BONHOEFFER REVISITED

When Christ calls a man, He bids Him come and die. The essence of discipleship is revealed in understanding Grace: Specifically, what Grace cost God, and what Grace will cost all who answer God’s call.  

Cheap Grace is the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner... the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance and conversion, baptism without church discipline, discipleship without obedience, communion without confession … profession without possession. Cheap Grace is Grace without discipleship, Grace without the Cross, Grace without Jesus Christ living and incarnate... Grace without transformation into Christlikeness. Cheap Grace is not the kind of forgiveness of sin that frees us from the slavery and toils of sin, but a cheap covering for sin with no contrition required and no deliverance from the bondage to sin expected or desired. Cheap Grace is the Grace we bestow on ourselves.

Costly Grace is the Treasure Hidden in a Field... the Pearl of Great Price, for the sake of which a man will gladly go and sell all that he possesses. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye or cut off the hand that causes him to stumble. It is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves all to follow Him. Costly Grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. It is costly because it condemns sin, and it is grace because it justifies the sinner. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is Grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it compels submission to the yoke of Lordship... transformation into Christlikeness, and it is Grace because His yoke is easy and His burden is light.  Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son -- we were bought at such a horrific price -- and what cost God much cannot be cheap for us. And, above all, it is Grace because God did not reckon His Son too dear a price to pay for our life. Costly Grace is the Grace God bestows on us by the Incarnation of Christ... Christ in me, my only hope of glory...

WHAT COST GOD MUCH CANNOT BE CHEAP FOR US