The Glorious Grace of GodSample

God’s Grace Is Free, Not Cheap

“Cheap grace” is a popular term from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, The Cost of Discipleship. His thesis was that the free gift of eternal life costs you everything. And Bonhoeffer, a pastor whose life ended tragically but triumphantly in a Nazi concentration camp, was a testimony to consecrated living. His faith cost him everything, but the term he coined confuses people. How is the gift of eternal life free, if it costs you everything? 

What is free is free and what is costly is costly. Jesus was never unclear about the distinction. He told the Samaritan woman, “If you knew the gift of God…” (John 4:10). He meant the gift of eternal life. “Let the one who is thirsty come, and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life” (Revelation 22:17).

God’s grace is free, not cheap. Grace is expressed and explained in the Bible as a glorious gift from God. Lewis Sperry Chafer, an American theologian who founded Dallas Theological Seminary, put it this way:

Grace, as used in the Bible in relation to divine salvation, represents the uncompromised, unrestricted, unrecompensed, loving favor of God toward sinners. It is an unearned blessing. It is a gratuity. God saves sinners by grace. God keeps through grace those who are saved. Those who are saved, God teaches in grace how they should live and how they may live, to His eternal glory. 

The glorious grace of God is truly free. It does not depend on anything a person has done, could do, or would do. The Samaritan woman longed for this grace, replying, “Sir, give me this water…” (John 4:15). And when she perceived Jesus was the Messiah, she invited others to come to Him (John 4:28–30) and they believed (John 4:39). 

The grace of God does not seek men or women who are good enough to be approved, for it is not grace but mere justice to approve goodness. Instead, the grace of God is looking for condemned and guilty people so He may justify, sanctify, and glorify them. Thank God this is true!