Lent Day 17: March 28

I thank our guest blogger, my husband John for his wise words on the difference between "cheap grace" and "costly grace".

Lenten Reflection for Day 17

Date: Monday March 28, 2011

Author: John Harris

Bible Passage:

Romans 6:15–18 (NRSV)

¹⁵ What then? Should we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! ¹⁶ Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? ¹⁷ But thanks be to God that you, having once been slaves of sin, have become obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which you were entrusted, ¹⁸ and that you, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Reflection:

It is easy to become a Christian and accept its doctrines. Alas, it is not so easy to lead a Christian life. Let me say that again, in a slightly different way. It is easy to accept the grace that God gives us, through no merit of our own, that frees us from our sins. It is a much more difficult proposition for us to allow that grace to change our lives in such a way that they are completely Christ-centered. It is so hard not to live the same way that the world does. I am reminded of the rich young ruler who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. He suspects that Jesus will affirm his life of following the commandments, tithing, and worshipping according to Levitical law—the world of “cheap grace.” But Jesus asks for more, His grace is of a more “costly” nature. It is great that you follow the law, but you must give up the stuff, the impediments, that interfere with your relationships with God and neighbor. Then, and only then, can you follow Jesus.

“Cheap” grace comforts us that our sins are forgiven. “Costly” grace afflicts us with remorse and contrition because we continually commit the same offenses over and over again. “Cheap” grace forgives our sins. “Costly” grace compels us to love our neighbor, even if that neighbor is not so lovable . “Cheap” grace allows us to live in and accept the world without ever changing its or our own sinful nature. “Costly” grace allows us to focus on Christ and to “become slaves of righteousness.” In short, “costly” grace changes our relationship to God and the world. We become cross-centered, disciples of Christ through His word and sacraments.

Prayer:

Lord, like the rich, young ruler, we often bestow cheap grace on ourselves and we stay comfortable in our old ways of sin. Help us accept your costly grace, to shed the impediments that get in the way of our love of You and our neighbor. You have set us free from sin, help us change our lives so that we become slaves of our relationship with God and not slaves of the world. Amen