Cheap Grace

Note: This is a direct quote from the writings of Dietrich Bonhoffer. In these days of "easy believe-ism," it seems important to re-examine this thought and ponder on it's significance...

   "Cheap grace means grace alone does everything, and so, everything can remain as it was before. Let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself after the world's standards. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance.
   Costly grace is the treasure hidden in a field. It is the kingly rule of Christ. Costly grace is the Gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which one 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..."

~ Dietrich Bonhoffer

When Grace Appears

Text: "And now for a little space grace hath been shewed from the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in His holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage." (Ezra 9:8)

The word grace in the Old Testament was used more to describe man's activities than God's. Multiple times we read how individuals wanted to find grace in the sight of another pertaining to some request they'd made. But their understanding of grace from God was narrow at best. Ezra's prayer of repentance for his nation and himself is the first to mention grace from God. Later, Zechariah prophesied of the grace to come. "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)

But grace (as we perceive it today,) appeared with the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ. "And of His fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." (John 1:16-17) Since then, "...the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men." (Titus 2:11)

When grace appears... we are justified freely, (Romans 3:24) we access it by faith, (Romans 5:2) it is God's, and the gift of His grace is Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:15)

When grace appears... it calls us, (Galatians 1:6,15) it comes in abundance and brings the gift of righteousness, (Romans 5:17) it abounds, far surpassing the power of sin and death, (Romans 5:20) and it reigns through righteousness unto eternal life. (Romans 5:21)

When grace appears...  its abundance makes our hearts thankful, and, through our thanksgiving, redounds to the glory of God. (II Corinthians 4:15)

When grace appears... we receive everlasting consolation and good hope. (II Thessalonians 2:16)

When grace appears... we can come boldly to the Throne of grace and find grace to help in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

When grace appears... it's a never-ending supply, there's always more where that came from! (James 4:6)

When grace appears... it is sufficient to meet our need. (II Corinthians 12:9)

When grace appears... it keeps on working, all the way to the end, and will be there when you see Jesus in all His glory. (I Peter 1:13)

When grace appears... it, with peace, is a multiplier; (II Peter 1:2) you can grow in it. (II Peter 3:18)

Cautions concerning grace... receive not the grace of God in vain, (II Corinthians 6:1) do not frustrate the grace of God, (Galatians 2:21) if you think you are justified by the law, Christ has become of no effect unto you, you have fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4)