Counting the Cost

Are you SURE you're a Christian?

A teen who joined us for a missions trip a few years ago recently quoted on facebook,

"its time to be concerned with a generation whose 

christianity doesn't cost them anything."

 Her quote really got me thinking.  Jesus told us we'll have to "count the cost".  If we're asking, "what cost?" then it may be time to question our true allegiance.  

Luke 24:33

 "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."

I'm not sure Jesus could have made that more clear.   I used to think that just meant the 12 disciples but more and more I'm realizing that he's talking to anyone who wants to follow him.  From the moment he uttered the words until He returns.

We gave our puppy away in the fall since we knew we couldn't take care of him in the way he needed.  When we gave him away, we no longer controlled his environment, no longer trained him, we no longer have a say in the way he's raised.  The reason we gave him to the people we did is that we trust that family will give him a better life than we ever could have.  If I were going over to their house to constantly see the puppy and start telling them things they should train him for, then I would be trying to take back control of something I gave up- which means I never truly gave him up in the first place.

So did you truly give your life to Christ?  The sinner's prayer is simply a declaration of the actions you're promising to follow through with.  Did you follow through?  Are you following through?  Or are you going back on your promise and taking back control of your life.  It is a constant battle and it is a constant release of power back to Christ everyday, but that's what it takes to be His disciple.  And in order to have the strength and even the desire to give it back to God everyday, I find I must spend time with Him daily to renew that strength and desire.

In what ways are you currently serving Christ?

This is a deep conviction to me that I know I struggle releasing power I think I hold on my life, and it's making me scared for some that don't believe Christianity has a cost.  I certainly don't know anyone's heart the way God does and He's the only one who knows if you're willing to give up everything, but it's certainly worth the moment to take a step back, spend some time with God, and ask Him if you are truly following Him.  

There absolutely is a cost to following Christ, but the blessings are "more than we can ask or imagine" Ephesians 3:20