costly grace...

I read this wonderful quote by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "the German pastor who was executed by Hitler's regime in the dying days of the Second World War" (The Message of Leviticus, by Derek Tidball; p. 84).  It's about how grace is not cheap, but I often treat it cheaply... I think because there is an infinite supply of it.  In fact, it's something that is always available for me, but how often do I choose grace over being in sin?  Not enough...

Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.

Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ.  It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.  It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner.  Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of His Son:  'ye were bought with a price', and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us.  Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon His Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered Him up for us.

What cost God much cannot be cheap for us.  Lord, help me remember daily the value of costly grace...