carriesthesinsoftheworld.Heistheanswerthe
onlyanswertoallsinandneed.
Whenweseetheworldschurchesastheyaretoday,
wheremoneyhassomuchpowerandthereissolittle
compassionforthepoor,weshouldfeelchallenged
toreachoutmore.Weknowthattherstbelieversin
thechurchatRomefedtheirownpoorandthepoor
ofthewholecity.*TheylivedintherstloveofJesus,
andthatiswherewearefoundwanting.Thehourde-
mandsthatwereturntothisrstlove.
Mt.25 Fromaletter: InMatthew25Jesusspeaksofthosewho
arehungry,thirsty,naked,andinprison.We,too,are
concernedaboutthesepeople,aboutthehungerand
wantoftheworld.Butwhatshouldwedo?Welive
toowell.Weshouldeatlessanddowithless,soasto
sharewiththepoor.TheearlyChristiansfastedforone
ortwodaysaweeksoastogivefoodtothehungry.
Wearenotdoingenoughbysharingjustamongour
ownbrothersandsisters.Weshouldappointatleast
onebrotherfromeachofourcommunitiestoseekout
peopleinneed,tobringthemfoodandclothing,and
toseethattheyhaveadequateheating,andsoon.
Fromaletter: Yousaythatthepoorhavenolonging
forGod,thattheyarecompletelydullandindifferent,
thatyouyourselfhavespenttimeinaboardinghouse
fortramps,andthattheywantednothingelsethanto
gettothetopthemselves,tooppressothers,andsoon.
Youevensaythatthereisnopointintryingtohelp
suchpeopletheywantnothingelseanyway.
Dearbrother,thisisnotthespiritoftheloveof
Jesus.Itistruethatmanypeopleareinwardlydull,but
*EberhardArnold,ed.TheEarlyChristians(Rifton,NY:Plough,1970),
pp.17-19
thisapathyisanexpressionoftheirneed.Itisasign
probablytheworstsignofhowstronglySatan,the
enemyofJesusandthemurdererfromthebeginning,
stillrulesoverpeople.Dontyourealizehowdeeplyit
mustgrieveJesuswhenwetalkabouttheneedofour
fellowmeninsuchacoldandsuperiorway?
DoyouthinkJesushadthisattitude?Doyou
believehewouldhavediedforusifhehadfeltthis
way?Wecannottalklikethisaboutthepoorandop-
pressedno,wearecalledtoloveourfellowmen,and
especiallythosewhoaresobadlyoffthattheycanno
longerseethewayahead.
Fromaletter: Toofferanightslodgingtoahome-
lesspersonhasalwaysbeenafundamentalprincipleof
theBruderhof.Thepolicehavesometimesbroughtus
homelesspeople,evenfamilieswithchildren,inthe
middleofthenight,andwehavealwaysfoundaway
ofgivingthemaplacetosleep.
UnderHitlersregimetheGermansecretpolice
forbadetheBruderhoftotakeinanyguests.Butwe
informedthemthatwewouldneverrefuseanights
lodgingtoanyone,evenifthepolicedisapprovedofit;
wewouldneverclosethedoortoahomelessperson.
Wewouldloseourwholewitnessifwewerenot
evenwillingtogiveanightslodgingtoapersonin
need.Butthemainthingislove.Paulsaysthateven
1Cor.13:3 ifwegiveallourpossessionstothepoorbuthaveno
love,itwillbeofnouse.
IntherstyearsoftheBruderhof,wheneveranunwed
mothercametoourhouseinsearchofaplacetostay,
myfatherwouldinviteherforatleasttwoorthree
nights.Severalofthesewomenhadbeenthrownoutof
theirhomes,sotheystayedon,andsomehadtheirba-
bieswhilewithus.Wealsohaddrunkards,thieves,and
peoplewhowerewantedbythepolice.Onceamur-
dererwhohadservedmorethantwentyyearsinprison
livedwithus.Myparentswerenotworriedaboutthe
possiblerepercussionsofexposinguschildrentosuch
situations.Butwewereneverexposedtosexualimpu-
rity.Iftherewasindecentbehavioronthepartofthose
wetookin,myfatherdidnottolerateit.
Noneofthesepeoplejoinedus,andIdontthink
anyofthemhadanyinterestinusasachurch;they
werejusthomeless.Butmyfatherneverrefusedany
ofthemaroof.TheBiblesaysthatbygivingshelterto
Heb.13:2
strangers,manyhaveentertainedangelswithoutknow-
ingit.
Inthesedaysofviolentupheavalinourcountry,the
extremerightisveryactive.*Atthesametime,others
withhighidealswhospeakoutforrighteousnessand
justiceamongmenandnationsarealsoveryactive.
Wecannotstandaside.Ifpeoplegotoprisonandgive
theirlivesfortheirbeliefs,wecanhaveonlythedeep-
estrespectandreverenceforit.Butweshouldalso
*WrittenJune13,1964
longandstriveforarighteousnessdeeperthanone
basedontherightsofmen.
Iamconcernedaboutanincidentthathasoccurred
locally,andIdontknowhowweshouldrespond.*A
manfromourneighborhoodwasbeatenstruckover
theheadtwice becauseheremovedanti-Semiticpost-
ersthathadbeendisplayedpublicly.Howshouldwe
protestsuchviolence,andhowshouldwewitnessto
loveandjustice?Ontheonehand,thereisadangerof
gettingtooinvolvedinpolitics;itisntourtask.Onthe
otherhand,wecannotbesilentaboutinjusticeinour
ownneighborhood;wecannotsimplybecomplacent
andsaythatitisntourbusiness.HavinglivedinGer-
manyinthe1930s,Iknowwhatitmeanswhenpeople
aresilentinsuchmatters.Hitlerwasabletotakeover
Germanyonlybecausesomanypeopledidnotdareto
protestorgetinvolved.
Theworldisheadinginaseriousdirection;thearms
racehasmenpreparingformassmurdersuchasthe
worldhasneverseen.InVietnampeoplearebeing
tortured,wounded,andkilleddaily.Whatisourre-
sponsibility?Wemustaskourselvesthisquestionquite
openly.Wehavedoneverylittle.Wehavejoinedthe
marchesagainstracialinjusticeintheSouth,andwe
*WrittenApril12,1964
WrittenAugust22,1965
havespokenoutagainstthewarinVietnam.Wehave
visitedoursenatorsandrepresentativestotellthemof
ourconcern,butallthisisverylittle.
Weknowthatthepast,thepresent,andthefuture
lieinGodshands,andifwegiveourselvestoGodwe
mustbereadytosufferandevendie.MenlikeMichael
Schwerner*diedfortheirbeliefthatloveamongmen
mustbestrengthened.We,too,shouldbereadytosuf-
ferandtodieifGodasksitofus.
OurheartsaresmallIknowitofmyselfbutwe
willndananswertothequestionofourresponsibil-
ityifweletourselvesbemovedbyGod.Anyotherway
willfail.IfGodslovemovesourhearts,ourliveswill
takeonnewdepthsandheights,andhewillleadus
totaketherightaction.Butwemustaskhimtomove
ourheartstoday,tomorrow,andeveryday.
Tobecomplacentinthefaceofinjusticeisaterrible
sin,andthereforewehavegreatrespectfortheCivil
RightsMovement.Manypeopleinitaremakingsac-
ricesforrighteousness,andsomehaveevensacriced
theirlives.Buttheghtforcivilrightsitselfwillnot
bringaboutthekingdomofGod,andwemustnot
losesightofthis,inspiteofourrespectforthosewho
sacriceeverythingforit.Somethingmuchgreater
mustcomeintobeing,somethingweourselvescannot
make:thepowerfulatmosphereofthespiritofJesus,
whichmustpenetrateintoalltheworld.
*YoungcivilrightsactivistmurderedinMississippiin1964.
Asinjusticecontinuestoincrease,letusholdonto
ourhopeinthekingdomofGodandseektoliveac-
cordingtoit,toshowtheworldanewrighteousness
thatincludesloveeventotheenemy.Thisisthean-
swertothegreatneedofourtimeintheworldatlarge,
butespeciallyonthepoliticalandracialsceneherein
America.
DanielandalltheotherprophetsaswellasJohnin
hisBookofRevelationspeakofthelastdaysbefore
thekingdomofGodcomes,whenhumankindwill
havetofaceheavyjudgment.Thefaminesandpes-
tilencesofeverycentury,thepersecutionofourAna-
baptistforefathersandcountlessothersmallgroups,
theThirtyYearsWar,andthewipingoutofthe
AmericanIndiansareallexamplesofenormoussuffer-
ingthatalreadyfulllmanypropheciesofjudgment.
SoaretheFirstandSecondWorldWars,whichheld
perhapsthegreatesthorrorshumankindhaseverseen.
Thelastdayshavealreadybegun.
Thereissuchendlessneedonearthmuchmorethan
wecaneverknow.Someofitiseconomicneed,and
someofitissocialneed,butinadeeperwayitisall
innerneedbroughtintomenslivesbythedarkpow-
ersofinjustice,murder,andunfaithfulness.Some
ofususedtobelievethatthroughpoliticalorsocial
measuresradicalchangescouldtakeplaceinoursoci-
etychangesthatwouldanswerthisneed.Butaswe
haveseenagainandagain,theleadersoftodaysworld
alwaysgetcaughtintheirownliesandwebsofdishon-
esty;thecolddollarrules,andimpurityandunfaith-
fulnessareeverywhere.
