27/09/2018
IS THERE A “COST” TO FOLLOWING JESUS.
The Bible teaches very clearly that we were bought with a great price. We didn’t buy Jesus; He bought us. He paid for me in full and redeemed my life from destruction.
by abrahamloveministry
A well-known preacher made this comment, “If you don’t realize that there is a ‘cost’ to following Jesus, then you have heard American Christianity.”
While some may see his comment as a statement of deep commitment and consecration, I don’t. Sadly, it violates the reality of the truth of the gospel. It places the focus on man’s efforts, not on what Christ has accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection for mankind.
Let's take a look at what scripture actually has to say on this subject. First off, we see that salvation is a free gift from God, not a reward or sacrifice for good behavior. Faith itself is defined as a rest. Believers in Christ have been freely given everything that pertains to life and godliness. The Bible teaches very clearly that we were bought with a great price. We didn't buy Jesus; He bought us. He paid for me in full and redeemed my life from destruction.
The word “ransom”is also used to describe what the cross accomplished for all of humanity. So what is there that requires me to pay a “cost”? Personally, the sacrifices I have made for the gospel come from a response to the love God has for me, which He poured so richly into my heart when I first believed. The disciplines in my life are a result of His grace working in my heart. His joy is my strength and, as Paul said, even in my weakness, He is strong on my behalf. For me to boast or take credit for all that God has done in my life is pride solidly rooted in self-righteousness. How can I take any credit for what He has freely given me to live for Him?
My faith comes from His Word. He even gave me the same Holy Spirit Jesus had as a gift who raised Him from the dead and enabled Him to obey His Father. How could I possibly think that anything I could do or sacrifice would earn me the right to follow God?
The fruit of the Spirit, which is love, is His expression and the reality of Him in my life. It comes from my confidence in God's character, faithfulness, and goodness toward me. It isn’t some divine bargaining chip I use to prove my worth or value to God.
The work of the cross has made me holy and acceptable to God, it isn't my work, sacrifices or even my suffering, Jesus did it all! He alone is my life and worthy of all praise. As Paul said, there remains nothing more to do, no more sacrifices. Jesus did it all!
Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer for wanting to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit. Is this any different from telling people that they must pay a price to follow Jesus? What is it one has to pay that Jesus didn’t pay? Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” He tells the Pharisees that He will use mercy to bring sinners to repentance. So it's His mercy that causes people to turn and follow God, not any sacrifice they have made.
So I strongly disagree with the well-known preacher because the reason I follow Christ has nothing at all to do with any sacrifice, suffering or personal discipline I have done to “pay a price.” But it has everything to do with trusting totally and completely in the sacrifice of God's Son, the price Jesus paid, and His free gifts of salvation, righteousness, and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables and empowers me through His love, grace, and mercy to want to follow Him and live a life pleasing to the One who has loved me perfectly.
For these reasons, I, like Paul, cannot boast of my own strength or abilities. Rather, I recognize and give all glory and honor to God for the great work He has done in my life. I refuse to boast, take credit or even suggest that my sacrifices, efforts or disciplines have earned me any right at all to follow Jesus. The reason I follow and live for Him is solely and solidly rooted in“ALL” He has done for me! The truth is without all that Jesus has done and freely given to me, I would or could never follow Him. That is why He deserves “ALL” the glory!
Anytime we believe that our sacrifices have earned us any blessings from God, and we exalt our own, we end up cheapening the sacrifice Jesus made. If we truly understand how great and valuable Christ's sacrifice was, we wouldn't dare cheapen it by adding our own.
When I look at the sacrifice Jesus made for me, why would I ever want to devalue or diminish it by comparing it to mine?