Cheap Grace | Don't Settle
Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession". The Cost of Discipleship by Bonhoffere
Apostle Paul: What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? 2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have become [a]united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be [b]in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old [c]self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be [d]done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is [e]freed from sin. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, 13 and do not go on presenting [g]the members of your body to sin as [h]instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as [i]instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be! Romans 6:1-15
The age old question
a "fire insurance" policy to avoid hell, rather than a life of following Jesus.
Also remember what Jesus said in Matthew 9 He did not come for the righteous but for sinners But that is not an excuse to continue to sin
Pitfalls of cheap grace 1. It minimizes repentance Cheap grace treats forgiveness as automatic, without a changed heart. Luke 13:3 – “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Biblical issue: Without repentance, grace is misunderstood as permission rather than rescue. 2. It separates faith from obedience It claims belief in Christ without following Him. James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Biblical issue: True faith produces action; cheap grace produces complacency. 3. It ignores the cost of discipleship Jesus consistently taught that following Him requires surrender. Luke 9:23 – “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” Biblical issue: Cheap grace avoids sacrifice, while biblical grace calls for daily surrender. 4. It abuses God’s grace as a license to sin It assumes grace covers ongoing, willful sin without conviction. Romans 6:1-2 – “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Biblical issue: Grace is meant to free us from sin, not excuse it. 5. It resists transformation Cheap grace keeps people spiritually stagnant. 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” Biblical issue: Genuine grace changes identity and direction. 6. It neglects holiness Scripture calls believers to a distinct, set-apart life. 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “Be holy in all you do.” Biblical issue: Cheap grace tolerates what God calls us to leave behind. 7. It risks self-deception It creates a false sense of security without true relationship with Christ. Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom.” Biblical issue: Verbal belief without obedience can lead to spiritual deception. 8. It diminishes the cross Cheap grace forgets the cost of salvation. 1 Corinthians 6:20 – “You were bought at a price.” Biblical issue: Grace is free to us, but never cheap—Christ paid fully. In short: Cheap grace distorts the gospel by offering comfort without transformation, forgiveness without repentance, and belief without discipleship.
Biblically, grace is not just pardon—it is power that leads to a changed life.
Savor Moment Allow God’s mercy soak into every aspect of your life so that you will be tender to the conviction of the Spirit
Don’t settle for cheap grace or dry meatballs
Soaking breadcrumbs in milk (creating a "panade") creates tender, moist meatballs by preventing the proteins from over-tightening. Combine equal parts breadcrumbs and milk (e.g., 1/2 cup each), let it sit for 5–15 minutes until a thick paste forms, and then gently mix this paste into the meat mixture. This method works with both fresh or dry breadcrumbs and, traditionally, stale bread.
