Bible Study August 24, 2023
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV)
“23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”
As I read these verses nothing is exciting about picking up a cross and following someone even if it is Jesus. Heaven sounds wonderful but the journey is not so enticing.
I speak a great deal about grace in life, our dealings with other people, and how we conduct ourselves. Grace is so important as we deal with life. I remember hearing one day the term “cheap grace” and I wondered about the meaning of the term for some time. We live in a society today that is intolerant of anything it does not agree with.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer a German pastor wrote many books and stood up for the forgiveness of sin in the midst of the opposition to Hitler. He says “cheap grace” is “justification of the sin without justification of the sinner.” In other words our sin is forgiven and we go in life feeling secure in our relationship with God but we do not change.
Bonhoeffer brings up the idea of “taking up a cross daily” the creates a different idea for us. Sounds like a good way to get nailed to the cross. When we speak out the possibility of being criticized becomes more apparent. Bonhoeffer goes on to say it is “costly grace” we do not want to talk about. This is the part that deals with Jesus’ death on the cross and the blood He shed. This is the part that requires complete obedience to Him. We try toa void talking about this part of it because it just might lead to sacrifice.
Bonhoeffer stood in rebellion to Hitler it cost him his life.
Taking up our cross may mean hanging on it with Jesus.
God Bless.
Asbury Chapel 