The only man who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ

The only man who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German theologian and pastor, is known for his strong belief in the importance of living out one's faith through action. He famously said, "The only man who has the right to say that he is justified by grace alone is the man who has left all to follow Christ." This statement reflects Bonhoeffer's understanding of the true nature of faith and the radical commitment required to truly follow Christ.

For Bonhoeffer, faith was not simply a matter of belief or intellectual assent. It was a way of life, a total surrender to the will of God. He believed that true faith was demonstrated through action, through living out the teachings of Christ in every aspect of one's life. This meant not only believing in the grace of God, but also actively seeking to embody that grace in one's relationships, work, and daily interactions.

Bonhoeffer's own life exemplified this commitment to living out his faith. He was a vocal critic of the Nazi regime and actively worked to resist their oppressive policies. He was eventually arrested and executed for his involvement in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Throughout his life, Bonhoeffer remained steadfast in his belief that true faith required action, even in the face of great personal risk.

In the context of Bonhoeffer's life and teachings, the statement that only the man who has left all to follow Christ has the right to say he is justified by grace alone takes on a deeper meaning. It is not enough to simply believe in the grace of God; one must also be willing to act on that belief, to make sacrifices and take risks in order to live out the teachings of Christ. Only those who have truly given themselves over to the will of God, who have left behind their own desires and ambitions to follow Christ, can claim to be justified by grace alone.