Cheap Grace Vs Costly

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor, theologian, author, and anti-Nazi dissident, born in 1906 and executed in 1945. He is most famous for his bold stand against Hitler and the Nazi regime as a Christian, and for his writings on discipleship, grace, and Christian ethics.

🔹 What He’s Famous For:

1. Opposing Hitler and the Nazis

Bonhoeffer was one of the few Christian leaders in Germany who publicly resisted Hitler. He helped form the Confessing Church, which stood against the Nazis' attempt to control the German church.

He also joined a plot to assassinate Hitler (even though he was a pastor) because he believed it was a moral responsibility to stop evil.

He was arrested and later executed by hanging in a Nazi concentration camp just weeks before the war ended.

2. His Book – The Cost of Discipleship

In this book, Bonhoeffer introduces the idea of "cheap grace" vs. "costly grace" — a powerful challenge to Christians who want salvation without sacrifice.

Quote: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

3. Living What He Preached

He didn’t just write about bold faith — he lived it. He risked his life to stand for truth, protect Jews, and follow Jesus even when it cost him everything.

4. Letters from Prison

His "Letters and Papers from Prison" reveal his deep spiritual insight, wrestling with God, and vision for a more courageous church.

🔥 Legacy

Bonhoeffer is remembered today as:

A modern Christian martyr

A hero of faith and conscience

A voice that calls Christians to live fully for Christ, even when it’s dangerous

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed by hanging on April 9, 1945, at the Flossenbürg concentration camp in Nazi Germany — just two weeks before the camp was liberated by Allied forces.

🔹 What led to his death:

Bonhoeffer was part of a secret German resistance group that plotted to assassinate Adolf Hitler (known as the July 20 plot).

Though he wasn’t the one planting the bomb, he used his connections to help Jews escape Nazi persecution and supported the plan to end Hitler's rule.

In 1943, he was arrested by the Gestapo and held in prison for two years.

🔹 His final moments:

After the plot failed, Bonhoeffer’s involvement was discovered.

Hitler personally ordered his execution.

On April 9, 1945, Bonhoeffer was taken out of his prison cell at dawn and hanged with piano wire, along with other resistance members.

A doctor who witnessed it later said Bonhoeffer prayed and faced death with peace, kneeling and entrusting his life to God just before his execution.

✝️ His legacy:

He died as a martyr, giving his life for his convictions — not just against political evil, but in total loyalty to Jesus Christ.

“This is the end—for me, the beginning of life.” – Bonhoeffer’s final words.

The difference between cheap grace and costly grace is one of the most powerful and challenging teachings from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian who was executed for standing against the Nazis.

He explains the difference in his classic book The Cost of Discipleship.

🔹 Cheap Grace

Definition (Bonhoeffer):

“Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves… grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ.”

💬 In Simple Terms:

Cheap grace is when someone says:

“God forgives me, so I can do whatever I want.”

It treats God’s forgiveness like a free pass to keep sinning without true repentance or obedience.

🙅‍♂️ What it Looks Like:

Saying “I’m forgiven” but not changing.

Living however you want with no desire to follow Jesus.

Wanting Jesus as Savior but not as Lord.

Grace becomes a cover-up for laziness, sin, or spiritual apathy.

Conditional vs. Unconditional forgiveness:

A study of Chinese college students measured beliefs using the Conditional–Unconditional Forgiveness Scale.

Unconditional forgiveness was probed with statements like: “A person does not have to change for the better before I can forgive them.”

Conditional forgiveness included statements like: “Before I can forgive someone for an offense, they have to repent in some way.” (PMC, ResearchGate)

Findings showed that belief in unconditional forgiveness was associated with less avoidance of the offender,

whereas belief in conditional forgiveness led to more avoidance (PubMed).

Other research examines broader motivations for forgiving—some people forgive for intrinsic or relational reasons, and what that means is:

Great question! When researchers say that people forgive for intrinsic or relational reasons, they’re talking about the internal motivation behind forgiveness—why a person chooses to forgive someone who hurt them. Let’s break it down:

🔹 Intrinsic Reasons

Definition: Forgiving because of your own internal values, beliefs, or emotional well-being.

