"Don't begin until you count the cost."
Luke 14:28
Luke 14:28
My Take Away
Something Old:
The benefits of being one of Christ's disciples far out way the costs.
Benefits
- Eternal life, rich and satisfying
- Unconditional love and unlimited forgiveness
- Unwavering strength whenever we need it
- Boundless mercy and infinite compassion
There is joy in the presence of God's angels when I repent.
Lazarus was referred to as Jesus' very dear friend.
Something to Do:
Be ready to part with my dearest relations and friends, with the greatest enjoyment of life and with life itself. (John Gill) This is easier to write than it is to do.
13 Comments:
I thought this a very interesting statement: "Don't begin until you count the cost." When I became a Christian, there was no waiting, no couting, no delay; it didn't matter the cost, it didn't matter how goofy I looked, nothing mattered except saying 'Yes' to Jesus now that I finally understood. The understanding of what He did for me allowed for nothing less than complete surrender and total gratefulness. I still have many issues with what I'm supposed to do and make lots of mistakes, but when push comes to shove, I hope I'll always stand up for Him. Sometimes I think that's easier when it's a big obvious, even though hard, choice than when it's responding to the still, small voice that others might not hear.
The parable today about giving away your worldly goods and using them to make friends here on earth was a bit confusing to me today. It almost sounded like buying friendship. I get Jesus' point about how we don't know how to survive in this crazy cutthroat world as well as most worldly people, and that's certainly true of me, but I'm going to be thinking about that one a lot today.
It's to be sunny and 82 here today - not very fall-ish! Hope you all have beautiful days wherever you are!
Good morning, GIGs,
I have found a big benefit of my walk with the Lord is feeling undivided. I now only care about God's opinion of my actions, motivations and values. I don't look to others for validation; I only look upwards. Now THAT is the true meaning of FREE!
One thing that has surprised me in the New Testament is that Jesus is often harsh, and today that came through loud and clear with the use of the word "hate", which, as Wendy pointed out, means hate. Not a word you would think Jesus would use, but you know what? I get it!
Have a blessed, 4:8 day all. Enjoy your balmy weather, Amy!
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Sweet friend, I had so much I wanted to comment on after reading todays scripture, then I came on here and listened to your video, and there's just so much more I want to share. I will try and keep my thoughts as brief as possible.
I loved what you highlighted about the joy in God's presence when one sinner repents. I had always thought of that just in terms of repentance for salvation, but not about confessing of sin after becomimg a child of God.
My mind also went to the prodigal's brother today. I know I sometimes feel neglected in faithful service. You continue to do all the 'right' things unnoticed and uncelebrated. I could identify with his feelings even if they weren't the best response. :)
About Lazarus being Christ's "dear friend". Other translations say, "the one you love is sick". I was thinking that could be written about any one of us as well. We are "dear friends" of Christ and He loves us.
Counting the cost. Wow...what you shared in regards to what we need to be willing to surrender. I am struggling with the letting go of two of those things right now. I'll be honest, so far I have not been able to give them up. I want to keep justifying and making excuses, pretending they have not taken on the importance that they have in my life....yet my actions speak truth. I don't know that I've ever felt the pull to the temptation to hold on to anything like I have these two areas, and I know simply identifying the intense struggle it is to abandon them, that alone shows the place of prominence they have taken in my life. The thought of leaving them behind feels unbearable...yet...look what we read today...without the letting go I can't be a true disciple. *ouch*
So much of this fell so perfectly in line with the Beth Moore DVD teaching I watched at our last Bible study. We are doing "The Inheritance". Beth shared that our "benefits" in being a child of God involve property, people and His presence. As an heiress, God's Word tells me that I am not lacking in any good thing, and I am rich in Christ Jesus. I am a co-heir with Christ.
So often we become possessive of our possessions. Constantly trying to hold on to something we don't even own. Possessiveness stems from insecurity. If we truly recognized and received who we are in Christ...all that is ours...we would not feel insecure.
Today I long to surrender my propensity to possessiveness and trust in all that is mine in Christ,
Joy
Good Morning!
I too underlined "count the cost". Yesterday, I heard a speaker talk about a servant or a soldier and how they leave everything when entering the battle (bills, jobs, pregnant wives, etc). He may not ask us to leave those but it is with the same willingness that we must follow Him. Please Lord, help me (us) to be willing to put You first, the absolute top of out priorities!