WeknowthatourfewBruderhofcommunitieswill
notchangetheworld.ButChristwill,andwewant
togiveourselvesvoluntarilytohim.Hedemandsour
wholepersonalityandourwholelife.Hecametosave
theworld,andwebelievethathe,notanyhuman
leader,willonedaygoverntheearth.Forhimwelive
andgiveourutmost,andforhimwearewillingtodie.
cf.Mt.12:30
cf.Mt.23:37
Mission
Itisourdeeplongingasabrotherhoodthatwemay
reachouttootherseekingpeople.Butthisdoesnot
meanthatweshouldalldriveoffandtalktopeople
aboutourfaith.MissionhastobegivenbyGodina
burning,genuinewaysothatweareledtothosewho
wanttohear.Wecannotjustpreachtopeople.We
seekaninner,personalrelationshipwiththemsome-
thingthatcannotbemadebymen.OnlyGodcangive
ustherightwordattherighttimefortherightperson.
Wearenotinterestedinmakingmembersforthe
Bruderhof,aspeoplesometimesthink.Ourmovement
wouldcollapseifthatwereourmotive.Wewantto
gatherbecauseJesustellsustogather.Whenmybroth-
erHardywasstudyingatTbingenUniversityinthe
1930s,myfatheraskedhimtoarrangesomepublic
lecturesthere.Hardyhadlargepostersputup,an-
nouncingthatDr.EberhardArnoldwouldspeakabout
theBruderhof.Butmyfathersaid,Icertainlywont
dothat.IwillspeakaboutGodscause.Iwontmen-
tiontheBruderhof.ThecauseofGodshouldbeour
mainconcern.
Welongtohavecontactwithmorepeople,butall
ourwishesandlongingsmustcomeunderonedesire:
thatatanyhour,inanyplace,notourwillbutGods
willbedone.Wemustwillinglysubmittothis.The
lastfewyearshaveshownusorshouldhaveshown
us ourincapability,oursinfulness,andourpowerless-
ness.Missiondependsonwhetherourfaithisaliving
faith.
Letuswatchthatwedonotgooutonmissioninhu-
manstrength.Thereisenoughpreachingintheworld;
somanypeoplegooutoftheirownaccordandpreach.
Iamallformission,butonlyifitisGodswillthat
movesus,andnotourownegos.
Intheearlychurch,wheretruemissionwasalivein
aspecialway,thereweretwoimportantconditions:the
believerswereofoneheart,mind,andsoul,andthey
wererepentant.Wemustndthisonenessofheart,
mind,andsoul,andwemustndthehumilityand
repentanceofPaul.
Wecannotescapethecommandofmission.Fora
churchtoremainalive,missionariesmustbesentout,
twobytwoperhaps,asintheearlychurchoramong
theAnabaptistsofthe16thcentury.Thecitymust
standonahill,andthelightmustshineout.Doesthe
worldreallyrecognizethroughtodayschurchthatthe
Mk.16:15-16
FathersentJesusChristintotheworld?Dowenot
haveanenormousresponsibility?Jesuslastwordsto
hisdiscipleswere,Gointoalltheworldandpreach
thegoodnewstoallcreation.Whoeverbelievesandis
baptizedwillbesaved,butwhoeverdoesnotbelieve
willbecondemned.
ItisunlikelythattherewillbeanotherPentecostwhere
thousandsarebaptizedinoneday.Butwelongthat
theseedsofJesusmightbeplantedinourcorruptsoci-
ety,evenifwemustleaveittoGodwhethertheseeds
becomeplantsandbearfruit.Thetwelveapostlesac-
complishedmuch,buttheyweresentwiththeauthor-
ityofChrist.Nothinglikeithashappenedagainsince.
Iknowmissioncannotbeforced,butIhavean
enormouslongingthattheseedissown,thatmen
awakenandloveJesusandkeephiswords.Thenhe
willcometothemanddwellwiththem.
Letuspraythatwheneverwementionthenameofthe
LordandproclaimtheGospel,itiswiththereofthe
HolySpirit.Thatistheneedofourage,theneedof
ourpoorearth,whichwasvisitedbytheSonofGod
andhasnotbeenforgottenbyhim.
Thecrossisdeeplyimplantedintotheearth.It
pointstoheaven,butitsoutstretchedarmsexpressthe
Jn.12:32 hungerandthirstofJesusforallmen.Christsaid,I
shalldrawallmentomyselfwhenIamliftedupfrom
theearth.
Ourlifeseemstohaveacertaincontradiction.On
theonehand,wewouldliketoembracethewhole
ofhumankind.Ifitwerepossible,wewouldliketo
convincethousandsandmillionsofpeopletoliveas
brothersandsistersinChrist.Wewantasmanyaspos-
sibletocometoussowecansharewiththem.Andwe
longthatourmissionaryurgemightgrowevenstron-
ger.Ontheotherhand,wewouldratherhaveonly
twoorthreememberswhoarewhollydedicated,than
hundredsandhundredsofpeoplewhoarenot.Wedo
notwantthesaltofourwitnesstobelost.Wewould
ratherbeagroupofonlyafew,withrealloveandreal
faithinChrist,thanamassmovementwherethereis
hatredandjealousy.
Mt.28:19
Mk.16:15
AccordingtotherstthreeGospels,thetwelveapos-
Lk.24:47
tlesweresentonmissionwiththewords,Gooutinto
alltheworldandmakedisciplesofallnations,and
Jn.17:21
baptizetheminthenameoftheFather,theSon,and
theHolySpirit.IntheGospelofJohn,Jesusspeaksof
anotherformofmission:Maytheyallbeone,Father,
asthouartinmeandIinthee.Maytheyalsobeone
inussothattheworldmaybelievethatthouhastsent
me.
Thisissoimportantforustoday.HereJesusdoes
notputtheemphasisonpreachingtheGospeltowin
peoplefromtheworld,butonunity:Maytheyallbe
one,sothattheworldwillbelievethatthouhastsent
me.Inthisprayer,missionconsistsintheunityofthe
disciples.
Unitycostsaght;itcostschurchdisciplineand
suffering;itcostsrenewedforgiveness,trust,andlove
overandovertothesamepeoplewhohavehurtus.
Ifunityisstrongamongus,itwillshineoutintothe
world.Wedonotknowhow,butitwill.
Wemustlongformoreandmorelovetostreamout
fromourcirclesothatwecansendpeopleoutonmis-
sionfromaunitedchurch.Untilwecandothisweare
notyetlivingforlovealone.Whenwedonothavethe
strengthformission,itisasignthatourchurchisnot
fullydedicatedtolove,andthisshouldhumbleus.
Weliveincommunitybecausewewanttobebroth-
ersandsisters.Thatisourrstcalling:tobebrothers,
alsotothehumblestpeople,sothatnooneislooked
downuponandnoonesneedisforgotten.Wearehere
totakecareofourchildren,ourbrothersandsisters,
ouroldpeople,widows,andorphans.Itisnotour
maincallingtoseekoutpeoplefromtheslumsand
thelike;thatcouldevendestroyus.Ifeveryonewere
toscatter,thingswouldgotopiecesandtheBruderhof
Mt.10:8
Mk.16:15-18
Jn.17
wouldbecomelikeanyotherorganizationsetuptodo
socialwork.
IfwelookatourdiscipleshipinthelightofJesus
wordsaboutraisingthedeadandcastingoutdevils,
wewillseethatweareaverypoorchurchspiritually.
Thisshouldmakeushumble,butitshouldnotmake
usresigned.
Inmyfatherslastletterhewrote,We[theBruder-
hof ]havenotyetarrivedattruemission,butitismore
andmoreurgenttoprayforit.Iknowhehopedfor
thiskindofmissionraisingthedeadandcastingout
demons tobegivenagaininourtime.Itwasnot
importanttohimwhetheritwouldbegiventohim
personallyortotheBruderhof,butthatitwouldbe
givensomewhere.
Fromaletter: Ilongforapostolicmissiontogoto
theroadsidesandfencesandinvitementothegreat
festivalofthekingdomofGod.Buteverydaylived
intrueunityismissiontoo.ReadJohn17,whereJe-
sussaysthatbytheunityandloveofthedisciplesthe
worldwillrecognizethattheFathersenthim.There
isnogreatervisionthanthat.Ifonlyweghtourway
throughtothisunity,Godwillgiveusthestrengthto
carryoutbothformsofmission,andeverymember
willtakepart.
Fromaletter: ThesharpnessofJesusasapartofthe
GospelisnolongerpreachedinChristendomtoday.
JohntheBaptistbeganhismessagewiththewords,
Yougenerationofvipers!Whotoldyouthatyou
Mt.3:7-9
couldescapethejudgmentthatistocome?Thenshow
thefruitsthatareinaccordwithachangeofheart!
Anddontthinkyoucangetanywherebythinking,
Abrahamisourfather.
Iconsideritmyinnercallinganddutytoproclaim
theGospelwiththesamesharpness,thoughalsowith
thesamekindnessandcompassionthatisfoundinthe
NewTestament.
Lk.10:3
JesussentouthisapostlesunderthesignoftheLamb.
Anyonewhohasbeenputunderpressure,especially
religiouspressure,willknowwhyhedidthis.Itbe-
comesevenclearerifonethinksofthedove,whichis
thesymbolofthespiritofGod.TheSpiritcameupon
Jesuslikeadove:withoutanyforce,pressure,orevil,
unabletoattack,andwithoutoverridinghisfreewill.
Thisisthecharacterofapostolicmission:nocoercion,
nopressure,nopersuasion.Thestrongerpersonality
mustneveroverridetheweaker;itmustbeharmless
asadove.YetalongwithJesuswords,Beinnocentas
doves,hesays,Bewiseasserpents.
Mt.10:16
Inourcorrupttimeitistheresponsibilityofthe
churchtocallmentoalifeinGodandinJesus.Ifwe
lookatsocietytoday,wecanseethathumankindis
whollycorrupt;itisnotatallreconciledwithGod.
ReconciliationwithGodispossibleonlythroughthe
cross.WithoutJesusandhissufferinganddeath,no
onecanndGod.
