Follow and Suffer

Dietrich Boenhoffer probably got his idea from a' Kempis. Boenhoffer said that to follow Christ, the true cost of discipleship, was an invitation to die. Here is what a' Kempis said:

If you will set yourself to what you should do, follow Christ in suffering and death, it will soon be better for you and you will find peace. Even if you should be carried up to the third heaven like Paul, you will not be kept from suffering tribulations. Jesus said about Paul, "I will show him many things he must suffer for My name's sake."

If it is your desire, therefore, to love Jesus and serve Him forever, you are bound to suffer.