The Cost of Discipleship Summary

"Grace at a bargain price is no grace at all." – Are we prepared to embrace the challenges that come with a deep and transformative faith?

1. The Distinction Between Cheap and Costly Grace

Grace is often misunderstood as something freely given without expectation. In the book, Bonhoeffer highlights the contrast between cheap grace and costly grace. Cheap grace is effortless, requiring neither change nor sacrifice, and results in shallow faith. Costly grace, however, demands transformation, active obedience, and often personal sacrifice.

Cheap grace is like shortcuts in life – satisfying momentarily, but ultimately hollow. For example, simply attending a church service without applying its teachings in life represents cheap grace. In contrast, costly grace would involve committing to love, forgiveness, and ethical living despite the difficulties. This aligns with Jesus' call to “take up your cross,” symbolizing a life centered around struggles that refine and grow one’s faith.

Cheap grace offers comfort but no commitment. Costly grace demands a deep investment – one that integrates Christ’s teachings into every facet of existence, even at great cost. It’s not about earning grace but demonstrating its transformative impact by how one lives.

Examples

• A businessman choosing honesty in his dealings, though it might cost him financially or professionally.
• A person forgiving someone who caused deep hurt, even when it’s emotionally taxing.
• A family prioritizing serving others over personal ease, living their values out in obvious, tangible ways.

2. Faith as a Vital Commitment, Not Intellectual Agreement

Faith isn’t just about believing in God’s existence; it’s about letting that belief guide every decision and action. Bonhoeffer defines discipleship as a way of living that reorients humanity toward humility and servitude, rejecting the ease of passive belief.

An example would be someone who professes faith but doesn’t act on principles of love or justice, effectively leading a life indistinguishable from non-believers. Bonhoeffer suggests this is not true discipleship. Faith that doesn’t inspire action soon wanes, turning grace into a cheap commodity.

Living authentically in faith involves aligning one’s entire life to Christ’s message. This doesn’t mean perfection every day, but it does mean a willingness to grow, change, and reflect His teachings in both big decisions and everyday events.

Examples

• A teacher guiding students toward ethical integrity, even at the risk of personal backlash.
• A leader advocating for justice in a corrupt system, motivated by faith rather than self-gain.
• A neighbor consistently showing kindness to others in ways no one else sees.

3. The Original Sin of Independence

Bonhoeffer reframes "original sin" as humanity’s desire to judge right and wrong independently of God. This streak of independence leads to pride and self-governance, making individuals their own moral authorities.

This sin manifests in decisions driven by self-interest rather than divine wisdom. For instance, choosing greed over generosity or revenge over humility reflects reliance on personal judgment instead of God’s guidance.

To overcome this, Bonhoeffer calls for submission to God’s moral framework. Releasing control can feel unnatural but ultimately ensures alignment with a universal and loving perspective, rather than the biases of human fallibility.

Examples

• Declining to retaliate against someone who wronged you, trusting God to handle justice.
• Voluntarily helping someone in need, even if logic suggests keeping resources for yourself.
• Acknowledging God’s wisdom in ethical dilemmas instead of justifying dishonesty.

4. The Practice of Loving Enemies

Bonhoeffer challenges the familiar but difficult teaching to love one’s enemies. This command isn’t optional – it’s central to Christian identity. Loving enemies means choosing understanding, mercy, and reconciliation over bitterness and revenge.

Consider how ordinary conflicts escalate when love is absent. A co-worker’s mistake could turn into long-term resentment, harming relationships. Loving enemies doesn’t mean excusing behavior but aiming for peace over prolonged animosity.

Bonhoeffer highlights Jesus' example on the cross, praying for those who inflicted harm. This radical love is the essence of costly grace, embodying forgiveness when it’s most difficult.

Examples

• Reaching out to someone estranged to mend old misunderstandings.
• Supporting a rival in need, even when competition creates tension.
• Advocating for fair treatment of someone you disagree with deeply.

