Do You Know the Real Cost?
Salvation is a free gift from God and no one deserves it. It is by the grace of God and we receive it by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). There is nothing a sinner can do to earn God's mercy. But when you accept this gift and follow Jesus, it will cost you everything.
Jesus is not an extra help to your troubles or an accessory to make your life more comfortable. He becomes your whole life. He is King over all aspects of your life. You obey and follow Him no matter what, even when it means suffering, persecution and death.
If you want a comfortable life, then following Jesus is not for you!
The Narrow Way
“Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:14)
Jesus points out that the way to paradise is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only very few people would find it. This means that by being a follower of Jesus, you are choosing to walk on the difficult path that does not include the pleasures of the world. You are to focus on your relationship with God and live a godly and righteous life.
Only a few people find this narrow way to salvation because it is not attractive.
Examples of Counting the Cost
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Mark 8:34)
Jesus says that whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves. It means denying your sinful self, your lust, your addiction, your greed, your pride, your pleasures, or anything that does not give glory to God.
It means your old self, your old identity and the old way of life must all die. The way of the cross is all about sacrificing your own life for God and giving up your right to control your own life. Your life now belongs solely to God and His purpose.
“Whoever tries to keep their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life will preserve it.” (Mark 8:35)
Jesus makes it clear that if you try to hold on to your life you will lose it, but if you lose your life by following Him, you will save it. What He is saying is that by holding on to your old life and refusing to surrender to Him, you will lose your life because the old life is leading you towards eternal punishment in hell.
This is not because God is cruel, but because Jesus' blood is the only thing that can cover your sin. But when you surrender your life to Jesus, you will gain your life because, through Jesus' perfect life on the cross, you may have everlasting life God has promised.
What Does Jesus Say about Counting the Cost of Following Him?“
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?” (Luke 14:28-33)
Jesus gives two examples of what it means to follow Him: If you want to build a tower or go to war with another nation, would you not sit down and work out if you have enough money or power to accomplish it? And if you lay the foundation of the tower but end up running out of money, or if you go to war with a country that would defeat you, you will just look like a fool.
In verse 33, Jesus makes it clear by saying, ‘In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples’. If you are not ready to leave behind your old life to follow Jesus, then you are not worthy to be His disciple.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. And the kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matthew 13:44-46)
Jesus also told these two Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl. If you truly understand who Jesus is, what He has done for you and how much He means everything to your life, you will be like these two men in the parables. You would be full of joy and excitement to exchange everything you have for this gift of God. Do you see this hidden treasure? This is a joyful swap!
Persecution for Your Submission of Your Life to Jesus
“Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” (John 15:20)
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.” (Matthew 24:9)
Jesus talked of the reality of persecution for those who belong to Him. The apostle Paul (one of the early leading followers of Jesus) also spoke of persecution for following Jesus in 2 Timothy 3:12. ‘In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted’. In this world, we will face persecution for standing up for our faith. Many people of this world find Jesus' message offensive and unacceptable, and they will try to silence or kill those who are his believers. But Paul said,
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21)
Your Response: Listen to God and Pray...
- What does it mean to deny yourself and carry the cross to follow Jesus?
- Are you willing to surrender the way Jesus' teachings have demanded?
- Do you feel joy like the men in the stories of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl when you exchange your old life with the new life in Jesus?
- Which areas of your life are stopping you from fully surrendering your life to God? Are you willing to ask God to help you surrender those areas as well?
- Who will you share these teachings of Jesus with?