Please pray for my Mom, Sisters and Sister-In-Laws. I offered to buy them Bibles for Christmas and sent the link so they could watch the video yesterday. The hope is that they would join us next year. I received one yes and three no responses so far. I am so excited about the yes and deeply aching for the no responses! There are seven more to respond and God could change the other one's hearts! Thank you!
D
Wendy – Thank you for teaching us today! I, too loved the thought of the angels receiving joy when we repent!
Today, we see so clearly how valuable sinners are to God! Jesus told three stories, one about a lost sheep (Luke 15:4-7), another about a lost coin (vs. 8-10) and lastly a lost son (vs. 11-32). Each parable shows the heartbreak of losing, the effort of searching, and the joy of finding something of great worth. These stories leave a visual picture in our mind of God – a loving Father, who rejoices over every lost soul who is found.
Those of us who are found, - should spend our time seeking the lost. Furthering his kingdom. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Benefits of being a disciple: Aaahh, to be filled to the brim with His Holy Spirit! Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control! The one that comes to my mind the most, that has truly been my benefit is peace. Living in peace no matter what comes my way!
Praying that each one of us today receives a revelation from God as we read his word, and hear his voice. Lori
The story of the prodigal son fills me with tears of joy. "...for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found." I will always treasure this story in my heart.
The verses of Lk 17:9-10 were new to me. I am a child of God, but I am not entitled. I am an unworthy servant, obligated to my duty of obedience. The benefits of discipleship are from His abundance of love, not from anything I deserve or earn.
Peace is a benefit I can receive. As a disciple of Jesus I can leave my fears and concerns at His feet, just as Mary fell at His feet believing that Jesus had the power over the life of her brother Lazarus. If I have faith and obedience to God's will, He will care for my needs, and I can release my fears to Him and feel peace.
Blessings,
Jacque
Wendy, I too stopped at Count the Cost. I also wondered about the hate but there is a definite division among family and friends when they are serving different masters. I have counted the cost and know that IT IS WORTH IT ALL. The one benefit you didn't mention but others have is PEACE. In His strength there is also power to accomplish His will. Today I pray that I will lay it all down for Him, pick up my cross and be His disciple. Blessings. Darlene
The cost of being Jesus’ disciple
Luke 14:25-33
"What does it cost to be a follower of Christ? Some people seem to begin well, but then turn away. They receive the Word of God with joy, but then after a few years fall away. They have not thought about what it costs to be Jesus’ disciple. Jesus said that the gate to life is narrow, and the cross comes before the crown.
What does it cost to follow Jesus?
Jesus died on the cross to save us. We are bought with a price. Jesus gave Himself for us (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Timothy 2:6).
What must we give up if we want to follow Christ? It is more than just going to church on Sunday and trying to live a good life during the week. Jesus is telling the crowds that there must be self-denial and self-sacrifice. Jesus did not say “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to heaven.”
To follow Jesus means that there are battles to be fought, sacrifices to be made, and a cross to be carried. We don’t sit down in an easy chair and coast to heaven! We must count the cost. When we come to Jesus and put our faith in Him, our sins are forgiven and He gives us a new heart. But what does it cost to follow Jesus?
First, it will cost us our self-righteousness (see Luke 18:9-14). We must get rid of all our pride, thinking that our goodness will be enough. We are sinners who need God’s grace. We need the righteousness of Jesus. We are lost sheep and have left God’s path to follow our own. We must give up all trust in ourselves and trust in nothing but Jesus.
Second, it will cost us our sins. We must be willing to give up everything which does not please God. We must fight with sin and see it as a deadly enemy. We must hate all sin, even small ones. God tells us to give up our wicked ways (Isaiah 1:16). There are some sins that we do not want to get rid of, but we must give them up if we want to follow Jesus. Jesus will not receive us if we hold on to our sin.
Third, it will cost us our love of ease. Jesus says that we must carry our cross. No one likes trouble or hardship. But we cannot follow Jesus if we want a life of ease. In our spiritual life also, there is “no gain without pain.”