Manyofuslongforourchurchtocarryoutapos-
tolicmission,andIamthankfulthatthislongingis
alive.ButunlesswearesentbyGodasPaulwassent
wewillneverbeabletodomission,eveninahumbler
form.AtthetimeofPaulsconversionJesustoldhim,
Acts26:18 Isendyoutoopenmenseyesandturnthemfrom
darknesstolight,andfromthedominionofSatanto
God,sothatbytrustinmetheymayobtainforgive-
nessofsinsandaplacewiththosewhomGodhas
madehisown.Thatisthepurposeofmission.Itis
clearthatmissioncanneverbeahumanundertaking.
Weareincapableofitabsolutelyincapable without
adeepinnerrelationshiptoGod,toJesus,andtothe
church.
Withregardtoparticipatingintodaysvarious
movementsofsocialprotest,Ihopewearegiventhe
sensitivitybothtorecognizewhatisGod-givenanden-
courageit,andtorejectwhatisnotgood.Wemustbe
opentoreceive,butatthesametimewemustwitness
totruebrotherhood.
Theydevotedthemselvestotheapostlesteaching
andtothefellowship,tothebreakingofbreadand
toprayer.Everyonewaslledwithawe,andmany
wondersandmiraculoussignsweredonebythe
apostles.Allthebelieversweretogetherandhad
everythingincommon.Sellingtheirpossessionsand
goods,theygavetoanyoneashehadneed.Every
daytheycontinuedtomeettogetherinthetemple
courts.Theybrokebreadintheirhomesandate
togetherwithgladandsincerehearts,praisingGod
andenjoyingthefavorofallthepeople.Andthe
Lordaddedtotheirnumberdailythosewhowere
beingsaved.
Acts2:42-47
TheKingdomofGod
TheKingdomofGod
Jesus................................................................... 237
TheCross .......................................................... 254
Salvation............................................................ 261
TheKingdomofGod........................................ 269
Jesus
Jesuswasthesufferingservant.Hislifewentfrom
birthinalowlystabletodeathonacrossbetweentwo
criminalsforthesakeofpurelovealone.Hewasatrue
man,yetGod;hewastheWordthatbecameesh;he
wastheSonofGodbutalsocalledhimselftheSonof
Man.
JesusChrististheredeemerwhocomestousweak
andsinfulmen.Hefreesusfromsinanddemonic
powers.Hemakesustruemen.Heisthehealerwho
healsfornothing.Heisthetruevine,thelivingtree.
Heisthesameyesterday,today,andinalleternity.
Jesusisthesoulofcompassion,thefriendofman,the
callertonewlife.Heisthetrueandgoodshepherd,
thekingofGodskingdom.Heiscalledthewonderful
counselor,mightyGod,everlastingFather,andprince
ofpeace.
Christisthegatheringpower:HowoftenhaveI
Lk.13:34
wantedtogatheryoulikeahenherchicks,andyou
wouldnot.Hislastprayerwasforunityandlove
amonghisdisciples.Hisnewlifeovercomessepara-
tion,leadstocommunity,andmakesmenofoneheart
andonesoul.HeistherevelationofGodsloveand
kingdom.
WemustexperienceJesusinourheartsandsouls.
Yetstillmoreisdemanded:wemustexperiencehim
asLordoverallthings,kingoverallprincipalities
andworldsofGod.Wemustconcentrateourhearts,
minds,andsoulsonthevisionofhiskingdomandon
him,thecomingOne.
Fromaletter: Iknowyouhavedifcultieswithcertain
biblicalconceptsofChrist.Butifyoudonotwantthe
wholeChrist,eventhepartthatyoudoacceptwillslip
throughyourngers,andyouwillbeleftwithnoth-
ing.Ilaythisonyourheartwithloveandconcern.
Ultimately,itisaquestionofwhetheryouaccept
JesusChrist,whowasbornofthevirginMarythrough
theHolySpirit.Allpowerinheavenandonearthis
Col.1:20 giventohim,andhecameintothisworldtoreconcile
thewholeuniversetohimself,makingpeacethrough
thesheddingofhisblooduponthecross.
FaithinChristmeansthewillingnesstobelievein
mysteriesthatwecanneithersee,feel,norunderstand
withourstupidintellect.
IoftenwonderwhetherwehavethewholeChristsuf-
cientlyinmind.ForanyChristianforindividuals
aswellasforchurchesthereisadangerofexperienc-
ingonlyapartofChristacceptingonlyapartofhis
message andbeingfaithfultothat.Wemustnd
andservethewholeChrist.Iamnotabletoproclaim,
Here,thisisthewholeChrist.Evenifwelearned
theentireGospelbyheart,wecouldnotsaywehave
thewholeChrist.OnlytheHolySpiritisabletobring
himtous.
Jesusseestheevilinapersonsosharplyandclearly
thatitisasifhehadnolove;yetheseeshopefora
personsostronglythatitisasiftherewerenoevilin
him.IntheNewTestamentwendthesharpestwords
ofeternalcondemnationand,atthesametime,the
mosttenderlove.
WehavetoloveeverythinginJesushissharpness
andhiscompassion.Ifwelovehissharpness,thenour
heartswillbepuriedandpruned;butwecouldnot
liveifhislove,compassion,andmercywerenotstill
greater.
ItisamistaketothinkthatJesuswasonlybraveand
2Cor.13:4
strong.Hewascruciedinweakness,andthatisa
deepmystery.Hebecameweakforoursake,forthe
sinsoftheworld,andtobringreconciliationandthe
victoryofGodintoearthandheaven.Thisiswhywe
lovehim.
Jesuswascruciedinweakness,buthenowlives
inthepowerofGod.We,too,areweak,ashewas,yet
throughGodspowerwecanbecomeonewithhim
andfulloflife.
IfweareproudwecannotlivethroughGodspow-
er,forwhenwearestrongandgreatinspirit,westand
inhisway.Butifweareweak,thatisnohindrance.
Jn.15
InJohn15,Jesusspeaksfromthedepthofhisheart
abouttheunityofhisfollowers.Hespeaksofhimself
asavineandhisFatherasavine-dresserwhocutsaway
everybranchthatfailstobearfruitandprunesthose
thatbearfruitsothattheymaybearstillmore.
TheSaviordoesnotcutusoffcompletelytowither
away;rather,hecleansesusandbindsusafreshtohis
vine.Wemustundergothisexperienceofpunish-
mentandjudgment,forJesussaysthatwhoeverbears
fruit,hecleanses.Whenavinedressercleansbranches,
heusesaknife.Wemustpraythattheknifemaycut
deeplyintoourhearts,nomatterhowmuchithurts,
sothatcleansedbyhimwemaybegraftedtotheone
Vine.
Jn.15:4,7
OurSaviorsays,Dwellinme,andIshalldwellin
you.Ihavethedeeplongingthatweallmaydwellin
him,andheinus.Thereisnothinggreater,nothing
morewonderful,nothingmorejoyfulthanunitywith
JesusChrist.
Whentheangelsappearedtotheshepherdstheysaid,
Lk.2:11 Untoyouachildisborn.Untoyouasonisgiven.
Wemusttakethattoheart:toyou achildisborn.It
isnotjustamatterofbelievingthatachildisbornin
Bethlehem,butthatachildisborntoyou.Wemust
believethisquitepersonally:Jesuscameforeachofus.
Jesuslifebeganinastableandendedonthecrossbe-
tweentwocriminals.TheApostlePaulsaidhewanted
1Cor.2:2 toproclaimnothingbutthiscruciedChrist.We,too,
havenothingtoholdtoexceptthisChrist.Wemust
askourselvesagainandagain:Arewewillingtogohis
way,fromthestabletothecross?Asdisciplesweare
notpromisedcomfortableandgoodtimes.Jesussays
wemustdenyourselvesandsufferwithhimandfor
him.Thatistheonlywaytofollowhim,butbehindit
liesthegloryoflifetheglowingloveofGod,whichis
somuchgreaterthanourheartsandourlives.
Fromaletter: Jesuswasastrongmaninanewway.
Hewasatonceveryweakandverystrong.Hewas
Mt.23:37 notashamedtoshedtearsoverJerusalem,whomhe
wantedtogatherlikeahenherchicks;hewasnot
Jn.11:35 afraidtoweeppubliclyattheraisingofLazarus;and
hewasnotafraidtoshowhisagonyinGethsemane.
Allthisdidnotmakeforastrongmanintheworldly
sense.YetJesuslovewassostrongthathewasableto
Lk.22:44 sufferthemostterriblepainandgodforsakenness,and
inthisstrengthhecompletedthetaskgivenhimbyhis
Father.
Intrueweaknesswebecomepowerless,andintrue
powerlessnesswendstrength.Thatisthesecret.
Eph.5:22-33
EachofusmusthaveapersonalrelationshiptoJesus.
Asayoungman,Icouldnotunderstandwhythefeel-
ingofjoyandloveIhadintherstweeksaftermy
conversiondidnotlast.Iwasverytroubledandasked
myfatheraboutit.Hesaid,YoucantbaseyourChris-
tianityonfeelings.Therearetimeswhenonesimply
hastofollowwithoutdeepfeelings.
PaulcomparestherelationshipofChristandhis
churchtomarriage,whichsometimesbringsjoy,and
sometimessorrow.Themainthingisfaithfulnessto
therelationship;onesfeelingswillnotalwaysbethe
same.Whenwearecalledbacktotherstlove,itcan
giveusatremendousfeelingofjoy,whichisagiftfrom
God.Thisfeelingwillnotlastalifetime.But
ifwearefaithful,ourrelationshipwithChristwill
remainevenwhenwegothroughtimesofpainand
tears,sorrowandemptiness.
Jn.14:23
Jesussays,HewholovesmeheedswhatIsay,andI
willcomewiththeFatheranddwellinhim.There
isnothingmoreintimatethandwellinginanothers
heart.
