Bonhoeffer - Cheap Grace

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German theologian in the early twentieth century. Knowing the trouble he would have with the National Socialists he returned to Germany anyway to teach God's Word. He opened an underground Bible College.

Bonhoeffer was arrested and spent time being moved from prison camp to prison camp. Finally, at the order of Heinrich Himmler himself, Bonhoeffer was executed. To say something about his family, his brother and sister were executed for the same thing, preaching the Word of God and speaking out against the Nazi Party. Bonhoeffer realized that National Socialism was an attempt by man to remake society without God.

I have started reading Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship. I have not gotten very far in it yet. It may remain my book of the week for two weeks. In the first five pages, though, Bonhoeffer speaks of cheap grace.

What is cheap grace. It is grace without cost. It is grace that allows Christian man to live like the world without consequence. It discounts the sacrifice made for us, fallen man, by the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is abundant, but it is by no means cheap. Grace came to us through the torture and brutal death of the one perfect man to ever walk the earth, the Son of God, God Himself, Jesus Christ.

I have grieved the heart of God for to long. I have minimalized the crucifixion of His son through my actions, and my inaction.

Father,
You see my heart. You see the depths of my blackened soul. I beg your forgiveness. I want nothing so much as to please you. I want to enrich your kingdom. I long for your power in my life.
God, I ask that you send your Holy Spirit down upon me. Give me the power to witness in your name. I ask that you remake me. When people look at me, I want them to see you.

Amen