Cheap Grace & Pound Puppies

Some time ago, I began a study which talked about cheap grace & costly grace. In cheap grace, one acknowledges he is a sinner, asks Christ into his life & is secure that he is forgiven. He accepts that Jesus died for him & freely receives the accompanying forgiveness & mercy. Knowing he is saved through grace & not by works, he continues to live his life as he so chooses. Costly grace is different. It costs someone his life. The same repentance, acquiescence & acceptance occurs, but there is a change in all aspects of his life. He cedes his himself to the Word of God which has been written on his heart. He does not continue to do as he pleases, rather he gives in to the will of God in all of his daily words & deeds. I once asked a stranger if he were a Christian & he replied, "Of course. Isn't everyone?" I think perhaps that is an example of cheap grace. Doing the right thing when I really don't want to...I think that is costly grace. I read that we will be rewarded with "treasures in heaven", but I don't think we will get a pile of jewels. Giving our lives to Him after He gave His for us, I believe the prize will be hearing His actual words, "Well done."

Where do the puppies come into all this? Well, nearly every pet I have owned has been a "rescue". I sometimes watch a show where officers rescue pets from deplorable conditions & find them loving homes. One day, my son & I were watching as the cops removed a dieing animal that had been left to fend for himself in a back yard. The family seemed genuinely broken-hearted, though the dog was emaciated, infested with fleas & had infected sores all over it's little body. He was dieing from neglect, yet he wagged his tail, rubbed against them & offered love to everyone. A lot of people want the unconditional love of a pet, but they don't accept the responsibility.
That neglected puppy reminded me of our Saviour who was shamed & bruised, beaten & left to die. Knowing that we will let Him down, He loves us & died for us. Those owners remind me of us... how often do we accept "cheap grace"? We want all the forgiveness & love, the grace & the mercy, but we neglect the relationship & the Word which He has written on our hearts... Cheap grace & puppies