Jn.6:53-56
Rev.3:15
Jesusalsosays,Hewhodoesnotdrinkmyblood
andeatmyeshcannotbelongtome.ItisaGospel
ofcompleteoneness;itexcludesthepossibilityofhalf-
heartedness.Jesuspreferstheice-coldhearttotheluke-
warm.
Heb.12:6
Mt.26:26-28
Ifwelovesomeone,wewanttoknowhisinnermost
being.Wearenotsatisedwithsimplyknowinghim
outwardly.SoitiswithourlovetoGod.Ifwegive
ourselvestohim,wewilllearntoknowhisinnermost
beingandheart,hischaracterandhislove.Itisnot
enoughjusttospeakofGod.Weseekhisrevelation.
TheBiblesaysthatthosewhomGodloveshechas-
tises.SoweshouldthankGodifwearepunishedand
chastised,foritisasignofhislove.Wecannotexperi-
encethecompleteliberationbroughtaboutbythe
forgivenessofsinsifwedonotacceptJesussharpness.
Onlythenwillwealsobeabletoexperiencehisgood-
ness,hiscompassion,andhisultimatelove.
Thereisacertainsubjectivityinmansrelationship
withJesusthatwerejectbecauseitforgetsthegreat-
nessofGodandthechurchasifonlymy souland
my salvationwereimportant.Buttorejectonesinner
relationshiptoJesusassubjectiveinitselfwouldbe
wrong.Wedohavetoexperiencehislove,hisdeathon
thecross,andhisforgivenessinapersonalway.
EverythingweneedinordertondGodisgivento
usinChrist.Butitdoesnothelptograspthatwith
ourbrains.NordoesithelptolearntheBibleorrecite
prayersbyheart.Jesusmusttouchourheartstothe
depthssothatwearemovedbyhisperson.Hecom-
paresthisexperiencetoeatinghiseshanddrinking
hisblood.Thatistheoppositeofamerelyintellectual
experience.Itisanexperiencefromthedepthsofthe
heart.
TruediscipleshipdemandsthatweloveJesusso
deeplythatallotherloveevenourlovetowifeand
childrenissmallincomparison.Wemustlovehim
somuchthateventhesmallestpartofhisGospelisof
greatestimportancetous.Wemustloveeverythingin
him:hisdeath,hisresurrection,hisjudgment,andhis
futureeternalkingdom.Butmostofallwemustlove
hisinnerlife,insofarashehasrevealedittousinhis
lifeanddeath.ThisinnerlifeisthespiritofGod.The
greatesttaskofaChristianistoloveJesus,torecognize
him,andtolearntounderstandhiminhisinnermost
being.
Jesuswantsustoloveeverythinginhimhisdeeds,
hisparables,hisrejectionofmammonandworldly
goods,hispurenessofheartandfaithfulnessinrela-
tionships,hissorrowandsufferingoverinjustice,his
deathwithcriminals butmostofallhim personally,
hisheartandhisblood.
TheJewsfounditveryhardtoaccepttheideaof
drinkingJesusbloodandeatinghisesh,foritwas
forbiddenbythelawofMosestodrinkblood.But
Jesuswantedtoshowhisdisciplesaunityandcom-
munitywhichhecouldcompareonlywitheshand
Mt.9:12
Jn.10:14
Mt.25:1-13
blood.Heisactuallyspeakingabouteternalcommu-
nitywithhiminthekingdomofGod.
Jesuscameasaphysicianforthesickandashepherd
forthelost notonlyforthejustandrighteous.Heis
Godsloveatworkonearth.Ifwereallyunderstand
this,wewillrealizethatfollowingJesusmeanssuffer-
ing.Itcannotbeacomfortableway.
Fromaletter: Dedicateyourselfdailytothepersonof
Jesus.Thenitwillbepossibletoburnforhimandto
giveupallself-concern.
WhenJesuslivedonearth,hepromisedthathe
wouldcomeagaintofoundthekingdomofGod,a
kingdomofpeaceandlove.Intheparableoftheten
virgins,veofthemwereready,butvehadnooil
noburninglovetoGodandmen.Eventhoughthe
vefoolishoneshadtheouterformofthelamp,their
innerrewasgone.Jesussaidhedidnotknowthem,
andtheycouldnottakepartinthekingdom.
Thisparablespeakstoourtime,becauseitisalmost
twothousandyearssinceJesuslivedonearth,andwe
havegottenusedtowaiting.Theworldgoesonas
before.Butthetimewillcomewhenwewillwishwe
hadoil.
IfwewanttobedisciplesofChristwemustbepre-
paredtobeareverythinginfaithandgiveupevery-
thingashedid.Thetotalsurrenderofthecrucied
Christmustbeproclaimedoverandoveragaininthe
churchtoeverynewgeneration.
Fromaletter: IthankGodthatyoufeelaninkling
oftherealityofJesusinyourlife.Nourishthissmall
ameandletitgrow.Jesuscancomeintoyourheart
onlyinsofarasitisemptiedofotherthings.Ifabucket
ofwaterisfull,youcannotaddtoit;butifitisemp-
tied,itcanberelled.Youmustbecomeempty.Jesus
willtouchyouevenifthereisonlyalittleroomfor
him.
Fromaletter: Neverforgetthatyourheartmustbe
emptyandpoorinspiritforJesustoruleinitno
hiddencornerscanbekeptforyourself.Seeeverything
fromJesusoutlookandnotfromyourpointofview.
Whatyouthinkandfeelisnotimportant.ItisJesus
willthatisimportant.Whenyousubmittohim,all
yourfeelingswillchange.
Fromaletter: IfyoureallywanttoserveJesusalone,
showthisinpracticalways:inthewayyoubringup
yourchildren,inyourattitudetoyourhusband,and
inyourattitudetothechurch.Itisnottruethatyou
areapoorperson,asyouwrite.Iwishyouwere,for
Mt.5:3 Jesussays,Blessedarethepoorinspirit.Youare
sometimesveryrich,richinopinionsandfullofself-
recognitionandself-esteem.Becomeapoorpersonin
truth.
Fromaletter: IknowGodhasgivenyoualoving
heart,butyouroldnaturemustdiesothatyoucan
receivehislove.Thenhecanuseyouashemadeyou.
DyingwithChristdoesnotmeanbeingextinguished.
Butitdoesmeanpouringoutourinnermostbeing
beforehim,bringingoursinstothecross,andbecom-
ingonewithhimwhodiedforus.
Jn.12:24
Whenagrainofwheatislaidintheearth,itdies.It
nolongerremainsagrain,butthroughdeathitbrings
forthfruit.ThisisthewayoftrueChristianity.Itisthe
wayJesuswentwhenhediedonthecrossforeachof
us.IfwewantourlivestobefruitsofChristsdeath
onthecross,wecannotremainindividualgrains.We
mustbereadytodietoo.
HaveChristbeforeyouineverythingsothatyouare
abletodieforhim!Longtocomenearertohim.Live
inonespirit inservicetohimsothatthegraceof
Godmayalwaysbewithyou.Then,evenwhenthe
daycomesthatyourbloodmustbeshedforhim,you
willbejoyful.Itwillbenothingbutvictory!
Jn.14:21
Jesussaysthatifwelovehimandfulllhiscommand-
ments,hewillloveusanddisclosehimselftous.This
isnotaquestionofatheologyorateachingbuta
questionoflife,ofreceivingJesusasarealperson,as
theSonofManwhowantstoloveusandrevealhim-
selftous.WhenwedwellinJesus,hewilldwellinus,
Gal.2:20
andwecansaylikePaultheApostle,Ilive,yetnotI,
butChristlivethinme.
ThewayGodsenthisSonintotheworldisnotto
Jn.1:14
beexplainedorunderstood.Johnsimplysaysthat
theWordbecameesh.ThisWordishislove,andhe
poureditoutthroughtheHolySpiritinMary.Only
inthissensecanwebegintounderstandthemystery
ofthevirginbirth.
ItisourprayerthatwemayseetherealChrist.We
praythatheberevealedtousrstashewasababy
borninastableatBethlehem,andthenacondemned
manhangingonthecrossbetweentwocriminalsat
Golgotha;asheistodaytheheadofallthings,es-
Eph.5:23
peciallyofhischurch;andashewillbeattheendof
timetheonewhojudgesthequickandthedead,the
Bridegroomofthegreatfestivalinthekingdomof
God.
TheLiving
Word
Jn.1:1,3
Arewewillingtogothesamewayofsufferingthat
Jesuswentonearth?Arewewillingtogiveourselvesso
completelytohimthatwearereadytobepersecuted,
beaten,orevenkilledforhissake?
JesusChrist! Hemustremainthecenteratalltimes.
Thechurchcannotbeourcenter,forabodywithouta
headisdead.Weneedconstantrenewalfromwithin,
andbythatImeanthatweneednewencounterswith
GodandChristagainandagain.Thismusthappenin
communalworshipmeetingsaswellasineachindi-
vidualheart.Rebirthmeanstheindwellingofthe
Father,andittakesplacethroughtheHolySpirit.
InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwas
withGod,andtheWordwasGod.Throughhimall
thingsweremade;withouthimnothingwasmadethat
hasbeenmade.TheWordisthepersonalexpression
ofGod.Hebecameeshanddweltamongusasa
humanbeingwhowasandisChrist.Godspeakswith
hisWordtotheheartsofmenandjudgesthem,and
whentheyreceivetheWordandrepentwhenthey
feelgreatpainandremorsefortheirinjusticeandun-
righteousness,theirlying,murder,impurity,anddark-
ness thenthekingdomwillcome.
Nothingatallcanhelpus nothingexcepttheWord
ofGod.BytheWordwedonotmeanthedeadletters
2Cor.3:6
Heb.4:12-13
Heb.4:15
oftheBible.ItistruethatsincetheBiblecontainsthe
sayingsofJesusandtheprophetsinwrittenform,itis
theholiestbookthatexists.ButtheBibleitselfisnot
theWord;itisonlyawitnesstoit.Whenwereadthe
BibleandfeelGodspeakingdirectlyintoourhearts,
whensomethinginourheartsstartstoburn,that is
thelivingWord.TheSpiritbringslife,butthedead
letterkills.
