The important thing is not saying “Lord, Lord,” but the inward truthfulness in which we do God’s will. In fact we rejoice about all those who are open to this freedom and this will to love, even if they are not yet able to confess to Christ at all. A free movement, a movement of the spirit, an early Christian movement, an academic and modern movement needs the free working of all those who are called, and free personal responsibility.
- Eberhard Arnold
- Eberhard Arnold, January 1920 From an EssayJustice and love demand that everyone take part in simple practical work with a spade, hatchet, or rake. Everyone should be ready to devote a few hours every day to this practical work; those who have done purely mental work till now will feel its humanizing effect especially. In this way it will be possible for each person’s unique gifts to be kindled. The light that flickers within each heart will then exhibit its once-hidden glow in scholarly research or in music, in expressive words, or in the craftsman’s art in wood, stone, or paint…such work will reveal the joy in life that is in each person. Only death knows idleness and tedium. Where there is life, the mind’s creative will remains alert and comes to expression in the service of the whole.
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How much of the old nature must still be put aside before Christ is all in all! Renewal does not imply completion; rebirth is only the beginning of purification. It is normal to recognize more and more what is bad in us. So put it aside through Christ and keep moving forward.
- Eberhard Arnold
Millions are oppressed, languishing, barely alive. True identification with them can come only the hard way of personally sharing their need. We must expose ourselves to the all-too-real horrors of their daily life, together with those who are physically enervated, spiritually ruined, and emotionally diseased. We can comprehend the measureless suffering of the world and the unsolved need of man only when we ourselves actually suffer poverty, shame, and want. We can speak about them only when our words come from the very depth of our hearts.
- Eberhard Arnold