Understanding the Real Meaning of Grace in Everyday Life
Cheap Grace is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting today for costly grace. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer
In simple terms, Dietrich Bonhoeffer warns that “cheap grace” is when people treat God’s forgiveness and blessings like products being sold at a discount, taking them for granted and not valuing their true worth. He says that when the church offers forgiveness and religious comfort too easily, without expecting any real change or commitment from people, it’s like giving away something precious for free. People start to believe they can have all the benefits of faith without making sacrifices or living differently, just because Jesus already paid the price. Bonhoeffer’s point is that grace isn’t really “grace” if it costs us nothing and doesn’t challenge us to live better lives.
What Is Grace?
Grace, in simple terms, is God’s free gift of love and forgiveness. It’s not something we can earn or pay for—it’s given to us because God loves us. But how we respond to this gift makes all the difference. That’s where “costly grace” and “cheap grace” come in.
Costly Grace: The Gift That Changes Us
What did B…. say about cheap grace
Costly grace means that while God’s love is free, it asks something of us in return—a response. It calls us to take Jesus seriously, to follow his teachings, and to let him guide our lives. It’s “costly” not because we have to pay for it, but because it changes us from the inside out. Accepting costly grace means we let God’s love transform how we live, how we treat others, and what we care about. It’s about obeying Jesus and letting his words shape our choices.
Cheap Grace: Missing the Point
Cheap grace is when people think they can accept God’s forgiveness without changing anything about their lives. It’s like receiving a wonderful gift and never opening it or using it. Cheap grace says, “Thanks for the gift!” but doesn’t let it make any difference. This kind of grace is easy, but it misses the whole point: real grace always leads to real change in our hearts and actions.
The Danger of Misunderstanding Grace
Sometimes, people misunderstand grace and think it means, “I can do whatever I want—God will forgive me anyway.” But that’s not what Jesus taught. If we treat grace like a free pass to do whatever we please, we miss out on the adventure of truly following Jesus. Grace isn’t about escaping the consequences or living however we like—it’s about becoming the people God meant us to be.
True grace does forgive us, but it also calls us deeper. It invites us to follow Jesus, to love others, to serve, and to make a difference. It’s not just about receiving; it’s about responding.
Why Discipleship Still Matters Today
Discipleship is just a fancy word for following Jesus—learning from him and living like him. It’s not a special project for “super Christians”—it’s for everyone. When we accept God’s grace, we also accept the call to be his disciples in our everyday lives.
Being a disciple means showing kindness at work, forgiving friends, helping neighbors, and standing up for what’s right. These everyday decisions are how our faith becomes real. Grace and discipleship go hand in hand—you can’t have one without the other.
Conclusion: Living Out True Grace in Daily Life
Following Jesus isn’t about hiding from the world or escaping our problems. It’s about letting God’s grace shape everything we do, right where we are. True grace is a gift that transforms us, calling us to love, serve, and obey—not because we have to earn God’s favor, but because we already have it.
So let’s live out our faith in the world, not apart from it. Embrace costly grace, follow Jesus every day, and let his love shine through your ordinary life. That’s what real grace is all about.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 