ThedeadletteroftheOldandNewTestamentsis
theweaponoftheAntichrist.Healwayscomeswith
theBibleinhand.WhentheRomanCatholicsperse-
cutedtheAnabaptistbelieversofReformationtimes,
theycamewithBiblesinhandtodrown,burn,be-
head,orhangthem.
AsregardstheWord,itdoesnotmatterwhatwefeel
orthink,norwhatwememorizeevenifweknowall
thewordsofJesusaswrittenintheNewTestament
butthathiswordsareburnedintoourheartsbyGod
himself.ThatistheGospel.
ArewewillingtohearGodsWord,whichcutsmore
keenlythanatwo-edgedsword?PaulslettertotheHe-
brewssays,TheWordofGodisalive . . . andtohim
wemustgiveaccount.Healsospeaksofthesharpness
thatcutsanddividesjointsandmarrow.Butthenhe
saysthatinJesuswehaveonewhohassympathyfor
ourweakness,fears,andinnerneedonewhounder-
stands.Ifwearewillingtogiveourheartstothissharp
sword,wewillndJesus.Butifwerejecthim,wewill
alsoberejected.
Mt.4:4
Jesussaysthatmandoesnotlivebybreadalonebut
byeverywordthatcomesfromthemouthofGod.We
donothaveasilentGod.TheWordisnotrigid,asif
castinironintooneformorcontainedinabooknot
evenwhenthatbookistheBible.TheWordnevercon-
tradictstheprophetsoftheOldTestament,nordoesit
contradicttheNewTestament,butitisspokenagain
andagainfromthemouthofGodintothehearts
ofmen.Itcontinuallybringsusnewrevelationsand
makeseverythingaliveforus.Wecannotlivewithout
thelivingWordofGod.
Fromaletter: IrejoicethattheBiblehasbecomealive
foryou.Thatissoimportant:notthedeadletterbut
thelivingJesus.Mayheburninourheartsandlives.
Thenwewillnolongerbesoconcernedwithourout-
eractivitiesthatourinnerlifesuffers.WhenJesusis
thecenterofourlives,ourinnerlifewillbecomelikea
amethatburnsforhim.
TheHoly
TheHolySpiritislikewater,whichseeksthelowest
Spirit
place.Hecomesonlytothebrokenandhumbleheart.
ThegreateventofPentecostthefoundingofaliving
churchthroughthecomingdownoftheHolySpirit
isachallengeforusall.Throughitweseethatwhen
theSpiritispouredoutonagroupofexpectantdisci-
ples,somethinghappensthataffectsthewholeworld.
TheexpectationofthebelieversinJerusalemwasso
greatthatthreethousandotherswereaddedtotheir
numberinoneday.
Todaymorethanever,whentherearesomanyevil
spiritsatworkspiritsofimpurityanddestruction,
injustice,rebellion,andmurderweneedthegiftof
theHolySpirit.Wheneverwearetogether,whetherin
ourwork,ourworship,oursinging,oroursilence,we
mustawaittheSpirit.Butweshouldexpectitnotonly
forourselveswemustthinkinmuchgreaterterms.
LetusprayforGodsspirittobreakinoverthegod-
lessnessofthewholeearth.
Acts2:41
Eph.4:4
TheexperienceoftheHolySpiritcanneverremainan
individualexperience:itleadstocommunity.When
theHolySpiritcameoverthedisciplesinJerusalem,
theybecameofoneheartandsoul;theyweresolled
withlovethattheycouldnolongerliveforthemselves.
Thatisthegreatestgift:toexperienceunitywithJesus
Christincommunitywithothers.
Fromaletter: Thereishardlyanythingmorewonder-
fulthanwhattookplaceatPentecost,whentheHoly
SpiritwaspouredoutoverChristsdisciples.Thelove
Acts4:32 amongthemwassogreatthattheywereofoneheart
andonesoulandproclaimedtheGospelofJesus
Christeventhoughtheyknewtheywouldhaveto
sufferforit.LetusimploretheHolySpirittollour
hearts,too,withamesofre,sothatwemayworkin
asufferingworldforChristssake.
Mt.3:16
IntheNewTestamenttheHolySpiritiscomparedtoa
dove.Adoveisgentle;itwillharmnoone,anditwill
notforceitselfonanyone.Iteesbeforebirdsofprey.
Throughthefallofmanweareallbirdsofprey,and
wehavealldriventheHolySpiritawaywithoutknow-
ingit.IftheSpiritisresisted,hedisappears.Hecomes
onlytothelowly,thebroken,andthosewhoseekhim.
TheCross
ThefactthatJesusbloodwasshedfortheforgive-
nessofsinsisamystery.Manypeoplesay,Godisso
great,somighty,thathecouldhavesavedhumankind
withoutthecross.Butthatisnottrue.Weshould
rememberthatGodisnotonlyonehundredpercent
lovewhichmighthaveallowedhimtoforgiveour
sinswithoutthecross.Heisalsoonehundredpercent
justice.GodsloveandGodsjusticehadtoberevealed
totheworldofangels,becausethereareevilangelsas
wellasholyangels.
TokilltheSonofGodwasthemostevildeedever
done.ButitwasjustthroughthatdeedthatGod
showedhisgreatestloveandgaveeveryonethepossi-
bilityofndingpeacewithhimandtheforgiveness
ofsins.
Fromaletter: WeconstantlyneedthecruciedChrist
withinus.Toreceivehimwemustbecomesilent
beforeGodagainandagain.Christwantstolivein
ourheartssothatweareabletoconquerallthings.
Throughhimeverythingreceivesitstruemeaning.
Thereisnootherfoundationfortruepeaceofheart
thanunitywithhim.OnlyChristcanbringustofull
trustinGod.Inhimwendthesharpestjudgmentof
wrathoverallevil,butalsotherevelationofhisloving
grace.
Ifwedonotbelieveinthepowerofevil,wecan-
notfullyunderstandJesus.Itcannotbedeniedthat
hecametosavemen.Butunlessweunderstandthat
themainreasonforhiscomingwastojointheght
betweenGodandSatantodestroytheworksofSa-
tanwecannotfullyunderstandtheneedforanatone-
ment-deathonthecross.
ThethoughtthatGodisall-lovingcaninsulateus
fromthepowerofhistouch.PeopleknowthatGod
forgivessin,buttheyforgetthathejudgesittoo.There
issomethinginmodernthinkingwhichrebelsagainst
theAtonement.Perhapsourideaofanall-lovingGod
keepsusfromwantingtofacejudgment.Wethink
thatloveandforgivenessisallthatisneeded,yetthatis
notthewholeGospelitmakesGodtoohuman.
ItisofcrucialimportancethatthecrossofJesusChrist
isinthecenterofourheartscentraltoourcalling,
andcentraltoourmission.TheLambofGodonthe
Rev.5:6 crossstandsbeforethethroneofGod.Thecrossisthe
centeroftheuniverse.Wemustexperienceitsmean-
inginitsheight,depth,andbreadthasamystical
revelationthroughtheHolySpirit.Itisnotenoughto
believeit;wemustaskGodthatwemaybeallowedto
experienceitinalivingway.
Thecrossistheonlyplacewherewecanndpuri-
cationnotonlyfromsexualimpurity,butfromany-
thingwhichdelesthesoul:deceit,murder,hypocrisy,
lovelessness,andenvy.Wecanndpuricationonlyif
wendthecruciedOne.
Fromaletter: Tohavethecrossasthecenterofour
livesmeanstolovenothingmorethanthecross
whenwegetupinthemorning,throughouttheday,
andineverysituation.Ataweddingtwopeopleprom-
isetoloveoneanotheruntildeathpartsthem.Butour
lovetothecrossmustgothroughdeathintoeternal
life.
Ifamanisconfrontedbyacriminal,hewilleither
judgehimorshowhimmercy.OnlyGodcandoboth
inthesamemoment:judgehimandoodhimwith
compassionandmercy.
Ifwedesirehelpinourdistressandwedoexperience
distressweshouldnotcrytoGodrstaboutourown
suffering;weshouldgobackinourmindsandhearts
towherethesufferingoftheworldbegan.Ifwecome
beforeGodwithonlyourowninnerburdens,wedo
himaninjustice.ButifweseehowGodhassuffered
sinceAdamsfallespeciallythroughChristsdeath
onthecrossthenwecanaskhimtofreeusfromour
owndistress.
Jesuscametodestroytheworksofthedevil,and
sicknessanddeathareworksofthedevil.Godallows
them,butinChristhealsotakesthemuponhimself.
ChristssevenlastwordsbeginwithMyFather,ifitis
Mt.26:39 possible,letthiscuppassmeby.YetnotasIwill,but
asyouwill.Wecannotimagineallthatwasinthat
cup.Buthewasreadytoacceptit,andalthoughhedid
notfeelGodsnearness,hestillgavehisspiritintothe
handsoftheFather.Thatistheonlywaytoovercome
theworksofthedevil.
WhenIthinkofJesus,Iseehiscrossrootedinthe
earth,toweringtotheheights,witharmsstretched
widetoembraceallwhocometohim.Thecrossisthe
onlyplacewherethereiscompletevictoryovertemp-
tation,sin,andthedevil.Thereisnootherplace.
Godwantstorevealthegreatnessofthecrosstous.
Weallknowaboutthecrossanditsmeaning;weall
believeinit;weareprobablyallmovedbyit;butI
believeGodwantsittocutlikeaswordthroughour
hearts.Idontthinkanyoneofuscanimaginewhat
itmeansthatChristexperiencedgodforsakennessso
thatwemightndforgivenessofsinandeternallifein
God.
