The Cost of Following Jesus

        When we become a Christian we receive the free gift of God’s grace.  We are released from the burden of sin and set free from its bondage.  However, we also become a slave of God.  Following Jesus has its privileges AND its costs.  Luke 14:25-33 reveals: “Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

        The Cost of Service. Jesus’ followers must serve Him before all others (Luke 14:26).  Many people are not willing to serve Christ completely.  Sometimes we are unwilling to consider passages like Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 16:24 when we become a Christian.

        The Cost of Sacrifice. Jesus’ followers must subordinate their own interests to the interests of Christ (Luke 14:27).  This means that I have to willing to give everything over to God.  We must offer our lives and bodies to God as a personal sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2).

        The Cost of Self-assessment. Jesus’ followers must be fully in touch with who they are and how Christ has equipped and empowered them to do what He asks (Luke 14:28-30).  This means that we have to be willing to use our talents to bring growth in the body of Christ (John 15:1-8, Ephesians 4:11-16).

        The Cost of Strategy. Jesus’ followers must think through the issues and have the courage to act in the face of uncertainty (Luke 14:31-33).  God’s way is the best way, but we have to rely on Him in our decision making.  We cannot act in a rational and godly way without first thinking about the consequences.  This is why God has given us the Bible to study (II Timothy 2:15).

        There is much to living the Christian life, but it is worth the cost.  After all, God paid a high price to save me from my sins!  I hope you will remember that as you go through your week!  Have a great week!!!