Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German pastor, theologian and a martyr for Christ. He was one of the co-founder of the confessing church and also participated in the German resistance movement against Nazism. Bonhoeffer became known for his stiff opposition to the Nazi dictatorship. He opposed Hitler's euthanasia program and genocidal persecution of the Jews. Many of his writings which are centered on Christianity and its role in this secular world have become widely influential. His book labeled "The Cost of Discipleship" was considered a modern classic and it mainly focuses on Christ’s teaching and the need to follow it. The title originates from the German word “Nachfolge” which means Discipleship. It is centered on an exposition of the Sermon on the Mount, in which Bonheoffer explains what he believes it means to follow Christ. This book was published in 1937, when the growth of the Nazi regime was in progress in Germany and the evolution of Bonhoeffer’s theology of costly discipleship during this period led him to risk his own life.
He explains cheap grace as this: It is when a Christian takes God’s free gift of salvation on the cross for granted. It is evident when we see Christians after receiving the assurance of forgiveness and salvation continue to live in sin and neglect to obey the principles of Christ’s teachings. It is not that just because our sins are forgiven, we can continue to enjoy in repeating the same old sins. We are to cherish the gift of forgiveness by heeding to the commandments of Christ and follow His teachings. He describes costly grace as a willingness to follow Christ by accepting His call and lead a separated life renouncing all form of sinful pleasures seen in this reprobate world. A person considers Christ’s gift of salvation as costly when he shuns evil and obey every commandment in the Bible and also teach others to follow Christ. It is when we have a desire to become more like Christ thus revealing His glory through us.
He further explains that it means to live a life pleasing in the sight of God and no force on earth should be able to separate us from God. It is a bold decision to follow Christ in all kinds of situations in life, both good and bad times. We should have the courage and the zeal to stand for Christ whatever the plight may be, even to the extent of risking our own lives. Cheap grace speaks of the church where confession, repentance and baptism are not practiced. This is not true discipleship but rather living a name sake Christian life with no witness. In contrast, costly grace involves people exhibiting the fruits unto holiness: confession of sins, true repentance (not repeating the sins that were done in the past) and taking immersion baptism. This is the purpose for which Christ died on Calvary, to offer forgiveness and lead people to live a pure life.
Bonhoeffer illustrates his views on the Sermon on the Mount where Christ preached to people to be as “Salt of the earth”. Salt gives flavor to the food that we eat and if salt has no savor, then it is not fit for use but only to be thrown away. In the same way Christ compares our life to this salt which requires us to live a life of witness without which we would be living a meaningless and an empty life. Christ tells us to be as light of this world. There are many people living in sin without the knowledge of redemption. When we accept Christ and teach the same to others, we are the lights of the world dispelling the darkness of sin and leading them to the true light Jesus Christ.
He further interprets Christ sermon where Christ teaches us the way a prayer should be made. Our prayer should not be mere repetition of words and should not be in such a way to gain the praise of men. Our prayer should not be long and involve the usage of flowery words to attract others but rather be a true communication with God the Father and us. Prayers should be made secretly with a sincere heart and with the assurance that it will be answered by the heavenly father. We can trust our heavenly father for all our needs, wants, and desires. He has given us a promise that we shall receive whatever we ask in prayer. With our prayer accompanied by faith, we can be assured that our need will be fulfilled.
Bonhoeffer describes Christ concept of love as a unique one. We ought to love our neighbors as ourselves and have to apply it in our practical life. We have to overcome evil with good, should not seek revenge on our enemies but in contrast exhibit the love of Christ even to our enemies. By doing this we prove that we are true disciples of Christ.
In the Cost of Discipleship, Bonhoeffer recognizes that the purpose of the Sermon on the Mount is to make people understand the importance of righteousness and practice in our day to day life. He further states that to lead a righteous life, it demands sacrifice and spending quality time with God to transform us to be a person that he desires. Everyone cannot follow costly grace as this requires a cost to be paid. Christ paid everything on the cross of Calvary, and this cost has to be valued. If it is not valued or cherished it is like casting pearls before swine. As swine’s do not know the value of a pearl, in the same way there is no use in preaching to people who do not know the value of Gods salvation and appreciate Gods grace.
Eventually, Bonhoeffer concludes that the call to be a disciple of Christ and to obey costly grace requires central focus on Christ alone. Being a disciple of Christ doesn’t mean that we can condemn others because of their sins. Instead we are to draw them to Christ through our love, pray for them and convert them from their wickedness through much patience. He expresses the fact that we as Disciples of Christ should live a separated life with no adulteration of sin. As a true disciple we cannot serve both God and mammon, we are called to serve God and forsake any gain that separates us from Christ. By doing this, we become true followers where we can lead others to Christ. Bonhoeffer exhorts the German churches to quit believing in false prophets and turn away from following cheap grace. Finally Bonhoeffer states that on the Day of Judgment, God will ask us whether we have completed the task that was entrusted in our hands to fulfill on this earth.
Bonhoeffer concludes his comparisons with the fact that only those who adhere to the commandments of Christ have obeyed Him, whereas those who have disobeyed his laws and teachings have rejected him. Christ himself is the best example who has shown us how to live in this world. He obeyed Gods commandment by coming into this world in the form of flesh. During His days on the earth, He went about preaching, loving the sick and the poor by healing their diseases and died on the cross of Calvary bearing the sin of the whole world thus fulfilling the laws of the scriptures.
Works Cited
Loconte, Joseph. "Belief in Action." online.wsj.com. N.p., April 23 2010. Web. 4 Dec 2013.
"Dietrich Bonhoeffer." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 1 Dec 2013. Web. 4 Dec 2013. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dietrich_Bonhoeffer>
