The Cost of Discipleship

The focus is on the concept of “The Hidden Righteousness,” emphasizing that authentic Christian discipleship must be visible yet not ostentatious. Rooted in Matthew 6:1-4, the discussion grapples with the paradox that while the Christian life should be visible, it must not be made visible for its own sake. “Take heed that ye do not your righteousness before men, to be seen of them” (155) serves as a critical reminder to be reflective in our actions and motives. Essentially, disciples should live in such a way that their lives reflect Christ’s teachings but not in a manner intended for their own glorification. Bonhoeffer asserts, “The genuine work of love is always a hidden work” (159), arguing that true Christian virtue arises from an unconscious, self-forgetful state of being. This hidden righteousness is not a negation of the extraordinary life led by disciples but rather a deeper layer of it. It’s not about withdrawing from the world but engaging with it to avoid the trappings of self-righteousness and moral ostentation. This paradox is resolved through “the death of the old man” (160), a figurative death that allows one to live a new life rooted in the love and righteousness of Christ.