Today we will look at wise quotes from great Christian authors that went through some difficult times. One of the authors spent two years in prison and was eventually hung after rescuing Jews from the Nazis and speaking out against Hitler. That author was Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Three Quotes By Dietrich Bonhoeffer, A German Theologian (1906-1945)
Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; he waited until one of them turned to him.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote the book, The Cost of Discipleship, as a call for believers to more faithful and radical obedience to Christ and a severe rebuke of comfortable Christianity. Bonhoeffer even wrote some of these quotes featured today, from prison.
Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. ‘The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Interesting Fact: Bonhoeffer was a German Pastor, Theologian, anti-Nazi dissident and key founding member of the Confessing Church.
In a word, live together in the forgiveness of your sins, for without it no human fellowship, least of all a marriage, can survive. Don’t insist on your rights, don’t blame each other, don’t judge or condemn each other, don’t find fault with each other, but accept each other as you are, and forgive each other every day from the bottom of your hearts…
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
For more information on Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life, click here.
A Quote By Charles Spurgeon, An English Particular Baptist Preacher (1834-1892)
Interesting Fact: Spurgeon began preaching barely in his teens!
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
Charles H. Spurgeon
A Quote By Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015)
Elisabeth Elliot and her husband, Jim, were missionaries in Ecuador. They worked among the Auca Indians. Jim eventually was killed by these Indians. Here is a quote from Elisabeth that means a great deal to me personally.
I have one desire now – to live a life of reckless abandon for the Lord, putting all my energy and strength into it.
Elisabeth Elliot
Interesting Fact: Elliot returned to the Indians that killed her husband, Jim Elliott, to continue sharing the gospel with them. She wrote the book Through Gates of Splendor, to recount the mission of Jim and four other men to bring Christianity to their remote village in Ecuador.
A Quote By D.L.Moody(1837-1899)
Interesting Fact: Moody was an American Evangelist and Publisher. He founded Moody Church, Moody Publishers and Moody Bible Institute in Chicago Illinois.
Out of 100 men, one will read the Bible, the other 99 will read the Christian.
D.L.Moody
A Quote By Martin Luther(1483-1546)
Interesting Fact: Notable work:Ninety-Five-Theses. Luther was a German monk who started the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. He became one of the most influential and controversial figures of Christianity.
All the cunning of the devil is exercised in trying to tear us away from the word.
Martin Luther
A Quote By Amy Carmichael (1867-1951)
Interesting Fact: Amy was an Irish Christian missionary who served in India at an orphanage she founded, for 55 years without a furlough.
We profess to be strangers and pilgrims, seeking after a country of our own, yet we settle down in the most un-stranger-like fashion, exactly as if we were quite at home and meant to stay as long as we could. I don’t wonder apostolic miracles have died. Apostolic living certainly has.
Amy Carmichael
A Quote By A.W.Tozer(1897-1963)
Interesting Fact: Tozer was an American Pastor, author and spiritual mentor. He was called by many, a “modern-day prophet.”
If we cooperate with Him in loving obedience, God will manifest Himself to us, and that manifestation will be the difference between a nominal Christian life and a life radiant with the light of His face.
A.W.Tozer
A Quote By St.Augustine(354 AD-430 AD)
Interesting Fact: his name was Augustine of Hippo, was also known as Saint Augustine. He was a theologian, philosopher and bishop of Hippo Regiusin Numidia, Roman North Africa. He was a bishop from 396-430 AD. Augustine was considered an unlikely convert as he was at one point, an atheist. Reading the book of Romans, in the New Testament, changed Augustine’s life.
There can only be two basic loves… the love of God unto the forgetfulness of self, or the love of self unto the forgetfulness and denial of God.
St.Augustine
A Final Bonus Quote By Elisabeth Elliot
Notes listed above on Elisabeth Elliot’s life.
Leave it all in the hands that were wounded for you.
Elisabeth Elliot
Some Thought Provoking Questions:
- What quote was your favorite?
- Why is it your favorite quote?
- What does this quote encourage you to do?
Thank you for the post. Some of the quotes reminded me of biographies I read many years ago, which I think I should revisit! My favourite is the bonus quote. Short yet so powerful.
I’m so glad that you like them!
After reading from an article about the sin of pride, I come upon your excellent presentation of quotations and the quoters. I think I like best the final quotation from Elisabeth Elliot. The wounds that Christ received remind us that the spiritual is real in every way.
It’s a great one! Thank you for commenting!
Excellent selection of quotes. I like the mini bio you put with each writer. I have a copy of Bonhoeffer’s the “Cost of Discipleship” sitting amongst my “to read” stack of books. The quote you shared has inspired me to move it to the top of the pile.
Thank you! I want to get The Cost of Discipleship now as well! I see a lot truth in his quotes!
Good choice of quotes – very inspiring.
They are really great quotes. But I like AW Tozer. What can be better than the radiance of His wonderful face in your life!
Yes!!!
Thank you for this post. It is good stuff to reflect on!! And 👍
I’m glad you like it! They are really great quotes! I love the Bonhoeffer quotes a lot! But all are good. It is interesting studying the history of all of these authors
I think this is my favorite:
‘Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. ‘The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’
It tell us that we have to take the Gospel into the midst of our evil world, even into the den of satan if necessary. Not just the sanctuary on Sunday morning and Wednesday night.
AMEN!!!! So true!!! I love the quotes this week and I so appreciate your comments on this one! To God be the glory!