--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: And what does the text inform us about…" description: "\"“And what does the text inform us about the content of discipleship? Follow me, run along behind me! That is all. To follow in his steps is something w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a4/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_christ-alone_and-what-does-the-text-inform-us-about-t_2575731.jpg" --- # And what does the text inform us about the content of… ![“And what does the text inform us about the content of discipleship? Follow me, run along behind me! That is all. To follow in his steps is something which is void of all content. It gives us no intelligible programme for a way of life, no goal or ideal to strive after. It is not a cause which…” quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a4/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_christ-alone_and-what-does-the-text-inform-us-about-t_2575731.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a4/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_christ-alone_and-what-does-the-text-inform-us-about-t_2575731.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8a4/dietrich-bonhoeffer-303_christ-alone_and-what-does-the-text-inform-us-about-t_2575731.jpg) > ““And what does the text inform us about the content of discipleship? Follow me, run along behind me! That is all. To follow in his steps is something which is void of all content. It gives us no intelligible programme for a way of life, no goal or ideal to strive after. It is not a cause which human calculation might deem worthy of our devotion, even the devotion of ourselves. What happens? At the call, Levi leaves all that he has--but not because he thinks that he might be doing something worth while, but simply for the sake of the call. Otherwise he cannot follow in the steps of Jesus. This act on Levi's part has not the slightest value in itself, it is quite devoid of significance and unworthy of consideration. This disciple simply burns his boats and goes ahead. He is called out, and has to forsake his old life in order that he may "exist" in the strictest sense of the word. The old life is left behind, and completely surrendered. The disciple is dragged out of his relative security into a life of absolute insecurity (that is, in truth, into the absolute security and safety of the fellowship of Jesus), from a life which is observable and calculable (it is, in fact, quite incalculable) into a life where everything is unobservable and fortuitous (that is, into one which is necessary and calculable), out of the realm of finite (which is in truth the infinite) into the realm of infinite possibilities (which is the one liberating reality). Again it is no universal law. Rather is it the exact opposite of all legality. It is nothing else than bondage to Jesus Christ alone, completely breaking through every programme, every ideal, every set of laws. No other significance is possible, since Jesus is the only significance. Beside Jesus nothing has any significance. He alone matters.”” [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True discipleship is abandoning all personal goals and security to wholly follow Christ, embracing uncertainty and total dependence on Him. **In simple terms:** Follow Christ completely, leaving all else behind. Key Takeaway Surrender everything for Christ. Themes faith sacrifice identity security infinity Mood reflective serious hopeful Type theological inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - missionary work - personal crisis - spiritual formation - life decisions - community life Key Concepts theology existentialism spiritual freedom Questions to Reflect On - What would you give up to follow Christ fully? - How does uncertainty shape spiritual growth? 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No religious activity will be sufficient, only true faith in Jesus Christ alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/only-through-repentance-and-faith-in-christ-can-anyone-be-saved-no/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Live for Christ alone!.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/live-for-christ-alone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Dietrich Bonhoeffer > [So the fool, as distinct from the scoundrel, is completely self- satisfied; in fact, he can easily become dangerous, as it does not take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/so-the-fool-as-distinct-from-the-scoundrel-is-completely-self/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? 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Otherwise the church becomes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/the-church-can-only-defend-its-own-space-by-fighting-not-for-space/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [There remains an experience of incomparable value . . . to see the great events of world history from below; from the perspective of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-remains-an-experience-of-incomparable-value-to-see-the-great/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“To endure the cross is not a tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/to-endure-the-cross-is-not-a-tragedy-it-is-the-suffering-which-is-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“There is only one church, the church of faith ruled by the word of Jesus Christ alone. This is the true catholic church that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/there-is-only-one-church-the-church-of-faith-ruled-by-the-word-of/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“As Christians, we needn’t be at all ashamed of some impatience, longing, opposition to what is unnatural, and our full share of desire for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/as-christians-we-needn-t-be-at-all-ashamed-of-some-impatience-longing/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [Those who love their dream of a Christian community more than the Christian community itself become destroyers of that Christian community even though their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/those-who-love-their-dream-of-a-christian-community-more-than-the/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [“From now on there can be no more wars of faith. 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Our provision is from God alone, not our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paddick-van-zyl/our-identity-is-in-christ-not-in-our-work-our-accomplishments-or-our/) [Paddick Van Zyl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paddick-van-zyl/) > [“If thou hast ever come to the blood of sprinkling, thou wilt feel thy need of coming to it every day. He who does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/if-thou-hast-ever-come-to-the-blood-of-sprinkling-thou-wilt-feel-thy/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [Live for Christ alone!.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/live-for-christ-alone/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I hope not in works. I hope not in ethics. I hope not in baptisms or church membership. I hope in Christ alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-washer/i-hope-not-in-works-i-hope-not-in-ethics-i-hope-not-in-baptisms-or/) [Paul Washer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-washer/) > [All self-effort is but sinking sand. Christ alone is the Rock of our salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/all-self-effort-is-but-sinking-sand-christ-alone-is-the-rock-of-our/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [“Indeed for all of us who are believers, our present circumstances and futures aren't defined by our pasts. Our identities are found in Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-rosati/indeed-for-all-of-us-who-are-believers-our-present-circumstances-and/) [Kelly Rosati](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-rosati/) > [The love for our enemies takes us along the way of the cross and into fellowship with the Crucified. 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Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [Christ alone can bring lasting peace - peace with God - peace among men and nations - and peace within our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/christ-alone-can-bring-lasting-peace-peace-with-god-peace-among-men/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“So when the fear of not persevering raises its head, don’t try to overcome it by saying, “Oh, there is no danger, we don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/so-when-the-fear-of-not-persevering-raises-its-head-don-t-try-to/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) [Browse all 71 Christ alone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ-alone/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“And what does the text inform us about the content of discipleship? Follow me, run along behind me! That is all. To follow in his steps is something which is void of all content. It gives us no intelligible programme for a way of life, no goal or ideal to strive after. It is not a cause which human calculation might deem worthy of our devotion, even the devotion of ourselves. What happens? At the call, Levi leaves all that he has--but not because he thinks that he might be doing something worth while, but simply for the sake of the call. Otherwise he cannot follow in the steps of Jesus. This act on Levi's part has not the slightest value in itself, it is quite devoid of significance and unworthy of consideration. This disciple simply burns his boats and goes ahead. He is called out, and has to forsake his old life in order that he may \"exist\" in the strictest sense of the word. The old life is left behind, and completely surrendered. The disciple is dragged out of his relative security into a life of absolute insecurity (that is, in truth, into the absolute security and safety of the fellowship of Jesus), from a life which is observable and calculable (it is, in fact, quite incalculable) into a life where everything is unobservable and fortuitous (that is, into one which is necessary and calculable), out of the realm of finite (which is in truth the infinite) into the realm of infinite possibilities (which is the one liberating reality). Again it is no universal law. Rather is it the exact opposite of all legality. It is nothing else than bondage to Jesus Christ alone, completely breaking through every programme, every ideal, every set of laws. No other significance is possible, since Jesus is the only significance. Beside Jesus nothing has any significance. 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