Bonhoeffer on Community

I've just finished reading, Life Together – The Ckassic Exploration of Christian Community by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I commend it to anyone thinking of living in community. Some of his thoughts: “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.”
Though Bonhoeffer didn't use this mantra as a requirement for living in community, dying to all selfish ambition or self absorption is bottom line requirement for a successful experience in community living. If everyone in the community had that personal philosoophy - thinking of the best for everyone else - how productive would be that group.

I'm in that kind of community now. Our daughter Kristin, is the epitome of desiring the best for all concerned, followed closely by her mother. Kris's hubby comes in third and I bring up the rear. The five children are learning!!! Their prayer for each meal usually includes, "And God, please help grandpa's leg to heal." They cheered for me the other day as I took my first steps without hanging on to something. My new APO is working wonders. It is called an Ipsolon (if that is spelled correctly.) It is a brace that is very supportive.

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethern to dwell together in unity:” Ps.133:1
Bonhoeffer believes in the ocmmunity but is againt the cloistered: "The Christian belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes…to bring peace to the enemies of God."

Bonhoeffer challenges us regarding "THE GOAL OF ALL CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY:
God has put His Word into the mouth of men in order that it may be communicated to other men. When one person is struck by the Word, he speaks it to others. God has willed that we should seek and find His living Word in he witness of a brother, in the mouth of man.. Therefore the Christian needs another Christian who speaks God’s Word to him. He needs him again and again when he becomes uncertain and discouraged, for by himself he cannot help himself without belying the truth. He needs his brother man as a bearer and proclaimer of the divine word.

"God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others and by himself. He enters the community of Chrsitians with his demands, sets up his own law and judges the brethren and God Himself accordingly.

"When sin and misunderstanding burden the communal life, is not the sinning brother still a brother, with whom I, too, stand under the Word of Christ? Will not his sin be a constant occasion for me to give thanks that both of us may live in the forgiving love of God in Jesus Christ? Thus the very hour of disillusionment with my brother becomes incomparably salutary, because it so thoroughly teaches me that neither of us us can live by our own words and deeds, but only by that one Word.

"Only he who gives thanks in the little things receives the big things. We prevent God from giving us the great spiritual gifts He has in store for us, because we do not give thanks for daily gifts. How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little thingss. The more thankfully we daily receive what is given, the more surely and steadily will fellowship increase and grow from day to day as God pleases."

More from Bonhoeffer to come.