What is the difference between a Christian and a pagan?  This is one of those questions I had never given much thought too, until I read a reflection on the subject written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  Bonhoeffer writes:

"People go to God in their need, for help they plead, for good fortune they ask, and for bread, for rescue from illness, guilt, and death.  They all do it, all of them, Christians and pagans.

People go to God in his need; they find him poor, reviled without shelter and bread; they see him swallowed by sin, weakness, and death. Christians stand with God in his suffering.

God goes to all people in their need and satisfies body and soul with his bread;  God goes to his death on the cross, for Christians and for pagans, and forgives them both."

Had you asked me the question, "What is the difference between Christians and pagans?", prior to my having read Bonhoeffer's words, I would have given you a suitable answer.  "Christians are those who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord."  "Christians are those who are part of the church of Jesus Christ." "Christians are those who love God and neighbor with all that they are."

Had you asked me to comment, prior to reading Bonhoeffer's words, I would have given you a suitable answer.  However, Bonhoeffer gets to the heart of the matter.  Regardless of their faith, people turn to God in time of need.  Regardless of their faith, God embraces and forgives all people, Christians and pagans alike.  But here is the difference.  "People go to God in his need; they find him poor, reviled, without shelter and bread; they see him swallowed by sin, weakness, and death.  Christians stand with God in his suffering."  "Christians stand with God in his suffering."

I hadn't really thought of it like this.  In my mind, we are the ones in need.  God is omniscient and omnipotent.  God is the One who sustains us, when we are weak. God is the One, who forgives our sins and heals our infirmities.  My focus is almost always upon what we might become - what our church, our community, God's creation, might become - if only we will embrace the love God offers and live the life of faith.

Again, there is nothing wrong with my perspective. But it doesn't get to the heart of the matter.  The heart of the matter is this.  While the life of faith certainly offers the promise of a better quality of life than if we reject God's love, the truth is, there will always be moments and times in our lives when we reject God's love.  None of us are without sin. Apart from God's grace, we will never become the person, community or church we were created to be.  We live in a sinful world, where even our good works become corrupt.  All we can do is recognize our humanity and turn to God.

When we do, when we see ourselves for who we are, a people in need of grace, then we are able to stand with God in God's need.  People of faith, that, Dr. Bonhoeffer says, is what makes all the difference.

See you in church!

Monmouth Roseville High School