The Cost of Living
The Cost of Following Jesus: More Than Just a Free Trial
In a world where everything seems to come with a price tag, we often find ourselves longing for something that doesn't drain our wallets. From the rising cost of eggs to the sky-high housing prices, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant financial demands of modern life. But what about the cost of following Jesus? Is it just another expense to add to our already stretched budgets, or is it something entirely different?
The truth is, salvation is absolutely free. It's an incredible gift given to us out of God's boundless love, with no strings attached. However, being a true disciple of Jesus? That's going to cost you everything.
Following Jesus isn't about adding Him to your already busy life like an afterthought. It's not a free trial with no commitment. It's about making Him the very center of your existence. This means letting go of some comforts, relinquishing control, and sometimes even losing the approval of others. It means choosing obedience when it's inconvenient, loving when it's difficult, and trusting when it makes no sense at all.
But here's the incredible part: the cost is nothing compared to what you'll gain. Jesus offers us life – real, abundant, eternal life. He gives us purpose, meaning, peace, and rest. He provides access to a personal and life-changing relationship with our Father, freedom from sin and guilt, and a new identity. He offers hope, victory, and unconditional love. And the retirement plan? It's heavenly.
In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus uses the analogy of building a tower to illustrate the importance of counting the cost before committing to follow Him. He says, "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? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'"
This passage teaches us two important lessons. First, the process of building something big begins with sitting down. Before we start swinging hammers, we need to sit and think. In the same way, following Jesus requires us to pause, pray, and consider before we act. There's power in the pause.
Second, Jesus is focused on the outcome, the end goal. Achieving success at the end of the journey starts at the beginning. You don't stumble into strong faith or wake up one day as a fully devoted disciple. It starts with a decision, a commitment, and a willingness to walk the path no matter the cost.
But what does this cost look like in our day-to-day lives? It might mean a shift in your social circle, letting go of habits or desires that don't align with God's will, or trusting in God's provision rather than your bank account. It could involve giving up certain types of entertainment, breaking free from harmful addictions, or living more generously.
In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus lays out three powerful requirements for those who want to be His disciples: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."
These requirements all point to the same truth: it's not about you anymore. It's about Jesus. It's about letting go of your way and fully embracing His. Taking up your cross means being willing to face difficulties and challenges for the sake of following Christ.
However, it's crucial to understand that Jesus doesn't demand perfection; He demands perseverance. We will fall. We will stumble. Some days we'll feel like we've completely failed as disciples. But Jesus is always there to pick us back up. He calls us to follow Him, not because we're perfect, but because He is.
Following Jesus is like being on the most incredible life-changing adventure where you get to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself. It's about surrendering your own plans for a life of purpose, knowing that we're being led by a Savior who doesn't just redeem us, but continually restores us, pours out His love, and teaches us to love others like He loves us.
The cost is real, and sometimes it feels like we're signing up for a spiritual boot camp. But the reward is beyond anything we could ever imagine. Jesus promises that those who lose their life for His sake will actually find true life – the kind that's richer, fuller, and way more exciting than anything we could have planned for ourselves.
So, ultimately, the question isn't "What will it cost you to follow Jesus?" but rather, "What will it cost you not to?" Because nothing in this world can compare to the life He offers.
As we reflect on this, let's take a moment for a heart check. Let this be an opportunity to renew our commitment, to strengthen our relationship with Christ, and to reflect on the boundless love He has for each of us. May we respond with a wholehearted "Yes, Lord, I am all in."
In a world obsessed with the cost of living, perhaps it's time we focused on the cost of truly living – the cost of following Jesus. It may demand everything, but it offers even more in return. And that, my friends, is the best deal you'll ever find.
In a world where everything seems to come with a price tag, we often find ourselves longing for something that doesn't drain our wallets. From the rising cost of eggs to the sky-high housing prices, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the constant financial demands of modern life. But what about the cost of following Jesus? Is it just another expense to add to our already stretched budgets, or is it something entirely different?
The truth is, salvation is absolutely free. It's an incredible gift given to us out of God's boundless love, with no strings attached. However, being a true disciple of Jesus? That's going to cost you everything.
Following Jesus isn't about adding Him to your already busy life like an afterthought. It's not a free trial with no commitment. It's about making Him the very center of your existence. This means letting go of some comforts, relinquishing control, and sometimes even losing the approval of others. It means choosing obedience when it's inconvenient, loving when it's difficult, and trusting when it makes no sense at all.
But here's the incredible part: the cost is nothing compared to what you'll gain. Jesus offers us life – real, abundant, eternal life. He gives us purpose, meaning, peace, and rest. He provides access to a personal and life-changing relationship with our Father, freedom from sin and guilt, and a new identity. He offers hope, victory, and unconditional love. And the retirement plan? It's heavenly.
In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus uses the analogy of building a tower to illustrate the importance of counting the cost before committing to follow Him. He says, "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? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'"
This passage teaches us two important lessons. First, the process of building something big begins with sitting down. Before we start swinging hammers, we need to sit and think. In the same way, following Jesus requires us to pause, pray, and consider before we act. There's power in the pause.
Second, Jesus is focused on the outcome, the end goal. Achieving success at the end of the journey starts at the beginning. You don't stumble into strong faith or wake up one day as a fully devoted disciple. It starts with a decision, a commitment, and a willingness to walk the path no matter the cost.
But what does this cost look like in our day-to-day lives? It might mean a shift in your social circle, letting go of habits or desires that don't align with God's will, or trusting in God's provision rather than your bank account. It could involve giving up certain types of entertainment, breaking free from harmful addictions, or living more generously.
In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus lays out three powerful requirements for those who want to be His disciples: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."
These requirements all point to the same truth: it's not about you anymore. It's about Jesus. It's about letting go of your way and fully embracing His. Taking up your cross means being willing to face difficulties and challenges for the sake of following Christ.
However, it's crucial to understand that Jesus doesn't demand perfection; He demands perseverance. We will fall. We will stumble. Some days we'll feel like we've completely failed as disciples. But Jesus is always there to pick us back up. He calls us to follow Him, not because we're perfect, but because He is.
Following Jesus is like being on the most incredible life-changing adventure where you get to be a part of something so much bigger than yourself. It's about surrendering your own plans for a life of purpose, knowing that we're being led by a Savior who doesn't just redeem us, but continually restores us, pours out His love, and teaches us to love others like He loves us.
The cost is real, and sometimes it feels like we're signing up for a spiritual boot camp. But the reward is beyond anything we could ever imagine. Jesus promises that those who lose their life for His sake will actually find true life – the kind that's richer, fuller, and way more exciting than anything we could have planned for ourselves.
So, ultimately, the question isn't "What will it cost you to follow Jesus?" but rather, "What will it cost you not to?" Because nothing in this world can compare to the life He offers.
As we reflect on this, let's take a moment for a heart check. Let this be an opportunity to renew our commitment, to strengthen our relationship with Christ, and to reflect on the boundless love He has for each of us. May we respond with a wholehearted "Yes, Lord, I am all in."
In a world obsessed with the cost of living, perhaps it's time we focused on the cost of truly living – the cost of following Jesus. It may demand everything, but it offers even more in return. And that, my friends, is the best deal you'll ever find.