Grace and peace to everyone joining in. Today, we are diving deep into a topic that is central to the walk of every believer, yet often overlooked in our modern context: the cost of discipleship. It is easy to say we believe, but Jesus doesn’t just call us to a mental agreement or a casual belief. Even the demons believe, and they tremble. Instead, Jesus calls us to follow Him, and that following almost always requires us to lay down our lives.
In a world that often teaches a “convenient” Christianity, we must return to the foundational truths of the Gospel. Being a disciple is not about adding Jesus to your existing life; it is about losing your life for His sake so that you might truly find it.
The Call to Self-Denial
The call to discipleship is made crystal clear in the Gospel of Luke 9:23: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
To be a true disciple requires self-denial. This means intentionally putting aside our own desires, personal ambitions, and worldly comforts to prioritize God’s will and purpose. We often claim He is our Lord and Savior, yet we only submit small, convenient parts of our lives to Him. True discipleship demands the whole heart. If following Christ feels easy all the time, it may be time to re-evaluate the relationship, because the scriptures make it clear that bearing a cross is part of the journey.
Bearing the Cross
In Luke 14:27, Jesus reinforces this by saying, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Bearing the cross signifies enduring hardship and trials for the sake of Christ. Many people are willing to suffer for the world or for their own goals, but they refuse to suffer for the name of Jesus. We must ask ourselves: are we willing to endure for Him?
Counting the Cost
Jesus encourages us to be wise and consider exactly what it means to follow Him. He uses the powerful example of a builder in Luke 14:28-30. He asks, who would intend to build a tower without first sitting down to count the cost? If you lay the foundation but are unable to finish, those who see it will mock you, saying you began to build but could not complete the task.
Discipleship requires careful consideration. We must evaluate whether we are truly willing to commit fully to Christ, knowing that the path may lead to:
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Personal trials and tribulations
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Persecution from the world
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Living a life that is completely counter-culture
Jesus is not looking for perfect people, but He is looking for willing vessels—vessels He can work through and for. In these times, a majority of believers may not be prepared for what this walk truly looks like because they haven’t counted the cost.
The Ultimate Priority: Christ Over Everything
The cost of discipleship often touches our most intimate relationships. Matthew 10:37-39 provides a challenging standard: “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
This doesn’t mean we stop loving our families, but it means our loyalty to God must be supreme. Many believers struggle because they put God in a second position to accommodate a relationship—whether it be with parents, children, or romantic partners. When we allow others to lead us away from the path of Christ rather than us leading them toward Him, we have lost sight of our primary calling.
Key Insight: If you find your life, you shall lose it; but if you lose your life for His sake, you shall find it. The journey is difficult, but the reward is eternal.
Internal Obstacles and Divided Loyalties
One of the greatest hurdles to true discipleship is the issue of divided loyalties. The Bible is clear that no man can serve two masters. You will eventually hate one and love the other. Specifically, Jesus warns against the spirit of Mammon.
The Danger of Materialism
While money itself is not evil, the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Materialism and worldly desires make us “spiritual lazy.” We become so enamored with “stuff” because it makes us feel good, and the enemy uses that attraction to distract us from souls. There is nothing more important to God than souls—people being saved, set free, and delivered.
The Gift vs. The Anointing
We must also be wary of the difference between a spiritual gift and the true anointing of God. In Matthew 7:22-24, Jesus warns that many will say on that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name cast out devils?”Yet, He will profess to them, “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”
You can have a gift for speaking or a gift for prayer, but the anointing is what breaks the yoke of bondage. A gift can be learned or practiced, but the anointing comes from a life built on the Rock—a life of true discipleship and obedience.
Key Takeaways for the Modern Disciple
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Self-Examination: Reflect on your life and identify areas where you have been unwilling to pay the cost. Ask God to reveal where your loyalties are divided.
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Prioritize the Anointing: Don’t settle for “acting” in a gift. Seek the true anointing that comes from a deep, submissive relationship with Christ.
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Value Souls Over Stuff: Guard your heart against the love of money and the distractions of material success. Focus on the mission of the Gospel.
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Build on the Rock: Discipleship isn’t just hearing the words of Jesus; it is doing them. This is the only way to build a house that stands when the storms come.
The Reward of the Journey
While the cost of discipleship is high, the reward is incomparable. In Matthew 19:29, Jesus promises that everyone who has forsaken houses, family, or lands for His sake shall receive a hundredfold and inherit everlasting life.
The journey may be difficult, and you may have to walk away from certain relationships or comforts, but the blessings of God far outweigh any sacrifice. We are promised not only eternal life but an abundant life in the Spirit here and now. Don’t be a “spiritual lazy” believer. Count the cost, take up your cross, and follow Him with your whole heart.
Conclusion
Following Jesus is the most challenging and rewarding decision you will ever make. It requires us to move past “American Christianity”—which often tries to fit Jesus into a comfortable lifestyle—and move toward a biblical Christianity that loses its life for the sake of the Gospel. Examine your foundations today. Are you building on the rock of obedience, or the sand of convenience? The cost is great, but the Savior is worth it.
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