Count the cost

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:28,33 ESV

Jesus warned His potential followers to count the cost, before making a commitment they weren’t ready to follow through on. The decision to follow Jesus is not one to be taken lightly. To follow Jesus is to do what he does.

Jesus gave His life to serve His Father and do His will. When we claim to be a follower of Christ we are claiming to serve God and do His will. Following Jesus is not simply joining a group that makes you feel good about yourself.

Jesus said that if you want to follow Him you must renounce all that you have. How many of us have truly done that? Think of Jesus apostles, they left everything and everyone to follow Him. Every one of Jesus apostles gave their lives to serve God and do His will. The average Christian does not believe that is what the “average” christian is called to do.

Do we truly believe that Jesus said something that He didn’t mean? I don’t think so. My friend Scott didn’t think so. He left everything to follow in the steps of Jesus. He believed that he was called to bring the gospel to everyone, everywhere.

So today, let’s ask ourselves do we believe what Jesus said concerning following Him? What have we given up in our lives to follow Jesus, or have they really not changed at all. Are we clinging to the life we have and  not doing much to reach out to the world around us?

© 2013 Leo J. Woodman