Forgiveness Quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
““The community of the saints is not an "ideal" community consisting of perfect and sinless men and women, where there is no need of further repentance. No, it is a community which proves that it is worthy of the gospel of forgiveness by constantly and sincerely proclaiming God's forgiveness...Sanctification means driving out the world from the Church as well as separating the Church from the world. But the purpose of such discipline is not to establish a community of the perfect, but a community consisting of men who really live under the forgiving mercy of God.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Cost of Discipleship, 1937
A true Christian community is defined by ongoing repentance and forgiveness, not by perfection; it separates from worldly sin while embodying mercy.
In simple terms: Community is about forgiveness, not perfection.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and continual repentance.
Themes
forgiveness
community
spiritual growth
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- church leadership
- personal spiritual formation
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
sanctification
discipline
grace
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance truth and grace in community?
- What practices foster ongoing repentance?
A Different Perspective
Perfection is unattainable; focus on genuine mercy.
