Did You Know There Is a Cost to Being a Disciple of Jesus?
Jesus declared: “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33). Did you know that following Jesus Christ is never about our convenience or our personal comfort? In reality, it is a life of surrender that will involve sacrifice and steadfast obedience to the words of Jesus, regardless of how difficult the path may become.
This is of tremendous importance to fully understand. True discipleship requires placing Jesus Christ above every earthly attachment, our personal ambition, possession, and personal desire.
Every believer must understand that Jesus Christ leaves no room for partial commitment. Jesus calls all who would follow Him to yield every area of our lives to His Lordship, because whatever is deliberately withheld from Him remains outside His rule.
Jesus also said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23). To deny oneself is to surrender our self-rule so that Jesus Christ alone reigns as Lord. It means choosing His will above any personal preference that we may have and remaining faithful even when obedience is costly.
Jesus made the cost of discipleship unmistakably clear: “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27). This is very important to understand: those who willingly surrender their lives for Christ discover that they have not lost life; they have found it. Jesus said: “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.” (Luke 9:24)
Therefore, although the cost of discipleship is great, the reward of gaining Christ is infinitely greater. This must become a firm revelation in our lives as believers that to follow Jesus is to enter into the reality of eternal life, fellowship with the Father, and the transforming life of the Holy Spirit of Christ.
Jesus does not call people merely to admire Him, believe certain truths about Him, or follow Him when it is convenient. He calls them to surrender, obey, endure, and follow Him completely.