Cheap Grace
Cheap grace… when I read this I was shaken to my core. It was of those phrases your have to read again and again.
I recently started a thought provoking book by Kevin DeYoung entitled, The Hole in our Holiness. Only completing two chapters, my margins are filled with notes and sentence after sentence is underlined. I am not a deep thinker, DeYoung’s writing is not so deep for me to understand but his words concerning holiness are challenging.
“If you think being a Christian is nothing more than saying a prayer or joining a church, then you’ve confused real grace with cheap grace. Those who a justified will be sanctified.”
I am not confusing sanctification with justification. I am saved by faith and belief in Jesus’ death on the cross for my eternal life. I am justified because of the cross, Jesus’s surrender to God’s work in His life. I am sanctified because of works, my surrender to God’s work in my life—pursuing holiness.
The thought of cheapening God’s great grace truly nauseates me. I can’t even imagine how it must make God feel. His sacrifice was so great! How do I respond to this great sacrifice each day? Do I even remember the sacrifice on a daily basis?
Just my thoughts for the day.
I know I don’t think about His sacrifice daily…. I was so busy getting my do to list done, that I did not think about it. I know I’m a great sinner, and I know Christ is a greater savior. I would think, my only response is to love God more deeply; and in turn, want to return that love through serving Him more and more. Turning over all my being for Him to lead anywhere. Do I fear where He is taking me, yes! Am I hesitant, yes! Do I always follow obediently, no! But over time, as He has revealed himself to me, my faith has grown, I fear less, I hesitate less, and am willing to take those leaps of faith into a direction that is unknown. Honestly, if you really knew the destination when He sends you down a certain path, would you have willingly gone? I know when it comes to Dana, I would never have chosen this life, but today, I would never let you take my life away! Maybe that’s what it means to take up your cross and follow Me…. I need to ponder your thoughts some more….
wow this is powerful Wendy thanks for posting it today!! God Bless you!
My pastor just referenced this same book during his sermon today…. He is doing a series on holiness. I couldn’t help but think of this post once again…. Have I cheapened God’s grace, His sacrifice on the cross… You have given me much to ponder…