Counting the Cost: Are You Ready to Follow Jesus?
Counting the Cost: Are You Ready to Follow Jesus?
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves at a crossroads. We claim to love Jesus and want to follow Him, but are we truly ready to count the cost of discipleship? This question challenges us to examine our hearts and motivations as we consider what it means to be a true follower of Christ.
The story of the scribe in Matthew 8:19-20 serves as a powerful reminder of this reality. A man approaches Jesus, declaring his willingness to follow Him wherever He goes. Jesus' response is both striking and sobering: "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." In essence, Jesus is asking this eager follower, "Have you counted up the cost?"
This encounter begs us to consider: What does it truly cost to follow Christ? Are we prepared to give up our comforts, our plans, and even our relationships for the sake of the Gospel? Luke 14:25-33 further emphasizes this point, with Jesus stating that anyone who does not give up everything cannot be His disciple. These words may seem harsh, but they reveal the depth of commitment required to truly follow Jesus.
In our modern world, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of comfort and success. We may attend church regularly, sing worship songs, and even volunteer for ministry activities. But are we truly willing to sacrifice everything for Christ? The challenge is to move beyond surface-level faith and truly count the cost of discipleship.
This doesn't necessarily mean we must live in poverty or isolation. Rather, it's about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. It means being willing to step out of our comfort zones, to use our gifts and resources for His Kingdom, and to trust Him even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Consider the disciples in the boat during the storm (Matthew 8:23-27). They found themselves in a terrifying situation, with waves threatening to overtake their vessel. Yet Jesus was asleep, seemingly unconcerned. When they woke Him in panic, He responded, "Why are you so afraid, O you of little faith?" This story reminds us that following Jesus doesn't guarantee a life free from storms. However, it does promise that He is with us in the midst of them, calling us to greater faith and trust.
As we reflect on what it means to be a "scrappy church" - one that is willing to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ - we must ask ourselves some hard questions. Are we content with simply attending services, or are we willing to actively engage in the mission of God? Are we ready to step out into our communities, to serve the homeless, to visit those in nursing homes, to be a light in dark places?
It's easy to make excuses. We might say we're too busy, too tired, or not qualified enough. But the reality is, God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. When we step out in faith, trusting Him to work through us, amazing things can happen.
Moreover, we must be willing to let go of old hurts, prejudices, and comfort zones. The church is called to be a place of healing and transformation, but that process often requires us to confront our own wounds and biases. As we allow God to work in us, we become better equipped to minister to others who are hurting.
This journey of faith and sacrifice is not always easy. There will be times when we feel inadequate, scared, or overwhelmed. But that's precisely when we need to remember that our strength comes from Christ. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The call to follow Jesus is a call to adventure, to purpose, and to a life that makes an eternal difference. It's about being willing to give up our small ambitions for God's greater plan. It's about trusting Him even when we can't see the whole picture.
As we consider what it means to count the cost, let's challenge ourselves to go deeper in our faith. Here are some practical steps we can take:
1. Evaluate our priorities: Are there areas of our lives where we're holding back from God?
2. Step out in faith: Is there a ministry or service opportunity God's been nudging us towards?
3. Cultivate a heart of sacrifice: How can we use our resources (time, money, talents) more intentionally for God's Kingdom?
4. Embrace discomfort: Are we willing to engage with people or situations that push us out of our comfort zones for the sake of the Gospel?
5. Deepen our trust: How can we cultivate a deeper reliance on God in our daily lives?
Remember, the cost of following Jesus may be high, but the rewards are eternal. As we surrender our lives more fully to Him, we discover a purpose and fulfillment that far surpasses anything the world can offer.
In closing, let's reflect on the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." This death is not physical, but a death to self - our old ways, our selfish ambitions, our comfort-seeking nature. Yet in this death, we find true life - abundant, purposeful, and eternally significant.
Are you ready to count the cost? The journey of following Jesus wholeheartedly is challenging, but it's also the most rewarding adventure we could ever embark upon. Let's step out in faith, trusting that as we give our all to Him, He will work in and through us in ways we never imagined possible.