People who forgive for intrinsic reasons might say things like:

“I want to let go of bitterness so I can have peace.”

“I believe it’s the right thing to do, even if they don’t deserve it.”

“God calls me to forgive, so I will.”

✅ Key traits:

Motivated by personal conviction, faith, or emotional health.

Not dependent on whether the other person apologizes or changes.

Often leads to inner healing or spiritual growth.

🔹 Relational Reasons

Definition: Forgiving to preserve or restore a relationship with someone you care about.

People who forgive for relational reasons might say:

“I value our friendship, and I don’t want to lose it.”

“We’ve been through a lot, and I want us to move forward.”

“They’re family—I want to keep the peace.”

✅ Key traits:

Focused on repairing or maintaining connection with the other person.

May still expect some level of accountability or reconciliation.

Common in close relationships like marriage, family, or long-term friendships.

Why This Matters:

Understanding the reason behind forgiveness helps explain how people forgive and what they're looking for in the process. Some forgive even without an apology (intrinsic), while others forgive in hopes of restoring trust (relational). Both are valid, but they serve different purposes.

others due to social pressure or pragmatic gain. These motivations are linked to different emotional outcomes, not necessarily whether a change in behavior is expected (SAGE Journals).

Summary

But the Conditional–Unconditional Forgiveness Scale provides a useful framework:

People tracking more with unconditional forgiveness believe change isn't necessary.

Those leaning toward conditional forgiveness expect behavioral change or repentance.

Among non-Christian (Chinese college) participants, these beliefs affected their willingness to forgive and avoid offenders.

🔹 Costly Grace

Definition (Bonhoeffer):

“Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again… It is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.”

💬 In Simple Terms:

Costly grace says:

“Jesus paid everything for me — and following Him will cost me everything, too.”

It understands that grace is free, but not cheap — it cost Jesus His life, and it calls us to surrender ours in return.

🙇‍♀️ What it Looks Like:

Repenting of sin and turning to God.

Obedience even when it’s hard.

Taking up your cross and following Christ daily (Luke 9:23).

Absolutely — Luke 9:23 is one of the most powerful and challenging verses Jesus ever spoke. Let’s break it down piece by piece.

📖 Luke 9:23 (ESV)

“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”

🔍 Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown:

🔹 “And he said to all…”

Jesus wasn’t just speaking to the 12 disciples — He was speaking to everyone.

This is a universal call — not just for pastors, leaders, or “super Christians.” It’s for anyone who wants to follow Jesus.

🔹 “If anyone would come after me…”

“Come after me” means to follow Jesus, not just admire Him.

It implies movement, pursuit, and relationship — not passive belief.

Jesus is asking: “Do you really want to live for Me?”

🔹 “Let him deny himself…”

This means saying “no” to self-centered desires.

It’s not just about avoiding sin — it’s about surrendering control, pride, comfort, and your own will.

Denying yourself means Jesus becomes the center, not you.

🧠 Example:

The world says, “Follow your heart.”

Jesus says, “Deny yourself — follow Me.”

🔹 “Take up his cross daily…”

In Jesus’ time, the cross wasn’t a symbol of hope. It meant suffering, shame, and death.

Jesus is saying: “Be willing to die to your old life, every day.”

It’s a call to daily surrender, not a one-time decision.

Taking up your cross means choosing obedience, even when it costs you.

🔥 Note: It’s not just about suffering — it’s about choosing Christ over comfort.

🔹 “And follow me.”

True discipleship is about following Jesus closely — not just believing He exists.

It’s about walking how He walked, loving like He loved, obeying like He obeyed.

To follow means to trust, imitate, and stay near.

🧠 What This Verse Is NOT Saying:

It’s not saying you have to be perfect.

It’s not saying you earn salvation by suffering.