Wemustprayforallobstaclesinourheartstobe
overcomesothatwemayexperiencethedeathofJesus
initsentirety.Wearenotyetmovedenoughbyhisin-
nocentsufferinganddeathonthecross.Jesusgavehis
bloodsothateveryrepentantheartmightreceivefor-
givenessofsins.Hisarmsarewideopen,astheywere
onthecross,forallrepentantbelievers.
Weknowthatmanythingsdependonourwill,
andyetweknowweareunabletobringourselvesto
arebirthoftheHolySpiritsuchasthepeopleexpe-
riencedatPentecost.Wemustgiveoursouls,minds,
andheartstoGodandsay,Changethem!Weneed
tobechangedinallthatconcernsthepast,thepresent,
andthefuture,tobegrippedbyChristspainfuldeath
andbyhisresurrection.
Itisbecauseweareconcernedwithourselvesbe-
causeourheartsarefullofself-love,envy,andother
things thatwecannotrespondasthepeopleatPente-
costdid.AtthattimetheSpiritcameandpiercedtheir
Heb.4:12 heartslikeaswordcuttingthroughboneandmarrow.
Andsoitmustbeourpleatoday:GiveusthyHoly
Spiritandpierceus.Havemercyonus,andchangeus
tothedepthsofourbeing!
IfwewanttotreadinthefootstepsofJesus,wemust
recognizethatthereisanhourofGodforeverything,
whetheritismarriage,mission,persecution,ordeath
itself.Wemaynolongerdetermineourowntimingfor
thesethings,forwehavesurrenderedourselvesinsuch
awaythatGodshourisourownhourwhetherof
joy,sorrow,ordrinkingabittercuptothedregswith
Jesus.
Forthosewhoaredearesttome,Iwishnothing
morethanthattheybereadytodrinkthebittercupto
thelast.ItismucheasierforusthanitwasforJesus,
becausehehasgonebeforeusinthewayofsuffering
totheend.Wemustbesetonrewithsuchloveto
himthatwecandrinkthecupdestinedforustothe
lastdropwithjoy.
Jesuswentthewayofthecrossforoursakes.Buthe
sufferedinvainifwearenotwillingtodieforhim,
toloseourselvesforhim.LetusaskGodthatour
thoughtsandfeelingsaremovedbyhisdeathonthe
cross,hisdescentintohell,hisresurrection,andhis
ascensionintoheaven.
Youmustndthehumilityofthecross.Youcan
searchthewholeworld,butyouwillndforgiveness
ofsinsnowhereexceptatthecross.
WecannotencounterJesuswithoutencountering
thecross.Hispersonemanatesthewayofsuffering.
Throughhissacricehisgreatloveforallmenoods
ourheartsandbecomesinusanurgetogoouttosave
thosewhoareinthegripofdarkness.IfweloveJesus,
thedesiretosufferforhimwillwellupquitenaturally.
IcannotimaginehowonecanfollowJesuswithouta
deepunderstandingforhiswayofsuffering.
Weneedtogetpastourpersonalstrugglestoexperi-
encethegreatthoughtsofGod.Toexperiencepersonal
salvationthroughthecrossisimportant,buttoremain
atthisstageisuseless.Thecrossissomuchgreater
thanthepersonal;itembracesthewholeearthand
morethanthisearth.
TherearesecretsthatonlyGodknows.Christsdeath
onthecrossisonesuchmystery.TheBiblesaysthat
Col.1:20
throughthecrossnotonlythisearthbutalsoheaven
andallthepowersandprincipalitiesbelongingto
theangelworldwillbereconciledtoGod.Man,and
perhapseventheangels,cannotknowthemysteries
thatliebehindallthis.Butonethingweknow:Christ
overcamedeath,thelastenemy.Andthroughthecross
somethingtookplacewhichhadpowerfarbeyondthe
limitsofourearth,fargreaterthanoursoulscancom-
prehend.
Mt.25:1-13
1Jn.4:18
2Pet.3:9
Salvation
Fromaletter: Inhisparableofthetenvirgins,Jesus
emphasizestherealityofpunishmentforsinandthe
lossofeternalsalvation.Thethoughtofeternalpun-
ishmentiscertainlyfrightening.ButJohnwritesthat
completelovedrivesawayfear,forfearstillthinks
ofpunishment,andhewhothinksofpunishment
doesnotlovefully.Thetensionbetweenthesetwo
poles thefearofpunishmentandthelovethatdrives
awayallfear canbeovercomeonlybytheexperience
oflove.
Ifyoulovesomeoneverydeeply,youwillnotbe
afraidofhim.Inthesameway,ifyoutrulyloveJesus,
youwillnotfearhim.YoucannotserveJesusoutof
fear.
ItisGodswillthatallmenshouldberedeemedand
thatnoneshouldbelost.YettheGospelsalsosayvery
clearlythatnoneofuswillbesavedunlessweexperi-
encerebirththroughtheHolySpirit,unlesswego
throughrepentanceandconversionandndfaith.
AndJesus,whohasgreaterlovethananyman,speaks
clearlyofdamnation.EventhoughGodisalmighty,
andeventhoughitishisexpresswillthatallbesaved,
Rev.5:6 hedoesnotforcehiswillonushisnatureisthatof
Mt.3:16 thelamb,Christ,andthedove,theHolySpirit.Soit
dependsonusasindividualswhetherornotweopen
ourselvestothegraceofrebirth.First,however,we
mustbecomelowlyandbroken,forrebirthisnotpos-
siblewithoutsharpjudgment.Godsjudgmentislove.
Rom.8
InRomans8Paulspeaksaboutthesalvationofthe
chosenorelect.Onemightask,Whatabouttheoth-
ers?Willtheyalsobesaved?Peterthrowslightonthis
questioninhissecondletter,wherehewrites,Itisnot
2Pet.3:9 thattheLordisslowinfulllinghispromise,assome
suppose,butthatheisverypatientwithyou,because
itisnothiswillforanytobelost,butforalltocome
torepentance.Itisclear,then,thatGodwillsthat
everyone,includinghisenemies,mayrepentandnd
salvation.Butweshouldnotbecomeguiltyofplaying
withhispatience.
WhenChristisvictoriousinourhearts,itisnotthe
resultofaslowevolutionitdoesnotmeanbecoming
betterandbetter.Itmeansjudgmentandthenchange.
Lukewarmnessisnotachoice.Apersonwilleither
turncompletelytoJesusorwillultimatelybejudged.
Thewholeideaofthedamnationofsinfulmanis
veryhardtoacceptandreconcilewiththeloveofJesus
ashesopowerfullyrevealeditonthecrossatGolgo-
Rev.5:6
Rev.16
Jn.12:31-32
tha.Butanyonewhoremainsboundbysincannot
enterthekingdomofGod,otherwisetheworldwould
continuedividedandevil.Wedonotunderstandthe
fullnessofGodslove.YetwedoknowthatJesuscar-
riesthesinsofthewholeworld,andthathestands
beforethethroneofGod.Hissacricefortheredemp-
tionoftheworldisthecentralpoint.Weshouldnever
losesightofthat.
AsachildIalwayshadthefeelingthatsomedaythe
masses theworkingclasswouldbemovedtocome
nearertoGod.PerhapsIwasinuencedbythemany
anarchists,socialists,andreligioussocialistswhostayed
atourhouse.ButwhenIwasolderIreadintheBook
ofRevelationhowonebowlofwrathafteranother
wouldbepouredovertheearth,andstillmenwould
notrepent.Thiswasveryhardforme.Icouldnot
accepttheideaofonlyaverysmallfractionofhuman-
kindbeingsaved.Itwentagainstmywholewayof
thinking.IsearchedtheBibletheProphetsandthe
NewTestamentwiththisonequestioninmind.
WhenIreadtheGospelofJohn,Icameacrossthe
placewhereJesussaysthatjudgmentwillcomeover
theearth:Theprinceofthisworldwillbedrivenout,
andIshalldrawallmentomyself.Idonotknow
howJesuswilldoit,butIdobelievethathewilldraw
allmentohimself,andthathedidnotdieonthecross
forjustafewpeople.Jesussaysthatthewaytotruthis
narrowandthatfewpeoplewillndit,thatmostpeo-
Jn.8:1-11
Jn.8:59
Jn.8:34-35
Jn.8:24
Jn.8:51
Mt.25:1-13
plewalkthebroadwaythatleadstodamnation.This
isundeniablytrue,butitwouldbeterribleifwewere
tothinkthatweourselveshadfoundthenarrowway,
andifwehadnoloveforthosewhogothebroadway.
TheeighthchapterofJohnbeginswiththePharisees
wantingtostoneawomancaughtinadultery,andit
endswiththeirwantingtostoneJesus.Jesusangered
theJewsbecausehespokefranklyaboutwhohewas,
whathistaskwas,andhowhehadcometosavehu-
mankind.Thechapterraisesadecisivequestionfor
usandforeveryindividual:Arewewillingtobelieve
Jesuswords,ordowedoubtthem?Jesussaysthatif
wedonotbelieve,weareslaves;wearenotfreeeven
ifwethinkwearefree.Hesaysthatthereisnoother
waytondfreedom,redemption,andliberationthan
throughfaithinhim.
Healsosays,Ifyoudonotbelieve,youwilldie
inyoursins,andThosewhoobeymewillneversee
death.Thesewordshadtobesaid,fortheyarethe
truth,andtheystandforalltime.Ifwendfaith,we
willndfreedomfromsin,fromthefearofdeath,and
fromthelovelessnessofourtime.Butifwedonot
ndfaith,wewillremainslavestothesethings.The
challengetoeachofusistoloveJesusandacceptthe
freedomheoffersus.
