This week I would like to talk about the cost of being a believer and follower of Christ. The cost of discipleship. Some people think that the day they were saved, everything is going to come up roses. But in reality… we just entered into a battle with a very powerful adversary… Satan. He’s going to try everything to destroy your faith in God.
Before we made a commitment to follow Christ, we were part of the world that belongs to Satan. Even then we worshiped a god… the god was ourselves. Nothing mattered except pleasing and serving our selfish wants and desires. We are taught from a young age to be all we can be. Satan tells us we will find happiness in money, fame, material things, and all the things of the world. Satan uses these half-truths and tempts us to indulge in them. Half-truths because these things will only bring joy, as the Bible says, for a season or a short time.
The first cost of discipleship…
When we follow Jesus, we make God the number one thing in our life. We stop trying to find our happiness in the world, in return God gives us a permanent joy and happiness. In Matthew Chapter 16 highlights the cost of discipleship. Following Jesus means putting Him first, denying ourselves, and being willing to endure hardship and suffering.
Matthew 16:24-26 says, “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”
When you give up or die to the world you will live and find life in Christ forever. Even if you had everything that the world offers… In less than 100 years you would lose it all. Your soul would spend eternity for a little bit of temporary happiness on earth for an eternal damnation in a place called hell.
A Second cost of discipleship…
In the book of Revelation, we see an example of people who were willing to follow Jesus even to the point of death. In Revelation 2:10, Jesus speaks to the church in Smyrna and says, “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.“
These words were not just meant for the church in Smyrna, but for all believers throughout history. Jesus is calling us to be faithful, even unto death. This does not mean that we should seek out persecution or martyrdom, but rather that we should be willing to endure whatever suffering may come our way for the sake of the Gospel.
In Philippians Chapter 3, the apostle Paul gives us a powerful reminder of the importance of following Christ wholeheartedly. He was willing to give up everything for the sake of knowing Jesus and becoming like Him. He was willing to share in Christ’s sufferings and to become like Him in His death, knowing that this was the only way to truly gain life.
Jesus’ calls us to “Follow Him…” That is a call to discipleship, to leave behind our old lives and to embrace a new way of living. It’s a call to put Jesus first, to deny ourselves, and to be willing to endure whatever may come our way for the sake of the Gospel. As we follow Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that He is with us every step of the way, and that our ultimate reward is the crown of life that He has promised to all who are faithful to the end.
In closing, how is your relationship with God? Are you a true disciple of Christ? Have you put God first in ALL areas of your life? If not… now is the time to get right with God. Maybe you never had a relationship with God or maybe you have fallen away and need to renew your relationship. Please take the time now and pray…tomorrow maybe too late.
Tell God you believe His Son Jesus paid for your sins and arose from the grave. Tell God you are sorry and want to start Living for Him. He will forgive your sins and mistakes and give you Everlasting Life with Him… and place His Spirit deep within your heart. In 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” and in Romans 10:9 tells us,”that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;“
I pray that God will Bless and Keep!!! Bob
I thank you for reading my blog. I do not claim to be any expert or affiliated with any religious organization. All I can say is that I’m affiliated with my Lord Jesus Christ. This is one man’s opinion and observation. My hope is I stirred up some thoughts for you to think about. There is one place that we can find all the answers to life. That road map is Commonly known as the Bible. If you want the answers to life all you have to do is read. If you would like me to pray with you or want to send a comment, please email me at Bob.L@magnificentpromises.com or the form below.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16