What Is Christ Costing You?

Following Jesus Christ comes at a cost. The crucial question is: have you counted that cost? Jesus Himself said, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30).

A genuine call to follow Christ will inevitably require sacrifice. Each of us must determine whether the reward is worth the price. The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:16-22 provides a poignant example. He desired eternal life but ultimately chose his earthly possessions over following Jesus, demonstrating that he considered the cost too high: "Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

I can personally attest to the cost of following Jesus. It demands a daily surrender to His will and a consistent denial of self as we take up our crosses daily. “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’” (Luke 9:23).

This is not a one-time decision but a continuous, conscious choice to say “no” to our desires that conflict with His will and “yes” to His plans, regardless of the consequences. Sometimes the cost may seem light, but at other times, it may feel as though we are giving up everything, even our lives.“Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39).

I recall the old saying among believers: “There are some places I used to go that I don’t go anymore.” While this holds true, I also find it resonates with me slightly differently. There are some places I want to go and things I want to do, but I know I shouldn’t. What prevents me from pursuing those paths is the grace of God and the awareness of my calling.

Paul tells us to walk worthy of the calling we have received: "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” (Ephesians 4:1).

This calling serves as a constant reminder that Jesus has called me—and all who choose to follow Him—to walk the narrow road that leads to life: "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14).

The old hymn says; “There are some things I may not know, there are some places I cannot go, but I am sure of this one thing: that God is real, yes, I can feel Him in my soul.” I pray that this becomes your heartfelt testimony as well. May you count the cost of following Christ and find that He is worth it all.

Devotional by ~ Rev. Feltus C. Frost