Cheap grace & the lie of love without cost

Why does an ordinary glass crack when boiling water is poured into it? Its because of the pressure caused by the difference in temperature between the inside and the outside. The structural integrity of the object cannot bear this scale of difference.

It’s a good metaphor for the human need for integrity. When there is a vast difference between how we present on the outside and how we are on the inside, the cracks start to appear. The difference is called hypocrisy and it cannot be concealed forever.

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Everyone wants to think of themselves as a good person. We all like to be the heroes of our own stories.

Whilst there is nothing new in this human tendency, social media has vastly accelerated the ways in which we curate, edit and promote an external image to the world. 

Virtue-signaling. Clicktivism. Keyboard warriors.

These phrases describe the tendency of concerns for compassion or social justice to be warped by superficiality. More than ever its tempting to want to be known to care about an issue without the tiresome commitment of actually being involved.

I find it a helpful reminder that there is only a one letter difference between blogging and blagging. 

I often think of words my former boss, Chris Erskine used to say:

‘What is done on the pavement is more important than what is said on the platform’

Corporate version
And this problem affects both individuals and organisations.

Some national charities have developed brands which are incredibly powerful and successful in raising funds but which are out of proportion to their level of operation. They have become adept at curating a brand which provides an association to an issue people care about without actually running much frontline work. They are more invested in the clear external perceptions of their brand than the inevitably complex nature of the actual work.

This is dangerous as it detaches profile and platforms further from reality. It values the outward presentation more than substance and integrity.

Superficiality

Whether individually or corporately, concepts of kindness and compassion are easily warped by superficiality and romanticism. We are seduced into thinking that love can be expressed without cost. But this is not true.

We cannot love others without cost. We cannot love our children without it costing us.  We cannot love our husband or wife if we have not given them what costs us. We cannot be a good colleague or citizen if it has cost us nothing. We cannot love our local community if we contribute nothing to it.

Building on rock

And it’s the same with spirituality. Beliefs which cost nothing change nothing.

The Church is vulnerable to religious hypocrisy because we operate in a world dominated by words: sermons, creeds, songs, prayers – and plenty of blogs and podcasts too.  But the Bible tells us that these count for little if they do not connect to action.

Jesus challenges us to build our lives on rock.  This type of building costs us: it involves graft, sweat and toil. But these committed and costly actions establish something which endures.

As Jesus said ‘Wisdom is proved right by her actions’. And as James wrote ‘Faith without deeds is dead’.

Costly grace

Jesus did not just share wise words. He lived a life of costly service, enduring hardship and continual opposition. His death on the cross is the ultimate expression of costly grace.

The love shown on the cross is the opposite of sentimental or superficial. And this is why we find here the deepest resources for engaging with truth.  

If we have done wrong then the truth is painful to face and can be costly to deal with – but it is the path to finding true healing, forgiveness and restoration. The path to grace must always goes via truth.

Heroes of our own stories

Everyone wants to think of themselves as good people. We all like to be the heroes of our own stories. But we must ensure the outside we show to others connects to the inner life we live.  The connection is called integrity.

And this is why we must value most the views of those with whom we live and work. The perspective of those closest to you will always be far more valuable than those who applaud your curated profile from afar. Proximity matters.

And finally, authentic faith means cherishing most the perspective of the One who sees everything. The One from whom no secret is hidden and all desires known. The One who truly knows us. The One whose grace can heal us and whose truth can set us free.