Discover His heart: He asks that we count the cost of following Him and loving Him more than any other
@ Luke 14
Within our cache of junk mail, we all have received the seemingly innocuous credit card offers. What a deal! Free annual fee, 0% interest for about two minutes followed by a monthly pint of blood and extortive interest rates. Well, somebody has to pay for it! We would be wise to count the cost of this incredible offer – some offers just are not what they appear to be.
On the other hand, we all have been offered a fantastic opportunity that is not only more than what it appears to be, but more than we can even imagine: free paid membership, life-long eligibility as per the agreement, including out-of-this-world dividends – literally. However, before we sign on the dotted line, it would be good to read all the print. There will be some dues to be paid as well as a commitment to the everything stipulation. In spite of this, the offer is miraculous, and there’s really nothing like it anywhere.
“If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison…carry your own cross and follow me…count the cost…giving up everything you own,” Jesus explained to the large crowd following Him that day. (26-33) While these requirements to His offer may seem difficult, this blog couldn’t begin to hold all the blessings that result from our acceptance of His offer – abundant life here on earth and eternal life in heaven, just to name a couple of them.
We can easily understand the examples Jesus gave of the builder, the king and the importance of counting the cost to follow Him. And because of the example of Jesus at Calvary, we can somewhat understand what it means to carry our own cross and the willingness to follow Him even to death. Many throughout history have followed Him to this very end, and others are walking this path today. Does He really require us to hate our families and friends? In comparison to our love and devotion to Him, it may appear that way at times.
The giving Him everything stipulation is a tangible, hardcore giving of all that we are, all that we ever will be, all that we have and all that we ever will have. The truth is that our everything could not be in better hands—He gives back to us what we need when we need it and how we need it. We couldn’t find a better life coach and financial planner anywhere! More importantly, He is our Creator, the One who knows us better than anyone else does and the One who knows our tomorrow.
Jesus desires that we count the cost of following Him so that our passion and enthusiasm is authentic and eternal. The offer is this: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) When counting the cost, how can we can we not consider His incredible offer!
Moving Forward: Today I renew my commitment to the cost of following Him, regardless of the path it takes. I’m yours, Lord, everything I am or ever hope to be, everything I have or ever hope to have. I love Him most.
Tomorrow @ Philippians 1-2
Phyllis Benigas 