IntheparableofthetenvirginsJesusisnotspeaking
oftheworldbutofChristians.Allthosewhowentto
Mt.5-7
meettheBridegroomwerevirgins;thatis,theywereall
Christians.Butveofthemwerewiseandvefoolish.
Theyallhadtheoutwardformthevessel.Butthey
didnotallhaveoil.TheoilofwhichJesusspeaksisthe
HolySpirit,thelifethatcomesfromGod,andonly
veofthemhadthat.
IntheBeatitudesweseethemarksofthosewho
havetheHolySpirit.Theyarepoorinspirit,they
mourn,theyaremeek,theyhungerandthirstforrigh-
teousness,theyaremercifulandpureofheart,theyare
peacemakers,andtheyarepersecutedforrighteous-
nesssake.Infact,thewholeSermonontheMount
tellsushowweshouldlive:weshouldnevercometo
prayerwithoutforgivingourbrother;weshouldlove
ourenemiesandblessthosewhocurseus;weshould
notcollectmoneyortreasuresonearth;weshouldput
ourwholetrustintheFather;andweshoulduseno
force.
Itisasharpjudgmentthatthefoolishvirginsare
notallowedintothekingdomofheaven,andthisisa
two-foldcalltous.Theoneistowatchandwaitfor
theHolySpiritsothathemaychangeoursoulandour
being,andsothatwemayberebornsothatweare
toucheddailybyJesus.Theotheristoliveforthose
whoarewithusonthewaytomeettheBridegroom,
andtocallthemtohaveoilintheirlamps.Theouter
formisnotenough;itisnotenoughtoliveincom-
munityortofollowtheouterformsofChristianity
eventothelast.Discipleshipmustspringfromaliving
heart.
Lk.1:15
ItmaybethatGodpre-ordainscertainpeopletobehis
own.ItisclearthatJohntheBaptistwaschosenbefore
hisbirth,andIcanalsoimaginethattheApostlePaul
wasmeanttobewhathewasalongtimebeforehe
wasborn.Butifthereissuchathingascertainpeople
beingordainedbyGodtobehis,evenbeforetheyare
born,thenhowisitwithalltherest?IntheOldTesta-
Ezek.18:23
mentweread,HaveIanydesire,saystheLordGod,
forthedeathofawickedman?WouldInotrather
2Pet.3:9
thatheshouldmendhiswaysandlive?Andinthe
NewTestamentweread,ItisnotGodswillforany
soultobelost,butforalltocometorepentance.So
theBiblemakesitclearthatGodwantsallmentobe
saved.
Lk.22:31-32
JesussaidtoSimonPeter,Behold,Satandemandsto
haveyou,thathemightsiftyoulikewheat,butIhave
prayedforyouthatyourfaithmaynotfail;andwhen
youhaveturnedagain,strengthenyourbrethren.I
thinkSatandemandstosiftustoo,andwemustask
Jesustoprayforusthatourfaithmaynotfail,alsofor
thesakeofourbrothers.
Lk.22:54-62
WheneverIfail,Ikeenlyfeelthewords:TheLord
turnedandlooked.IamsurethatJesushasturned
andlookedatusmanytimesverysadly.WhenJesus
saidthatPeterwoulddenyhim,hewasnotjuststating
apredestinedfactthatlefthimuntouched.Itpained
himeventhoughheknewbeforehandthatitwould
happen.ItwasthesamewithJudas.WhenJesusshud-
deredandsaid,Oneofyouwillbetrayme,hesuf-
feredrealagony.Mayweallhaveanopenheartforthe
Jn.31:21 lookJesusgivesus.Hewantstoprotecthisfollowers,
butevenaftertheyarechosenbyhimtheyarestillin
dangerofbeinglost.
Woetousifwethinkwewillgettoheavenbecause
weliveattheBruderhof.Ifwebelievethis,wedont
loveChristenough.
PaulwritesinhislettertotheRomansthatJesuscame
notonlyfortheJewsbutforallmen.Hegoesonto
say,ThetrueJewisnothewhoissuchinexternals;
noristhetruecircumcisiontheexternalmarkinthe
Rom.2:28 esh.ThetrueJewishewhoissuchinwardly.In
thesameway,thetrueChristianisnotrecognizable
outwardlyevenifheisbaptized.Topourwaterover
apersonorimmersehiminwaterisinitselfnohelp
towardsalvation.Truecircumcisionisoftheheart,
directednotbywrittenpreceptsbutbytheSpirit;
suchamanreceiveshiscommendationnotfrommen
Rom.2:29
butfromGod.Thisisanimportantpoint:faithis
notmadeupofwrittenprecepts.Paulwasreferringto
theLawofMoses,buttodaytoo,wecanbeenslaved
bywrittenlawsthisisoneofourdilemmasatthe
Bruderhof.Wemustnevergiveupthefreedomofthe
Spirit,inwhichalonewecanndpeaceinGod.
Evenifwedonotcompletelyunderstandthe
thoughtsofPaulregardingsalvation,theheartand
Rom.3:28
1Cor.15:28
thesenseofhiswordsareveryeasytounderstand:the
PhariseeskepttheLawbutwerestillproudhypocrites,
whereasourargumentisthatamanisjustiedby
faith,quiteapartfromhissuccessinkeepingthelaw.
Youmaywonderaboutthemillennium,theresur-
rectionofthejust,andthefutureofGodskingdom.
SimplyleaveitalltoGod.Wefacemanymysteriesre-
gardingthefuture;wedonotknowthereasonforthis,
that,ortheother.Themainthingisthatintheend
Godisallinall.Hewilltriumphoverallevilandover
allthatishostiletohim.Thatshouldbeourgreatest
expectation.
TheKingdomofGod
ItisquiteclearthatthekingdomofGodcannotexist
wherebombsarebeingdroppedonpeople,whether
guiltyorinnocent,wherethereisracialhatredamong
men,wherethereissuchpoordistributionoffoodthat
somepeoplestarvewhileothershavesurplusfood,or
wherepeoplecannotndworkbecauseofautomation.
Ifwereallyseetheinjusticeoftheworldforwhatit
is,wewilllongforthekingdomofGod.Onlywhen
theheartsofmenaremovedtowardloveandpeace
willhisrighteousnessbreakin.Thosewhoremain
unmoved,however,cannottakepartinthekingdom.
ThereforeJohntheBaptistsaid,Repent,fortheking-
Mt.3:2 domofGodisathand.AndJesussaid,Seekrstthe
Mt.6:33 kingdomofGodandhisrighteousness,andeverything
elsewillbeyoursaswell.
Jesuscametoprepareallmenforthekingdomof
God,whichhasnotyetcome,asweknowonlytoo
well.Hetoldusthatthekingdomwillbeamongus
whenweloveGodwithourwholeheartandsoul,and
whenweloveourneighborasourselves.Ifonlywe
woulddothis,notjustinwordsbutindeed!
Jesuscamenotasagreatkingorpresidentbutasa
humblebaby.Thatiswhatpeoplehavenotunder-
stood.HeproclaimedthecomingkingdomofGod.
Therehasperhapsneverbeenatimewhenthisismore
urgentlyneededthanthepresent.Menhavemore
powerthanever,andthepoweroftheirweaponsis
frightening.Therelationshipsofpeople,races,and
nations,areunsolved,andthosewhohavemoneyrule.
Jesussaysweshouldbecomepoor.Ifweobeyhim
Mt.19:21
andgiveupworldlyprivilegesandpoweroverpeople,
ourheartswillbefreedforthekingdomofGod.Oh,
ifwecouldonlyglimpsewhatthiskingdommeans:
repentance,glowinglove,andGodsrulershipabove
everything!
Nationsarebuildingtheirfreedomandsecurityonthe
mostdangerousweaponsthathaveeverexisted.Yetwe
arecalledtobuildoursecurityonsomethingelse
thatwhichisofGod.Andwelongthatsomethingof
Godmightbegiventoallnations.Itisnotenoughto
leadeventhemostperfectlifeofpeaceinchurchcom-
munity.Ourlongingwillbesatisedonlywhenthe
wholeearthcomesundertherulershipofGod,notthe
rulershipofforce.
Jn.6:11
WhenJesusfedvethousandpeoplewithveloaves
andtwoshes,aremarkablethinghappened:the
Jn.6:15
Jn.6:26-66
Jn.6:67-68
peoplewantedtoforcehimtobecometheirking.
ButJesussaidtothem,YoucometomebecauseI
havefedyou,andherejectedthem.Thenthosewho
wantedtomakehimkinglefthim.Someofthemwere
evenhostile.AfterthisJesussaidtotheTwelve,Allthe
othershavegoneaway;doyouwanttoleavemenow
too?Wemustbereadytoanswerthisquestion:Do
wealsowanttoleave?
Itissignicantthatthepeoplewantedtomake
Jesuskingonlyafterhegavethembread.Thisdidnot
happenevenwhenheraisedsomeonefromthedead.
ThereisnothingwronginitselfwithexpectingGodto
giveusbread,orexpectingJesustollourneeds.Jesus
taughtustoaskourFatherforourdailybread.But
whathesosharplyrejectsisthebuildingofakingdom
onthatmammonisticlevel.Hewouldratherlosehis
disciplesthanbuildhiskingdomonafalsefoundation.
Jesusofferstogivehimselftoeachoneofustothe
extentthatwebecomeoneeshandonebloodwith
him.Thisisnotaphilosophy,butrealfood;itislife.It
changeseverythinginanyonewhoexperiencesit,not
onlyforthatmomentbutforalleternity.
Christpromisesuseternallifeinakingdombased
onfaith,notonworkandbread.Usuallyakingde-
mandsthebloodofhissubjects.ButChristgavehis
bloodforhissubjects.Hegavehislifeandhisbodyfor
thelivesofothers.AtthetimeChristofferedhisbody
tohisdisciples,hehadasfarasweknowthelarg-
estfollowingofhislifetime.Butafterthis,manyleft
him.ThatiswhyJesusaskedtheTwelve,Doyoualso
wanttoleaveme?Petersansweriswonderful:Lord,
towhomshallwego?Yourwordsarewordsofeternal
life.
