Last updated on December 6th, 2024 at 02:00 pm
We all love the idea of winning. We celebrate the success stories, the miracles, the breakthroughs, and the blessings that come with following Christ. But here’s a question for you: Did you check the price? Have you really understood price of following Christ?
When we first come to Christ, we are often captivated by His love, His grace, and the promise of eternal life. But as we walk with Him, we start to realise that the journey isn’t always easy. Following Christ involves more than just receiving His gifts – it also means embracing His challenges, facing opposition, and carrying a cross.
In this post, we’ll explore what it truly means to follow Christ and why it’s worth the price. But first, let’s start with a reality check.
The Cost of Discipleship
Jesus Himself posed a powerful question:
Luke 14:28-30 “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.’”
What Jesus is getting at here is clear: being His disciple isn’t a decision to take lightly. It’s not like buying a new gadget or signing up for a casual hobby. It’s more like buying a house or starting a business—you need to count the cost first. This isn’t about deterring you from following Him; it’s about making sure you understand what it truly involves.
In fact, Jesus goes on to explain:
Luke 14:33, “In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
Ouch, right? This is serious. Following Jesus is not just about Sunday worship, attending Bible study, and receiving His blessings. It requires sacrifice, commitment, and sometimes, suffering.
What Does It Mean to Carry Your Cross?
The phrase “carry your cross” is something we hear often in the church, but what does it really mean? Jesus didn’t just carry any cross – He carried His own. The cross was a symbol of suffering, rejection, and death. When He asked His followers to take up their cross, He wasn’t asking them to carry a physical object, but to embrace the cost of following Him – to embrace suffering, sacrifice, and even death to self.
Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
This is where the rubber meets the road. To truly follow Christ, we must deny our own desires, our own plans, and our own will. We are called to surrender ourselves to His greater plan.
Denying ourselves doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the good things in life, but it does mean we live for something greater than our own comfort or success. Our cross represents the daily choices to put God first, even when it costs us.
The Price of Following Christ
We often hear that we’re “chosen” or “called” by God. These words are wonderful, but we need to understand what being called really entails. Being called by God means stepping out of our comfort zones, stepping away from what we know, and embracing the unknown. It’s answering the call to follow Him with all our heart, even when it’s hard.
Just look at the early disciples – Peter, James, and John were fishermen. They had a business, a family, a life they knew. But when Jesus called them, they dropped their nets and followed Him. They didn’t know what the journey would hold. They didn’t know they’d be persecuted, rejected, or even martyred for their faith. But they counted the cost and chose to follow anyway.
Luke 5:11, “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”
Can you imagine? Leaving everything behind—their security, their income, their family relationships – to follow someone they had just met? That’s the price of being called. And, just like the disciples, we too are called to follow Jesus, not knowing exactly what lies ahead, but trusting that He is worth it.
Sacrifices You Will Have to Make
Following Christ requires sacrifice, and that’s not always an easy thing to hear. Some of us may have to give up relationships, careers, or dreams that don’t align with His will. Others may have to endure mockery, rejection, or persecution from those who don’t understand our faith.
Matthew 10:37-39, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
Now, this isn’t a call to hate our families or abandon our responsibilities. It’s about prioritising Christ above everything else. Our relationship with Him must be first and foremost. Sometimes, this means making hard decisions to follow His will, even when it’s inconvenient or painful. It may even cost us relationships, status, or opportunities. But Jesus promises that “whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” The reward far outweighs the cost.
The Good News: It’s Worth It!
But here’s the best part: as much as there is a price to following Christ, there is also an incredible reward. The sacrifice, the suffering, and the denial of self are not in vain. Jesus Himself said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10).
Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Following Christ is not easy, but the glory that awaits us is beyond anything we can imagine. The price is high, but the prize is higher.
Encouragement for the Journey Ahead
So, let me encourage you today. If you’re in the middle of your journey with Christ and it feels difficult, remember that you’re not alone. Many have walked this path before you. The cost is high, but the reward is greater. God will give you the strength you need to carry your cross. Don’t let temporary struggles make you lose sight of the eternal prize.
If you’re just beginning to follow Christ, know that the road will not always be smooth, but it will be worth it. Don’t be surprised when the challenges come. Instead, take them as part of the journey, knowing that Jesus has already gone before you and will walk with you every step of the way.
Yes, the price is real, but the reward is eternal. Keep pressing forward, and remember the words of Jesus:
Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
The price of following Christ is high, but the rest He offers is worth every sacrifice. Keep going. Your reward is waiting.
Now check out the Lessons Learned from Pliable in Pilgrim Progress or read this post instead: Understanding church hurts.
