We have been talking a lot about living for Christ on Sunday mornings. Sometimes I think that as we emphasize living for Christ we can come under the false impression that such living is easy and has no cost to us. So, we are surprised when God asks something of us that has unexpected cost. It is true that Jesus has paid our way to God. But, living in His way does cost us. The glory is that it costs so much less than living our own way.
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.’… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. – Luke 14:27-33
What does it mean to count the cost? It means we consider what pains, hardships, blessings, and opportunities the path we are on truly gives us. I was thinking through Romans 6:14-23 recently. I thought of the paths that Paul set before us. He talked about the paths of both righteousness and sin. Each path suggests a type of blessing to us. The path of righteousness declares that we will have eternal life through Christ’s righteousness. The path of sin promises pleasure and self-determination.
Each path also has a cost. The path of righteousness encourages us to give up being the boss of our own life and let Jesus lead our every moral and significant decision. This may lead to sacrifice or persecution as we go against the desires of culture or friends and family. Ultimately, though, it leads to blessed life in the today and in the forever after. The path of sin leads to pain too as the flesh puts us under bondage and guilt as we hurt ourselves and others. We might feel in control, but ultimately it leads to hell.
I don’t know about you, but when I count the cost I understand what Jesus meant when He said that His burden is light. (Matthew 11:30) The “freedom” of the flesh leads to an even worse bondage. It is only through Jesus that real life is found. There may be sacrifice, but it is a sacrifice that is worth it.
What about you? Have you counted the cost of the way you are living now? Is it really worth it?
Something to think about,
Pastor John
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