Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1932) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How easy it is in our country where we tend to take our freedom for granted to view the physical presence of other Christians as an assumed privilege. In other cases, we can grow bitterly disappointed with other Christians and shun contact with them like the plague.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenges us to view the physical presence of other Christians as “a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.” We may see, he says, “in the companionship of our fellow Christians a physical sign of the gracious presence of the triune God. It is grace,” he says, “nothing but grace, that we are allowed to live in community with Christian [brothers and sisters].”

Do you view your brothers and sisters in Christ in this fashion? If not, why not? Ask the Lord to show you His gracious presence and goodness through your brothers and sisters in Christ.