Fourth, it will cost us the favor and love of the world. We must be willing to face the scorn of others if we are going to please God. We must not be surprised when we are mocked and persecuted and lied about because we follow Jesus. People will hate us because we belong to Jesus. It is not easy when others accuse us of doing wrong or treat us unfairly. But we must remember that Jesus was despised and rejected (Isaiah 53:3). We cannot keep loving the world if we want to follow Jesus.
It costs much to follow Jesus. But it is worthy any cost to be saved. We should be willing to give up anything which stands between us and heaven. Faith that costs nothing is worth nothing. We cannot follow Jesus without a cross.
To be continued...
How to count the cost in the right way
Jesus was not trying to discourage those who were following Him. We need to count the cost carefully. But we must remember that if we count rightly, there is nothing to make us afraid of following Jesus. There are thing that should always remember as we count the cost. We must think about what we will have to give up and go through to follow Jesus. But we must also remember what the Bible says as we count the cost.
First, we must count and compare the profit and the loss of following Jesus. We will lose something in this world when we follow Jesus. But we will gain eternal salvation. Jesus said, “What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet lose your soul? (Mark 8:36)
Second, we must count and compare the praise and the insult that comes from following Jesus. We may be insulted by others, but we will have the praise of God. Insults may come from people, but God blesses us and we will have a great reward in heaven (Matthew 5:11-12).
Third, we must count and compare the friends and enemies we have from following Christ. Our enemies may try to hurt us, but we have the Lord Jesus as our friend and He is able to save us. No one can snatch us away from Him. Jesus tells us who to fear in Luke 12:5.
Fourth, we must count and compare this present life and the life to come. In this life we must watch and pray. We fight and struggle. But in the life to come there will be no sin. Satan will be bound. Our present troubles will seem very small compared to the glory that will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).
Fifth, we must count and compare the pleasures of sin and the joy of following Christ. The pleasures of this world are empty and don’t really satisfy. The joy that Jesus gives is solid and last forever. It does not depend on our circumstances. It does not go away even when we die. We receive a crown of glory that lasts forever. The joy of sinners is only temporary. But the peace Jesus gives lasts forever (John 14:27)
Sixth, we must count and compare the troubles that following Jesus brings and the troubles that await sinners when they die. Carrying our cross involves pain and self-denial. But that is nothing compared to the wrath that sinners will face one day. Jesus speaks of the fire that never goes out (Mark 9:48). Those who follow Christ will be comforted while sinners will face unending anguish and pain (Luke 16:25).
Finally, we must count and compare the number of those who turn from sin and follow Christ and the number of those who forsake Christ and return to the world. There are millions who follow Christ and enter the narrow way. But none who really enter the narrow way grow tired of it and return to the broad way that leads to destruction. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness. But the path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. (Proverbs 4:18-19)
Some people cannot make up their minds if it is worth while to follow Christ. The losses and gains, the advantages and disadvantages, the sorrows and the joys seem too much alike. They cannot count the cost correctly. Why can they not see clearly? Because they do not have faith. To count the cost rightly we must have faith in what Jesus has said.
...
Let us never forget what it cost for our salvation. Jesus left heaven and became man and suffered on the cross to pay our debt. Jesus tells us to make every effort to enter through the narrow door (Luke 13:24). Look at His cross. It may cost much to follow Jesus, but it pays. The way may seem hard. But one day we will see that all we have suffered is nothing compared to the joy of being with Jesus and knowing Him. We will wonder why we made so much of our cross. It may cost much to follow Jesus, but it is worth every sacrifice we make. Everything is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:4-10).
Excerpt from http://tinyurl.com/count-the-cost
Included in those benefits are the Lord's peace. His Peace that surpasses all understanding. Its absolutely amazing and such a gift.
Thank you Wendy for addressing Luke 14:25-26, "you must hate everyone else by comparison..." because I was struggling with that this morning. I consulted the Zondervan Bible Commentary and read, "...It is not that a man must detest his family, but they must take second place to the Lord in his affections."
I was thinking about the benefits of being a disciple and you had mentioned "strength" above and the other benefit I receive is "comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:4. The more of this life that I experience aka troubles, I am comforted by God and in turn can comfort others. He is amazing!
A benefit that I have received from being a disciple of Christ:
Liberty. A real feeling of freedom knowing my Lord and where I stand in His Kingdom.
Morgen
these comments blessed me today. peace, freedom, liberty-great benefits.
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