I am in the process of going through a strenuous read that was given to me by a really close friend suggested I read. The book is “The Cost of Discipleship” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and is focused on the relationship between ourselves and teachings of Jesus. It is very thought provoking thus far. In chapter 1 Bonhoeffer focuses on how we have made something that was very costly, grace, into a cheap commodity. Here is his description of cheap and costly grace.

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, 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.

This initial chapter was a challenge to revaluate what grace truly mean to me? How do I present it to others in a manner that upholds the truth, majesty and price that was paid for the grace that I so readily accept without consideration to what it cost our Lord.