Counting the Cost?

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:8)

It’s so easy to get into something without understanding the full implications.  We do it all the time. Someone asks, “Can you help?” and we quickly say “Yes.”  But only hours into the project we realize that this effort will take much more energy and time than we are able to give it.

This can happen for many reasons.  Sometimes we’re duped into thinking that it is easier than it really is; other times we simply don’t ask the right questions; and still other times we are overly optimistic about our ability to commit.  No matter what the reason, we find ourselves in a position of going back on our word and leaving a ministry task unfinished.

Jesus was always clear about the cost.  He turned away countless people from service by making the cost of following Him blatantly clear.  He didn’t do this because He was mean or unwilling to help people grow into their service.  Instead, He wanted people to consider the true cost of their service. Do we do the same in our outreach efforts?  So many times we are so desperate for new volunteers that we try to market the opportunity and make it as palatable as possible.  Are we doing these new servants any favors?  Are we helping them to count the cost in their service?

Suppose you learned that you had been given an all-expense-paid condo on a beach in Tahiti, complete with airfare, a car, food, and a maid.  You could brag about your new lifestyle, plan for it, and dream about it.  But until you pack up and leave your current home, the new life is never really yours.  You cannot live in Tahiti and your current hometown at the same time.  

Many people approach Christianity the same way.  They love the idea of eternal life, escaping hell, and having Jesus at their beck and call.  But they are not willing to leave the life they now live. Their desires, lifestyle, and sinful habits are too precious to them. Their lives may exhibit a token change, starting to attend church or giving up a major sin, but they want to retain ownership of everything else. 

We cannot earn salvation by lifestyle change or any other good deed. (See Ephesians 2:8-9)  But when we choose to follow Christ, we are releasing control of our lives.  If we are going to be disciples of Christ, we must first count the cost of following Him.

 Are you willing to follow God even though the road may be long and hard?