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves at a crossroads. We claim to love Jesus and want to follow Him, but are we truly ready to count the cost of discipleship? This question challenges us to examine our hearts and motivations as we consider what it means to be a true follower of Christ.
The story of the scribe in Matthew 8:19-20 serves as a powerful reminder of this reality. A man approaches Jesus, declaring his willingness to follow Him wherever He goes. Jesus' response is both striking and sobering: "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." In essence, Jesus is asking this eager follower, "Have you counted up the cost?"
This encounter begs us to consider: What does it truly cost to follow Christ? Are we prepared to give up our comforts, our plans, and even our relationships for the sake of the Gospel? Luke 14:25-33 further emphasizes this point, with Jesus stating that anyone who does not give up everything cannot be His disciple. These words may seem harsh, but they reveal the depth of commitment required to truly follow Jesus.
In our modern world, it's easy to get caught up in the pursuit of comfort and success. We may attend church regularly, sing worship songs, and even volunteer for ministry activities. But are we truly willing to sacrifice everything for Christ? The challenge is to move beyond surface-level faith and truly count the cost of discipleship.
This doesn't necessarily mean we must live in poverty or isolation. Rather, it's about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. It means being willing to step out of our comfort zones, to use our gifts and resources for His Kingdom, and to trust Him even when the path ahead seems uncertain.
Consider the disciples in the boat during the storm (Matthew 8:23-27). They found themselves in a terrifying situation, with waves threatening to overtake their vessel. Yet Jesus was asleep, seemingly unconcerned. When they woke Him in panic, He responded, "Why are you so afraid, O you of little faith?" This story reminds us that following Jesus doesn't guarantee a life free from storms. However, it does promise that He is with us in the midst of them, calling us to greater faith and trust.
As we reflect on what it means to be a "scrappy church" - one that is willing to do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ - we must ask ourselves some hard questions. Are we content with simply attending services, or are we willing to actively engage in the mission of God? Are we ready to step out into our communities, to serve the homeless, to visit those in nursing homes, to be a light in dark places?
It's easy to make excuses. We might say we're too busy, too tired, or not qualified enough. But the reality is, God doesn't call the equipped; He equips the called. When we step out in faith, trusting Him to work through us, amazing things can happen.
Moreover, we must be willing to let go of old hurts, prejudices, and comfort zones. The church is called to be a place of healing and transformation, but that process often requires us to confront our own wounds and biases. As we allow God to work in us, we become better equipped to minister to others who are hurting.
This journey of faith and sacrifice is not always easy. There will be times when we feel inadequate, scared, or overwhelmed. But that's precisely when we need to remember that our strength comes from Christ. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, "When I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).
The call to follow Jesus is a call to adventure, to purpose, and to a life that makes an eternal difference. It's about being willing to give up our small ambitions for God's greater plan. It's about trusting Him even when we can't see the whole picture.
As we consider what it means to count the cost, let's challenge ourselves to go deeper in our faith. Here are some practical steps we can take:
1. Evaluate our priorities: Are there areas of our lives where we're holding back from God?
2. Step out in faith: Is there a ministry or service opportunity God's been nudging us towards?
3. Cultivate a heart of sacrifice: How can we use our resources (time, money, talents) more intentionally for God's Kingdom?
4. Embrace discomfort: Are we willing to engage with people or situations that push us out of our comfort zones for the sake of the Gospel?
5. Deepen our trust: How can we cultivate a deeper reliance on God in our daily lives?
Remember, the cost of following Jesus may be high, but the rewards are eternal. As we surrender our lives more fully to Him, we discover a purpose and fulfillment that far surpasses anything the world can offer.
In closing, let's reflect on the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." This death is not physical, but a death to self - our old ways, our selfish ambitions, our comfort-seeking nature. Yet in this death, we find true life - abundant, purposeful, and eternally significant.
Are you ready to count the cost? The journey of following Jesus wholeheartedly is challenging, but it's also the most rewarding adventure we could ever embark upon. Let's step out in faith, trusting that as we give our all to Him, He will work in and through us in ways we never imagined possible.
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