orthodoxgladness:

Faith is not only to be baptized into Christ, but also to obey His commandments. Holy baptism is perfect and gives us perfection, but does not make perfect the non-fulfilling commandments. – St. Mark the Ascetic

What a wonderful depiction of the connection of Grace and Action. Luther drew the dramatic distinction between these two. Bonhoeffer called out the radical outcome of the chasm that developed between them. “Cheap Grace” was his term…grace without our personal sacrifice. Grace without our death.

Look at this beautiful child receiving Grace through baptism. Make no mistake, though, this same child will be called to suffer and die under that same Grace. In that calling…this child will find life in abundance.