Strength for Today

To bid someone to "come and die" seems a rather strange request, perhaps even cold. But that is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) offered in this famous quote: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." I believe that might be in his book The Cost of Discipleship. One thing I am sure of: discipleship cost Bonhoeffer his life, but many have been so inspired by his life that they have risen up to follow Christ. Here is what our Lord Jesus said. "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24, 25). L. E. Wilkinson noted, "To be willing to accept crucifixion with Christ; to leave all yourself; your plans and your longings, your abilities and your possessions, all of them at the cross so that you only trust and love and live for Christ, hurts a great deal . . . . It requires an absolute venture of faith; but beyond it, God says, 'much fruit.' And the way to it is 'into the ground and die' -- it is the only way." George Macdonald adds, "You will be dead so long as you refuse to die." This goes against human nature and modern thinking, but it is really the ony way for a Christian to live. By dying to self and to sin. Come and die!