I’ve had this book, A Year with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, for a while, and pick it up when I have a mind to. It contains letters and writings of Bonhoeffer stretched out across a full calendar year. It’s really interesting and whenever I do pick it up, I learn something good. He was a great man of God.
Saturday, I picked it up and read the entry for February 5th. Here it is:
“Almost all of us have grown up with the idea that the Scripture reading is solely a matter of hearing the Word of God for today. That is why for many the Scripture reading consists only of a few brief selected verses that are to form the central idea of the day. There can be no doubt that the daily Bible passages published by the Moravian Brethren, for example, are a real blessing to all who have ever used them. Many people have realized that to their great amazement and have been grateful for the daily Bible readings particularly during the time of the church struggle. But equally there can be little doubt that brief passages cannot and must not tak the place of reading the Scripture as a whole. The verse for the day is not yet the Holy Scriptures that will remain throughout all time until the Day of Judgement. Te Holy Scriptures are more than selected Bible passages It is also more than “Bread for Today.” It is God’ revealed Word for all peoples, for all times. The Holy Scriptures do not consist of individual sayings, but are a whole and can be used most effectively as such…The ful witness to Jesus Christ the Lord can be clearly heard only in its immeasurable inner relationships, in the connection of Old and New Testaments, of promise and fulfillment, sacrifice and law, Law and Gospel, cross and resurrection, faith and obedience, having and hoping.”
– from Life Together 58-60
I’m guilty as charged. I’ve not even respected the Scriptures enough to read the “couple verses” or passage each day. God’s Word is precious and I’m not neglecting It out of ignorance to the strength, comfort, joy that comes from reading It. I’m not reading it because of this lie in my mind that tells me I don’t have the time or that I know enough of it already. That’s far from the truth, and I definitely know it. I’m always learning something new through reading my Bible. So, there you have it…a conviction and resolution of sorts.
Check out the martyr Bonhoeffer’s life here.