Itisimportantforustodecidewhetherwewant
onlyanicechurchwithJesusasitsking,orthewayof
thecross.Thismustbeverycleartous:Jesuswayis
thewayofthecross,ofcompletepersonalchange,ofa
societyonacompletelydifferentbasisthanworkand
breadandprivileges.Wemustbewillingtobesur-
roundedbyenemiesandtobedespisedforgoinghis
way.
Thewaysocietyhasdevelopedinthiscenturyofsuch
tremendousinjusticeandbloodshedshowsusthat
salvationandredemptioncannotcomefrommen;they
mustcomefromGod.Allthemorewemustcallon
Godtorevealonceagainhiskingdomofrighteousness
andjusticeamongmen.
JesusisthekingdomofGod.Whenheforgavesins,
thatwasthekingdomofGod.Whenhegatheredhis
friendsinunity,thatwasthekingdomofGod.When
hedroveoutdemonsandimpurespirits,thatwasthe
kingdomofGod.Everydeedofhismissionamong
menwasthekingdomofGod.
Isometimeswonderwhetherourcommunityhas
notcompletelyforgottenthekingdomofGod,and
whetherthedistinctionbetweenpersonalsalvationand
thekingdomisclearenoughtous.Bothareofgreat
importance.Eternalsalvationisveryimportantitis
wonderfultoexperiencethenearnessofChristandto
beredeemedbyhim.ButthekingdomofGodisstill
greater!
ThenearnessofthekingdomofGodcannotbemea-
Mt.4:17 suredintermsoftime.JesussaidThekingdomof
heavenisathand!Andparadoxicalasitsounds,itwas
neareratthattimethanitisnow.Itwasnotnearerin
termsoftime,butintermsofspace.
Jas.5:16
ThekingdomofGodmustbefoughtforandwrestled
Mk.9:29 for.Theprayersofmenandwomenhavetremendous
inuenceinthisght.
IfweloveChristandhiscause,wewillhavetheinter-
estofhiskingdomatheart.Christcametothisearth
andsufferedinordertobringthekingdomonearth,
andhischurchisentrustedwiththeverygreattaskof
missionforthiskingdom.
WhatamightythingitistoliveforGodsking-
dom!Donotshrinkback.Liveforit;lookforit,and
youwillndthatitissopowerfulitwillcompletely
overwhelmyouitwillsolveeveryproblemonearth.
Everythingwillbenew,andeachpersonwilllovethe
Rom.5:12-19
otherinChrist.Allseparationbroughtaboutbydeath
willbeovercome,andlovewillrule.
ThecommissionwearegivenbyJesusasachurchis
toworkforhiskingdomandhisfuturereign.Thereis
nothinggreateronearththantoworkforthis.Letus
liveintenselyanduseourtimeforthekingdom!Letus
loveoneanother!
Godneedsaplaceonearthwherehecanbreakin.
SuchaplacewasthereinMary,whosewillingness
madeitpossibleforChristtobeborninBethlehem.
IfGodcanenterinevenoneplace,whetherinBethle-
hem,China,Russia,Vietnaminahumanheartany-
whereitisliketheopeningofadoor.Ifthedoortoa
roomisopenedevenalittle,lightcancomein.Andif
Godslightentersandmovestheheartsofjusttwoor
threepeopleonearth,itwillaffectalltherest.Itwill
evenaffectpresidents,primeministers,generals,and
soldiers.Icannotbelievethathumansaresoisolated
fromoneanotherthatithasnoeffect.
JustasthroughAdamthewholeofhumankindfell,
sothroughJesusthesecondAdam,thetrueman,
andGodhimselfthewholeofhumankindcannd
freedom,healing,andredemption.
LetuscalluponGodandaskhimthatwemayght
forhiskingdom.Themoredeeplyweenterthisght,
Rev.14:9-10
themoredeeplywewillexperiencethecrossofChrist,
theresurrection,andPentecostandthenearerthe
kingdomwillbetous.Liveintensivelyintheexpecta-
tionoftheLord!HewhodoesnotwaitfortheLordin
everyaspectofhislifedoesnotwaitatall.Iaskmy-
selfeveryevening,haveIreallylovedenough,hoped
enough,foughtenough,workedenough?Theexpecta-
tionofthekingdommustleadtodeeds.
KarlBarth*oncesaidthatthekingdomofGodmust
berevealedtousassomethingcompletelydifferent
fromus,somethingcompletelyindependentfromus
whichwecannotmixwithourownselves.Thisis,I
think,averyimportantrecognition.Unlesswedieto
ourselvesforhissake,weremaininoppositiontohim
andunworthyofhim.
GodcouldhaveclosedhumanhistoryatGolgotha,
whenJesusovercamethedevilanddeath.Buthedid
notdothat,andevilhadafurtherchance.Thisisa
mysterytous.Manypeoplefromallnationsarewon
forthekingdomofGod,butmanyothersaremisled.
Idonotdaretoguesswhythisisso,butIknowthat
Godistheruleroftheuniverseandthathisjudgment
muststand.Wereadthatthosewhoaremisled,those
whoworshipthebeastanditsimage,willreceive
itsmarkontheirforeheadorhandandwilldrinkthe
*KarlBarth,Swisstheologian,1886-1968
Mt.24:36
Lk.21:9-11
Lk.12:39-40
wineofGodswrath.Wedontknowwhenthiswill
happen,orwhenthebreakinginofGodskingdom
willcome,butwemustraiseourchildrensothatthey
arereadytostandrmwhenitdoes.Ourchildren
mustbecourageousenoughtostandforthetruth.
HowdoesthekingdomofGodrelatetothelastjudg-
ment?Howwillthekingdomcome,andwhatwillit
belike?MuchisshownusthroughthesayingsofJesus
himself,throughthewritingsoftheearlychurch,and
throughtheworkingoftheSpiritintheindividual
heart.YetJesussaidthatthehourofthecomingking-
domwasknowntotheFatheraloneandthatevenhe,
theSonofGod,didnotknowwhenitwouldcome.
Wecanapproachthesequestionsonlywithgreatest
awe,reverence,andcaution.Atthesametime,though,
weseehowveryconcernedtheearlyChristianswere
withthecomingofthekingdom.Allthewordsofthe
apostlespointtoit.
Wedonotknowhownearorfarwearefromthe
kingdomofGodintermsoftime.Butweknowwe
canbeverynearorveryfarfromitinspirit,andthat
isthedecisivequestion.Jesussaidthatwecanexpect
signsofthecomingkingdom,andsomeofthesesigns
areevidenttoday.Yethealsosaidthatthelastday
wouldcomelikeathiefinthenight;thatis,atamo-
mentwhennooneexpectsitoristhinkingaboutit.
Rev.19:11-21
Therearemanymysterieswecannotsolvebecause
Godwishestokeepthemhidden.Butwecanrejoice
inthis:thecomingofthekingdomiscertain,anditis
akingdomofpeace,victory,andjustice.
WedonotknowwhyGodalloweddeathandevil
toentercreation,yetwedoknowthatmanlethimself
beseducedbyevil.Inthesameway,wedonotknow
whatstruggleGodcarriedonagainstevilbeforethe
creationofman,ortheproportionandnatureofmans
taskinthisstruggle,butwedoknowthatitwasa
decisivestruggleandthatitbroughttheSonofGod
himselftothecross.
IntheRevelationofJohnwereadofabattlethat
willtakeplaceinheavenattheendtime.Thechurch
astheBodyofChrist hastocarryonthesamebattle
hereuponearth.JustasGoddidnotsparethesuffer-
ingofhisownSonbutdeliveredhimuptosufferthe
greatestneed,sotoo,attheexpenseandsacriceofthe
church,thekingdomwillbreakin.
Theseparationofthespiritualfromthematerial,of
thesoulfromthebody,isdeath,butunityislife.Jesus
broughtthemessageofanewkingdomwheresoul
andbody,spiritualandmaterial,willnolongerbe
separated.InthisnewkingdomtheCreatorwillbeone
withhiscreation.
Whenwelookattheearthasitisnow,weseethat
judgmentisinevitable.Infact,thesinofmenisal-
readycarryingoutthisjudgment.Yetifwedeeply
considerthewordsofChrist,wewillndthatgrace,
mercy,andcompassionwilltriumphoverjudgment.
Weexpectanewheavenandanewearth,butwe
mustnottroubleourselveswithexactlyhowandwhen
thekingdomwillcome.Weknowonlythatitiscom-
2Pet.3:12 ing.AndsincePetersaysthatthechurchmustexpect,
help,andhastenonthecomingofGod,weknowitis
ourtasktoseethatsomethingofhiskingdomisre-
vealedandmadelivingamongus.
Inthebeginning,evenbeforethecreationoftheuni-
verse,wastheendlesslylovingFather,God,andwith
himtheWord,whichisJesusChrist,andtheHoly
Spirit.Attheendoftime,too,Godalonewillrule.
Groaningcreationwillberedeemedandtheuniverse
Rev.7:17 willbejoyful.Therewillbepurejoy,love,harmony,
Rev.21:4 andjustice.Godwillwipeawayeverytear,andthere
willbenodeath,sorrow,orpain.Thelongingforthis
timeburnsintheheartofeverybeing,spiritualorhu-
man.
Whatagreatgiftitwouldbeifwecouldseealittle
ofthegreatvisionofJesusifwecouldseebeyond
oursmalllives!Certainlyourviewisverylimited.
Butwecanatleastaskhimtocallusoutofoursmall
worldsandourself-centeredness,andwecanatleast
asktofeelthechallengeofthegreatharvestthatmust
begatheredtheharvestofallnationsandallpeople,
includingthegenerationsofthefuture.
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