It is saying that following Jesus is a daily choice of surrender, obedience, and love. John 14:15 ““If you love me, you will keep my commands.”

💬 Real-Life Application for Today:

Ask: What do I need to deny today? (Pride, ego, temptation?)

Ask: What does it mean to take up my cross in this season? (Forgiveness, sacrifice, doing the hard right thing?)

Ask: Am I following Jesus, or asking Him to follow me?

✝️ Summary:

Luke 9:23 is Jesus’ invitation to radical, daily discipleship. It’s not easy — but it’s worth everything. Because when you lose your life for Jesus, you find the one that truly matters (see verse 24).

look at Luke 9:24 and break it down:

📖 Luke 9:24 (ESV)

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”

🔹 “For whoever would save his life…”

This means trying to hold on to control, comfort, safety, or the world’s version of success.

It’s the person who says, “I want to live for me — my plans, my dreams, my way.”

Jesus says if that’s your mindset, you’ll ultimately lose what truly matters — your soul, your purpose, and your eternal life.

🧠 Example:

If you cling to the temporary, you’ll miss the eternal.

🔹 “…will lose it…”

Living selfishly may feel good for a while, but it leads to emptiness, separation from God, and missing out on the life you were made for.

You may gain the world, but lose your soul (see Luke 9:25).

🔹 “But whoever loses his life for my sake…”

This doesn’t necessarily mean dying physically (though it could).

It means surrendering your will, giving up your right to be in charge, and living for Jesus — not yourself.

To “lose your life” means to lay it down at the feet of Christ.

🙌 It’s not about giving up everything for nothing — it’s about giving up lesser things to gain something greater.

🔹 “…will save it.”

Paradox: By giving your life to Jesus, you find the life you were created for.

It’s not just about going to heaven — it’s about experiencing purpose, peace, and joy right now in Him.

✅ Big Idea:

True life is found in surrender. Jesus flips the world’s logic. The way to win is to lose. The way to live is to die to self.

💬 Real-Life Application:

Where are you trying to “save” your life — by playing it safe, living in fear, or holding back from full surrender?

What would it look like to “lose” your life for Jesus today — in how you serve, love, forgive, or obey?

🔥 Bonus Thought:

"You weren’t made to live a self-centered life. You were made to live a Christ-centered life — and in that surrender, you’ll find the life that truly satisfies."

Living with gratitude and awe that Jesus paid it all.

✝️ Biblical Backing:

Romans 6:1–2 (ESV) – “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!”

Romans 6:1–2 is a powerful wake-up call from Paul about grace, sin, and how we live as followers of Jesus. Let’s break it down and apply it to everyday life.

📖 Romans 6:1–2 (ESV)

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"

🔍 Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown

🔹 “What shall we say then?”

Paul is responding to what he just said in Romans 5:20 — that where sin increased, grace increased all the more.

He’s asking, “So what now? Should we just keep sinning so God can keep showing us more grace?”

🔹 “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”

Some people were twisting the message of grace, saying:

“If grace covers my sin, then sinning more just shows more grace — so it’s all good, right?”

This is cheap grace thinking (see Bonhoeffer).

📌 Paul isn’t questioning whether grace covers sin — he’s correcting the mindset that wants to abuse grace.

🔹 “By no means!”

This is one of the strongest rejections in the New Testament.

In Greek, it’s like shouting: “Absolutely not!” or “No way!”

Paul is saying — Grace is not permission to live however you want.

🔹 “How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

When you put your faith in Christ, your old self died. Sin is no longer your master.

Paul’s saying: “That’s not who you are anymore — so why would you go back?”

📖 2 Peter 2:22 (ESV)

“What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.’”

🔍 Context:

Peter is talking about people who know the truth about Jesus but later turn away from it and return to sinful behavior.

It’s a warning against falling back into old patterns after being cleansed by Christ.

The proverb is graphic on purpose—it shows how foolish and destructive it is to return to a life of sin after experiencing God’s grace.

💡 Summary:

The pig and dog imagery is about people who turn back to sin after being saved.

