Today’s Readings: Psalm 80; Amos 9:1-15; Luke 19:28-40; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Psalm 139
I have to begin by confessing a mistake. Yesterday (Friday, November 21), I accidentally used today’s (Saturday, November 22’s) readings. Therefore, in order to get back on track, I will use yesterday’s readings for today.
One of my favorite theological concepts of the 20th Century was laid out in a book written by Dietrich Bonheoffer called The Cost of Discipleship. In that seminal work, he wrote that there are two ways to think about the grace of God: (1) we can think of grace as “cheap”; or (2) we can think of grace as “costly”. If we think of grace as cheap, we are suggesting that – since grace was a free gift from God – we aren’t called to do much in response. As a result, our faith comes to mean very little to us. If we think of grace as costly, however, we are suggesting that – while God’s grace was a free gift from God – it was such an awesome gift that we should lead transformed lives of humility and service as an expression of our profound gratitude. As we’ve moved into this post-Christian age when our faith is no longer viewed as the foundation piece of our lives but simply as one of many, many aspects of our busy lives; many of us have unconsciously moved toward embracing a theology of cheap grace. This shift from “costly grace” to “cheap grace” truly breaks my heart. Of course all of this talk of “cheap grace” and “costly grace” is a relatively new activity. The concept itself, however, is far from new. For in today’s reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul made it clear that he rejected this notion of “cheap grace”. He wrote: “But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste” (1 Corinthians 15:10 from The Message). So how would you describe your approach toward grace? Have you taken an approach based on an understanding of “cheap grace” that invites you to simply offer whatever leftovers you have laying around to God; or have you taken an approach based on an understanding of “costly grace” that invites you to respond to the depths of God’s unfathomable love through acts of deep service and devotion? Til next time…
I have to begin by confessing a mistake. Yesterday (Friday, November 21), I accidentally used today’s (Saturday, November 22’s) readings. Therefore, in order to get back on track, I will use yesterday’s readings for today.
One of my favorite theological concepts of the 20th Century was laid out in a book written by Dietrich Bonheoffer called The Cost of Discipleship. In that seminal work, he wrote that there are two ways to think about the grace of God: (1) we can think of grace as “cheap”; or (2) we can think of grace as “costly”. If we think of grace as cheap, we are suggesting that – since grace was a free gift from God – we aren’t called to do much in response. As a result, our faith comes to mean very little to us. If we think of grace as costly, however, we are suggesting that – while God’s grace was a free gift from God – it was such an awesome gift that we should lead transformed lives of humility and service as an expression of our profound gratitude. As we’ve moved into this post-Christian age when our faith is no longer viewed as the foundation piece of our lives but simply as one of many, many aspects of our busy lives; many of us have unconsciously moved toward embracing a theology of cheap grace. This shift from “costly grace” to “cheap grace” truly breaks my heart. Of course all of this talk of “cheap grace” and “costly grace” is a relatively new activity. The concept itself, however, is far from new. For in today’s reading from 1 Corinthians, Paul made it clear that he rejected this notion of “cheap grace”. He wrote: “But because God was so gracious, so very generous, here I am. And I’m not about to let his grace go to waste” (1 Corinthians 15:10 from The Message). So how would you describe your approach toward grace? Have you taken an approach based on an understanding of “cheap grace” that invites you to simply offer whatever leftovers you have laying around to God; or have you taken an approach based on an understanding of “costly grace” that invites you to respond to the depths of God’s unfathomable love through acts of deep service and devotion? Til next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment