Cheap Grace vs. Costly Grace

from The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything they say, and so everything can remain as it was before. ‘All for sin could not atone.’ Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world’s standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin….

Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man’ will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. 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 condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.

The Circus

by Billie Hanks Jr.

Years ago, a little boy begged his father to let him go to the circus which had come to town. After doing his chores, he was given a dollar bill and sent on his way. As he neared the fairgrounds, the circus parade was in progress. When the clown at the end of the parade passed by, the little boy placed his dollar in the clown's hand and went home happily, thinking he had seen the circus. Many Christians are just like this little boy; they mistake the beginning for the end.

Lights

by Billie Hanks Jr.

Once a lady came to her pastor complaining about the factory where she was employed. She wanted to quit working there because nearly all of the employees were non-Christians and they constantly used profanity. The pastor listened, then asked her, "Where do you put lights?" Disregarding the question, she complained about their wild parties, drinking, and dirty jokes. Again he asked, "But where do you put lights?"

Puzzled by his response, the lady went on to tell him that some of her associates at work were also involved in immoral relationships. A third time he questioned, "But where do you put lights?" Annoyed she said, "I don't know where you put lights. In dark places, I guess!" Suddenly, she realized what he had been trying to say.

Matthew 5:14-16