Counting the Cost

When thinking of a project we’re about to begin, most of us take time at the outset to consider how much time, cost and effort will be necessary to achieve the desired result.  In similar fashion, Jesus explains that to become a disciple of His, one must count the cost.  Speaking to a multitude in Luke 14:25-33, Jesus teaches a number of things in regards to discipleship: having a greater love for Him than family (vs. 26), bearing one’s cross and following Him (vs. 27), counting the cost of one’s endeavors (vs. 28-32), and then utimately emphasizing that “whoever . . . does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (vs. 33).  A similar point is made earlier in the gospel of Luke where Jesus tells His disciples “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).  It becomes abundantly clear that for someone to become a disciple of Christ, a Christian, he must live a life that is focused on Jesus and not on self or other things.

The apostle Paul continues this same train of thought in his writings.  For example, take note of Paul’s words in Philippians 3:7-8.  There he says, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.  Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”  Each day we need to remember that we were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus, and that our lives are not our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  No more beautiful words could be spoken than what we read in Galatians 2:20 as to what we should count of utmost importance:  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

So, as we go through our daily lives, may we ever keep in memory the life Christ gave for us, and count Him worthy of our praise and adoration through selfless and faithful service.