WEDNESDAY June 26, 2024
Cheap Grace
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.
Ephesians 5:6-7
There is a deception circulating that people gullibly believe. They think they can go to church accept Jesus Christ, but still continue to live in the same lifestyles they had in the world––not so. Do not listen to those who give empty advice. The Bible teaches that those living a life of disobedience have no part in the kingdom of God: For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God (Ephesians 5:5).
Paul was addressing his epistle to Christians. Remember that. Do not listen to people who say, “Do not to worry; God will forgive you!” Yes, God forgives sin, but we are not to take advantage of His grace. Romans 6:1 reasons: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Billy Graham put it this way: “Repentance is more than just being sorry for sin; it is a complete turning away from our total depravity.”
I would recommend you read the book written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer on the Cost of Discipleship, because he spoke about cheap grace.
Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession.... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
To live a life of sin and be a Christian is an impossibility. We would be hypocrites––people living a lie. You cannot live a life of disobedience. God’s wrath will come upon your life. Get away from people in the darkness––walk in the light and enjoy the amazing grace of God.
Christ did not suffer and die to offer cheap grace. Jesus did not go willingly to the cross so we could have an easy life or offer a faith built on easy-believism. As someone once said, “Salvation is free, but not cheap.” It cost Jesus His life.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!