One: Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of the Church. It is grace without discipleship. Grace without the cross. Grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without repentance. Baptism without discipline. Communion without confession. Absolution without transformation. It is the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace becomes a doctrine, a system, an idea to be affirmed — But not a life to be lived. In such grace, the world finds a covering for its sin, But no deliverance from it. No contrition is required. No surrender is demanded. No obedience is expected. Grace is treated as though the account were already paid And therefore nothing must change. This is grace we bestow upon ourselves. And in doing so, we deny the living Word of God — Indeed, we deny the Incarnation itself. ⸻ Two: Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field. For its sake, a man will gladly sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price. It is the call of Jesus Christ: “Follow Me.” Costly grace must be sought again and again. It must be asked for. It must be knocked upon like a door. It 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 him the only true life. It condemns sin. And it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son. “You were bought with a price.” What has cost God much Cannot be cheap for us. ⸻ Three: Costly grace is the Incarnation of God. It confronts us as a gracious call to obedience. It does not leave us as we are. It does not permit us to remain conformed to the world. It does not excuse sin under the banner of mercy. Grace does everything — But grace does not do nothing. It frees us not from obedience, But for obedience. It compels us to submit to the yoke of Christ. And yet that yoke is easy, And His burden is light. Between the first “Follow Me” And the last “Follow Me” Lies a whole life of discipleship. Cheap grace avoids that life. Costly grace creates it. And only costly grace Is truly grace.