5. Community: The Heart of Faith

Faith doesn’t thrive in isolation. Bonhoeffer stresses how discipleship requires connection with others. The Church, as the collective body of believers, is essential for living out and practicing faith authentically.

Individualism breeds cheap grace, as people can practice Christianity without accountability. Contrast this with the Church community, where the teachings of Christ are shared, reinforced, and lived out in real-time interactions, encouraging growth.

True community reflects Christ’s love. It forgives, uplifts, and collaborates. Each member contributes differently, creating harmony akin to diverse instruments in an orchestra working together to create beautiful music.

Examples

• Congregational missions helping local impoverished communities.
• Small groups praying and studying scripture together weekly.
• Families supporting one another during crises as an extension of God’s love.

6. Daily Sacrifice as Constant Discipleship

Discipleship isn’t a single grand gesture – it’s an everyday practice of surrendering one’s life, continuously choosing integrity, faith, and love over selfish instincts.

It’s like fitness, requiring daily discipline to see results. An individual with faith practices consistent honesty, patience, and humility – not just notable heroic deeds but small, meaningful choices that collectively define their Christian walk.

True sacrifice involves surrendering desires that conflict with Christ’s teachings. Disciples don’t live for personal comfort; they aim for lives shaped by God’s purpose.

Examples

• Choosing to spend time volunteering rather than indulging in personal leisure.
• Forgoing wealth accumulation to prioritize tithing and community contributions.
• Letting go of grudges or past hurts to foster peace and forgiveness.

7. Ethical Responsibility and Standing Against Injustice

Bonhoeffer advocates for ethical activism, urging believers to combat oppression and immorality, even when costly. He modeled this by opposing Nazi tyranny and advocating for truth and compassion.

Standing against injustice isn’t easy. It sometimes leads to alienation or danger, yet Bonhoeffer emphasizes that faith unattached to action becomes meaningless. To follow Jesus demands standing on His side on issues of humanity and morality.

God calls His followers to participate actively in restoring justice and healing creation, whether through leadership, local outreach, or quiet acts of kindness.

Examples

• Advocating for equitable policies and systems despite backlash.
• Speaking up when someone is being unfairly criticized.
• Providing for someone in crisis without seeking recognition.

8. The Sermon on the Mount as a Way of Life

The Sermon on the Mount contains many teachings that move beyond ideals into practical living. From advocating humility to asking believers to give generously, these lessons encapsulate Christianity's actionable heart.

Bonhoeffer argues that discipleship means taking these lessons seriously, applying them not as lofty virtues but active commands shaping every decision, whether personal, familial, or societal.

Discipleship isn’t abstract; it touches real moments, from how we treat workers to how decisions influence others locally and globally.

Examples

• Sharing resources generously with others instead of hoarding.
• Forgiving debts to reflect the ultimate forgiveness given through grace.
• Seeking peace, even amidst an overwhelming tendency toward conflict.

9. Faith in All Aspects of Life

Faith shouldn’t be compartmentalized. Rather than confining belief to Sundays or religious settings, Bonhoeffer underscores bringing faith into every moment – work, relationships, and play.

Professional success, family happiness, and societal status should reflect faith-driven values. Doing so eliminates the division between the secular and sacred, integrating faith everywhere.

This involves viewing jobs and leadership from a service-oriented mindset, parenting with Christ-like love, or redefining social relationships in terms of grace and integrity.

Examples

• Leading a team at work with humility and integrity rather than power-seeking.
• Parenting with both discipline and selfless care, teaching principles by example.
• Building relationships based on transparency and empathy.

Takeaways

1. Begin every decision by asking how it aligns with Jesus’ teachings, even if it requires personal sacrifice.
2. Actively seek out and contribute to a community of believers for encouragement and accountability in faith.
3. Integrate your faith into daily life – from workplace challenges to family routines and social issues – choosing costly grace over convenience.