Dietrich Bonhoeffer chided the church two generations ago because we were settling for what he called "cheap grace." He said that we were practicing a brand of Christianity without a cross. This was easy believism. In many circles it would seem that all that is necessary is to embrace certain creedal tenets, such as justification by faith alone. The ability to affirm right doctrine signifies that we are in the club. Dallas Willard has dubbed this as "bar code" Christianity. If we can be rung up by the great scanner in the sky, then eternal life is assured. With this understanding of the Christian life, what is the need to have a transformed life?

 

            Michael Wilkins comes at the same issue from a different angle. In his survey of Christian groups, people will readily identify themselves as "Christians," but be quite reluctant to call themselves "disciples." Why might this be? Being a Christian is easy. The only thing required is that we acknowledge our need of a savior and to receive a gift that I cannot earn nor deserve. But if I identify myself as a disciple, then I am making a statement about the quality of my followership. Being a Christian is a statement about what Christ has done for me; being a disciple is a statement about what I am doing for Christ.

 

            What would happen to the church of Jesus Christ if a majority of those who claim to follow Christ were nurtured to maturity through intimate, accountable relationships centered on the essentials of God's word? Self-initiating, reproducing disciples of Jesus would be the result.