Rom. 5:1-11, “Easy Believism” and “Cheap Grace” (1)

The matter of “easy believism” is frequently mentioned these days in Evangelical circles.  Part of it, in my view, is the resurgence in popularity of Dietrich Bonhoeffer who warned of “cheap grace.”  He was big on this subject.  But even before that, there were many who were addressing the issue, preaching a message with a greater emphasis on repentance and the necessity of a changed life. 

In our blog (https://ronandcindy.blogspot.com/) we drew attention to this at the end of our four posts on Mark 7:1-23.  What we saw was that the issue is not so much belittling grace but rather failing to understand the depth and influence of our sin.  We cheapen grace by saying we are not so sinful as to need a lot of grace.  This was frequently the charge of Christ against the Jews, as in the Pharisee who prayed in the temple that he was glad he wasn’t such a sinner as “this tax collector.”  It was the point of the Prodigal Son story; the older brother failed to understand he was as much in need of the father’s love as the younger “prodigal” son.

My concern at that point is that we often take up the responsibility of being judge and jury and possibly executioner of people we accuse of “easy believism.”  To be spiritual and reprove our brother (Gal. 6:1) is called for, of course.  But even in that, we are not called to be the judge of all men.  It is quite possible that, had we been in the courtyard on the night of Jesus’ arrest, that we would have accused Peter of “easy believism” or of cheapening the grace of God.  What it sounds like, when we lay this on others, is that we question the genuineness of their faith, something we are not capable of doing because we do not know the heart of another person.  Jesus did not fear this with Peter.  Within days of Peter’s denials Jesus was restoring Peter to a position of ministry.  Jesus never thought that Peter’s denials were the final chapter in his life of faith (Lk. 22:32).  Peter’s “lapse” is typical of the greatest men of faith.  Abraham, Jacob, David, Gideon, Jehoshaphat and many more exhibited lifestyle choices that some could say were “easy believism.” 

Allow me to tell one more story.  I have a friend, a good friend, who has told me that he despises the doctrine of the “pre-tribulational rapture” (that’s my view if you didn’t know) because he believes it leads to “easy believism.”  People have told him, when studying the great tribulation that is coming in the future “Day of the LORD,” that they are not worried because they are convinced that they will not be here on the earth during that time.  My friend takes that to mean they are not as highly motivated as they need to be in fighting the battle for holiness. 

Now my question is, what should I do about this?  Should I refrain from, or at least tone down, preaching Jesus’ promise to spare His Church from the coming wrath, lest I somehow take away the “fear motivation” so that others will not be as apt to be faithful to Christ?  That is my question and I love the answer!