Being a Good Christian

I read the following quote the other day that really stood out to me. But when I saw who the quote was credited to, it had a chilling effect on me.
"One is either a good German or a good Christian. It is impossible to be both at the same time." - Adolf Hitler
As evil as Hitler may have been I agree with this point. When deciding to follow Christ you are choosing not to follow anything else. That means your identity as a Christian cannot come from your patriotism, your loyalty to a social society, business, and perhaps even a "church".

If you lived in Germany in the 1940's which decision would have been easier; to become a good German or a good Christian? Today, which decision is easier; to be a good American or a good Christian?

Can you be both at the same time?
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3 comments:

  1. I think in Hitler's time, it was certainly easier to become a good German than a good Christian. The same applies to today; it is easier to be a good American than a good Christian. But the easiest path is not always the most rewarding. I would rather reap the rewards of becoming a good Christian. But I do think it's possible to be both at the same time as long as Christ always comes before anything else.
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  2. Everything else is not mutually exclusive to being a Christian. The reason one could not be a good German and a good Christian at the same time was because each group had directly conflicting qualifications. To assume that you can't be anything else if you are a good Christian wouldn't allow you to be a good father and a good Christian. Now, I know you aren't saying that, but I'm trying to make the point that we should examine what is required to make a person a "good American" and if there are conflicts, then we conclude that they are mutually exclusive.
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  3. @ Troy: Let's use the example of being a good father. Isn't it possible, that at some point a father may have to decide between following Christ and being a father or spouse? Is that why Paul said it's better not to marry? Is it possible that is why Jesus said "let the dead bury their dead?"

    I'm not disagreeing with you, I'm just not ready to answer the question.
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