the cost of discipleship -- thoughts on the book by dietrich bonhoeffer

i've wanted to read this book for a long time. and i thought, i need to share the things i've been learning from it. so here is my first thought from chapter one.

"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.

Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it cost a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son... and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God." (pp. 44-5)

this really made me think of the what it means to be a Christian. it's not just a title... not just a nametag, it's a lifestyle that's worthy because so much was put on the line for me to have that name. i should treasure and value it. this is what pushed me to be a real Christian in the first place way back when i decided to take my faith seriously.

this all started with finishing the Harry Potter series. i was also finishing the last book of the Bible, Revelation, in my devotions. it all made me think of how the Order of the Phoenix was willing to die for a better wizarding world (and in some ways, Harry Potter). i wondered to myself, as a Christian in this world, am I willing to die for the truth of the Gospel? the things that Revelation talks about is pretty creepy. we already know about Satan and the power he has on this world and it's pretty sad. in fact, the Death Eaters really reminded me that even Satan's army is willing to put up a fight until the bitter end.... so I better be ready to as well. okay, post your thoughts ppl! :)