It emphasizes the danger of cheap grace—receiving God’s mercy but refusing to change.

To “live in sin” means to stay in a pattern of unrepentant, willful sin.

🔥 Real-Life Application

1. Grace is not a license to sin — it’s power to live free.

Don’t treat sin casually because forgiveness is available.

Instead, be grateful that God’s grace frees you from sin, not just forgives you for it.

2. If you’ve died to sin, live like it.

Your old habits, old identity, and old desires — they’re buried with Christ.

Now you walk in newness of life Romans 6:4 “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

3. Check your mindset about grace.

Ask yourself:

Am I using grace as a safety net to keep sinning?

Or am I using grace as fuel to pursue holiness?

✝️ Final Thought:

God’s grace isn’t cheap — it cost Jesus His life. So don’t just ask, “How far can I go and still be forgiven?” Ask, “How close can I walk with God who gave everything for me?”

Paul warns against cheap grace thinking.

Luke 14:27 (ESV) – “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

📖 Luke 14:27 (ESV)

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

🔍 Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown:

🔹 “Whoever…”

This invitation (and challenge) is open to everyone.

Jesus isn’t only talking to the 12 disciples or spiritual elites — this is for anyone who wants to follow Him.

🔹 “does not bear his own cross…”

In Jesus’ time, the cross was a symbol of death, shame, and suffering — not a religious icon or jewelry.

“Bearing your cross” doesn’t mean going through general life struggles. It means willingly embracing the cost of following Jesus, even if it leads to sacrifice or suffering.

It’s a call to die to yourself — your pride, comfort, status, and desires.

🧠 Think of it this way:

Carrying your cross = Living a surrendered life, every single day.

🔹 “and come after me…”

“Come after me” means actively following Jesus, not just believing in Him.

It’s about living the way He lived — in obedience, humility, love, and mission.

You’re not just adding Jesus to your life — you’re letting Him lead your life.

🔹 “cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus doesn’t sugarcoat this.

He’s saying clearly: If you’re not willing to surrender everything, you’re not really following Me.

Discipleship isn’t just about going to church — it’s about choosing Jesus over everything else, even when it’s hard.

🔥 Real-Life Application:

1. Ask: What’s my “cross”?

Is it dying to pride? Letting go of sin? Stepping into uncomfortable obedience?

Your cross is anything that calls you to give up your way for God’s way.

2. Following Jesus will cost you something.

It may cost you popularity, comfort, reputation, or even relationships.

But what you gain — Jesus Himself — is worth far more.

3. Discipleship is not casual — it’s committed.

Jesus isn’t asking for fans. He’s calling for fully surrendered followers.

That means daily decisions to obey, deny self, and walk with Him even when it's tough.

✝️ Final Thought:

Jesus carried His cross all the way to Calvary for you. He’s now calling you to carry your cross and follow Him.

It’s not the easy path — but it’s the only one that leads to real life.

Jesus shows that grace is freely given, but discipleship is costly.

✅ Summary:

Cheap Grace Costly Grace Forgiveness without repentance Forgiveness with true r repentance

Comfort without change Surrender and

t transformation

Belief without obedience Faith that leads to a action

Jesus as Savior only Jesus as Savior and L

Lord

Costs you nothing Costs you everything

🔥 Final Thought:

Here’s a detailed vision-style narrative of what the last 24 hours of Jesus’ earthly life may have looked like, based on the Gospels (especially Matthew 26–27, Mark 14–15, Luke 22–23, and John 13–19). It’s written to help you visualize the weight, the emotion, and the purpose of that final day.

🕯️ The Last 24 Hours of Jesus’ Life: A Vision

Thursday Evening: The Upper Room (Around 6 PM)

The room is dimly lit, the table set low, and the air heavy with the scent of bread and wine. Jesus sits among His disciples, knowing this meal—the Last Supper—will change everything.

He bends down, washing their feet, even Judas's. The King of Heaven stooping like a servant. Then He takes the bread, breaks it, and says, “This is my body... given for you.” The wine, “This is my blood... poured out for the forgiveness of sins.”

Jesus’ eyes lock with Judas’s. The betrayal is near. Still, He gives him bread.

Thursday Night: Gethsemane (Around 9 PM – Midnight)

The stars gleam silently overhead as Jesus enters the Garden of Gethsemane. His closest friends sleep, but He falls to the ground in agony.

“Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me… yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Sweat becomes like drops of blood. The weight of humanity’s sin presses on Him before a single whip touches His back. He is already breaking.

Suddenly—torches. Soldiers. A kiss. Betrayed with a sign of affection. Jesus is arrested.

Friday Early Morning: Trials and Beatings (1 AM – 6 AM)

Dragged in chains, Jesus stands trial before religious leaders—accused, mocked, slapped. He’s then taken to Pilate, who finds no guilt in Him, but still offers Him up to appease the crowds.

The crowd chooses Barabbas, a murderer, over the Son of God.

Jesus is scourged—whipped repeatedly with sharp bone and metal embedded in leather. Flesh tears. Blood soaks His back. Soldiers mock Him, dress Him in a purple robe, and press a crown of thorns into His head.

Friday Morning: The Cross (9 AM – 12 PM)

Jesus carries His cross through the streets of Jerusalem, stumbling under its weight. People jeer. Others weep. At Golgotha, He is nailed through His wrists and feet. The cross is lifted. The sky begins to darken.

Above Him: “King of the Jews.” Around Him: criminals. One mocks. One believes.

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

He speaks grace even as blood pours from His body.

Friday Afternoon: The Final Hours (12 PM – 3 PM)

Darkness covers the land. The earth seems to groan.

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The full wrath of God toward sin is placed on Him. He drinks the bitter cup of judgment—alone.

Then, the final cry:

“It is finished.”

He breathes His last.

The veil in the temple is torn in two. The earth quakes. Graves open. A Roman centurion says, “Surely this man was the Son of God.”

Friday Evening: Burial (Around 6 PM)

His lifeless body is taken down and wrapped in linen. He is laid in a tomb, sealed with a stone.

To His followers, it looks like the end. But in Heaven’s eyes, the plan is complete.

Sin is paid for. Death is about to be defeated.

🔥 What This Means

The last 24 hours of Jesus’ life were not just about suffering—they were about rescue. Every moment was filled with intentional love. Every wound He bore was for you and me. The cross wasn’t an accident—it was the mission.

Great question! The Bible doesn’t give an exact distance for how far Jesus walked carrying His cross before being nailed to it, but scholars estimate it based on historical and archaeological insights.

What We Know from Scripture:

Jesus was led from Pilate’s judgment seat to the place of crucifixion called Golgotha (meaning “Place of the Skull**) — this was outside Jerusalem’s city walls (John 19:17, Mark 15:22).

The Gospels say Jesus carried His cross (John 19:17), but because He was severely weakened from scourging and torture, the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to carry the cross for Him part of the way (Mark 15:21).

Estimated Distance:

Traditionally, Golgotha is believed to be about 600 to 700 meters (roughly 0.4 miles) from Pilate’s judgment hall, near what is now the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Some scholars suggest the walk could have been longer if the processional route was indirect, up to 1 mile (about 1.5 kilometers), but most agree on less than a mile.

Summary:

Jesus likely carried the cross Himself for a few hundred meters.

Then Simon of Cyrene carried it the rest of the way.

The total distance was likely around 600-700 meters (0.4 miles), though exact routes and locations are debated.

600-700m meters is roughly 5.5 to 6.4 football fields that Jesus walk with the cross not so we can have cheap grace but Grace through him John 1:16 “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” This shows that grace flows from Jesus!

What this means:

God’s grace is not just a general kindness—it’s a specific gift made available through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

We receive grace by faith in Jesus.

Saying “grace through Him” captures the biblical truth that Jesus is the mediator and source of God’s grace to us (1 Timothy 2:5).