The End of Cheap Grace!

Scripture

18Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Observation

Notice Paul says Christ has committed to us the “word of reconciliation”. In other words, reconciliation won’t happen if we simply just keep it in our head. Sending good thoughts and vibes to the person we are in conflict with won’t accomplish anything. If we truly are “ambassadors for Christ” the only way God is going to be “pleading through us” to be reconciled is if we actually get up and go talk to someone about the offense, actually ask for forgiveness, and walk out the apology with a plan for change. The bottom line is that forgiveness without a spoken word of apology becomes cheap grace.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer described it this way, “Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession.... Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.”

Application

Last night I witnessed a powerful move of God at our House Youth gathering that was the living embodiment of the ministry of reconciliation. Our Youth Pastor Camille Henson had preached a powerful message on forgiveness and the cross.  I’m not normally at the youth group but I stood in the back and could tell Holy Spirit was moving in the room. Camille challenged everyone to walk out the forgiveness of The Cross they had received by writing down the names of those who they had unforgiveness towards and placing it on The Cross. At least half the room got up and left these names, hurts, words, and bittern feelings at The Cross. It was truly moving. Then, I felt God giving me a word I needed to share with the group. I said that I felt there were some in the room who needed to reconcile with each other before the night was done. Maybe they were upset, stressed out, offended or hurt and said something to a friend that came out more mean then they intended.  They were thinking, “I’m sure they are fine. They probably didn’t take it that way. It would be awkward to bring it up again.” I spoke strongly, “Make sure you are good before you go. Apologize if you need to. Your friendship is worth fighting for.” Alex and the team led worship and I honestly thought that would be the end of the service. It was actually the end of cheap grace. One by one the youth began to get up and go talk and pray with others in the room. Tears were flowing, hugs were given, walls were falling and hearts were mended as our youth walked out the ministry of reconciliation. What boldness and humility it takes to get out of your chair and humble yourself with a peer. I have never seen adults do this in a church setting and I’ve been preaching on  the power of apology for the past few weeks!  Our young people are leading the church back to authentic faith and true community and the end of cheap grace!

Prayer

Thank You Jesus for what You did last night. I’m so very grateful for Camille, our youth leaders and the gracious move of God happening at House Youth right now! I pray that this move of reconciliation will move from them to their parents, families, schools and thoughout the rest of the church. This is actually what Easter is all about! Holy Spirit pour out in a fresh way on our way to Resurrection Sunday!