CHEAP GRACE

Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a person 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 us our life, and it is grace because it gives us 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 God's Son: "you were bought at a price," and what has cost God much, cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon God's Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.
(copied from A year with Deitrich Bonhoeffer, p.209)

NO CONDEMNATION

Condemned! I stood before the Judge in fear
His gavel bringing silence to the Court
The sentence for the broken Law was given
In horror I fell prostrate to the floor.

I pled to have my case somehow commuted
For deeds of charity that I had done
Then tried to show my deep religious fervor
By all the accolades that I had won.

But when His blaze of Glory fell upon me
There was no scale of measure to compare
For sin polluted all my human nature
And only filthy rags as proof to wear.

Then suddenly the weight of hell engulfed me
I could not look upon His holy face
But from a broken heart I cried for mercy
And from His throne there flowed redeeming grace.

The Judge stepped down and taking off His garments
The sinless Son of God in human flesh
Stood in my place before His Court of Justice
And paid the fullest price for all my sin.

So now in Christ there is no condemnation
Loves greatest sacrifice is all-complete
Praise floods my soul with love and adoration
And through the ages worship at His feet.
--B. Pent

AMERICA IN THE BALANCE

At about the time our original 13 States adopted their new Constitution, in the year 1787, Alexander Tyler (a Scottish history professor at The University of Edinburgh) had this to say about "The Fall of The Athenian Republic" some 2,000 years prior."

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury."

"From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, (which is) always followed by a dictatorship."

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years. During those 200 years, these nations always progressed through the following sequence:
From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependence;
From dependence back into bondage."
(Source unknown)

FEELING BETRAYED

I'm torn apart, so full of pain
Its arrows shatter all my dreams
My heart is filled with bitter shame
I feel betrayed while given blame.

The anger that disturbs my rest
Has made all trust a distant friend
And like a ship that's lost at sea
Its waves are crashing down on me.

Why did this jagged cross appear
Inflicting so much pain and tears?
Is this the price that I must pay
For following Jesus every day?

Tis then I hear the Shepherd's voice
While clinging to His nail-scared hands
"It is My cross you're called to bear
It is My love you're called to share."

So from the ashes of my grief
The Potter forms a vessel rare
And yielding to His will I find
The Treasure that He has in mind.
--B. Pent

FEELING FREE

I was born in sin's dominion
Held a captive by the Foe
Prison bars were my companions
Dark and dreadful, full of woe.

Cruel the master that enslaved me
Fear became my dreaded chains
While the auctioneer gave orders
To be sold for piteous gains.

Then amidst the frenzied bidding
There appeared the Son of Man
With the highest price as payment
His own blood, redemption's plan.

Suddenly the doors swung open
As the fetters loosed their grip
I ran out and fell before Him
Freed from Satan's horrible pit.

Then He called me to His family
As a dear beloved son
Now by grace I stand forgiven
Through my Lord, the risen One.

Praises fill my inmost being
Once a captive now set free
Glorious is my Lord and Master
I am His eternally.
--B. Pent

THE VALLEY OF DEATH

Cliff was in a comma! The tubes throughout his body gave evidence that cancer was claiming his life. The family knew it was only a matter of time!

As a boy, Cliff had attended our Sunday School. But Christ was not a part of his growing up years. Later, his job, family and sports took up most of his time. Then cancer struck! Surgery, radiation and chemo did little to stop its progress.

When I got the call to see him , I felt helpless! While driving to his bedside I prayed for an opportunity to share Christ. Miraculously, he awoke! I explained God's plan of salvation. While doubting God's mercy so late in life, I told him of the penitent thief crucified beside Jesus who cried: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" and He answered, "today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:42-43).

After inviting Christ into his life, an unspeakable radiance and peace came over him. Later that night, he went to be with Lord and his memorial service was one of celebration and victory.

If there is any doubt you are outside of God's mercy, His promise is the same to you as it was to that thief on the cross. His promise is guaranteed! But you must decide before you walk through the valley of death.

FEELING DISAPPOINTMENT

There are times in life we carry
Disappointments and distress
And we try to find its meaning
During days of loneliness.

When a pledge for life together
Finds loves dream walk out the door
Bitter anguish knows no measure
As in death, life is no more.

If your dearest friend has failed you
And its tearing you apart
Or you feel you've been forsaken
There's one Friend that won't depart.

You are not alone this journey
These sharp thorns that mark your path
Are like those He bore on Calvary
To prepare you for life's task.

So when disappointments tempt you
To give way to bitterness
Look to Christ the source of comfort
He'll bring joy and happiness.
--B. Pent