03/02/2022
Remember there will be an Ash Wednesday service tomorrow at Hanfield at 6:30 PM!
Also, this past Sunday in Youth Sunday school as we went through
Philippians a quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer was discussed.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism. After leaving the USA to return to Germany his ties to the July 20, 1944, conspiracy to overthrow the N**i regime led to his ex*****on in 1945. His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world.
Here is what he wrote about cheap grace compared to 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, grace without
Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a
man will 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, 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.”
Friends, grace is costly. It came at a great price for Jesus, and
also comes at a price for us. To live in God's grace we are called to
give all that we are - our will, our wishes, our plans, our desires.
ourselves. We give it all up for God. We give all we are for God,
and in return we receive even more from God as we enter into right
relationship with God. I encourage you to give all your life to God,
and in return you will receive that which is truly life.