The Cost….
Thursday, January 21, 2021.
Each year I read through a book recommended as a “must” annual read for all pastors by the late Pastor Chuck Smith. The title of the book is Foxe’s Book of Martyrs. It details the persecution of the early Christians and gives us a very sobering knowledge of what it costs to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
For the western church there has not been ‘much of a cost’, in comparison to those in other parts of the world who today face constant persecution and death, simply because they are followers of Jesus Christ.
I think 2021 will be a year that many will find being a Christian, even in Australia, will come at a far greater cost than ever before!
The problem that has infiltrated the church is that there has sadly been a cheapening of God’s grace. Whilst grace is free, it is NOT and never has been cheap. It came at the cost of the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ and His death on the cross at Calvary after ridicule, a corrupt trial, a merciless flogging and a cruel death by crucifixion.
As I write these very words, any thought of casualness is driven from my mind by the mere brutality and cruelty of our Saviour’s death. How has the church moved into its current position whereby church attendees have become increasingly casual and ignorant in their worship and serving of Jesus Christ?
G Campbell Morgan made a statement that fits today’s dilemma – “…..be very suspicious of the preacher or teacher who tells you that the religious life is simple and easy.”
The fact of the matter is that Jesus Christ insisted from the beginning to the end of His earthly ministry on the fact that following Him, is costly!
In chapter 14 of the gospel of Luke, Jesus says three times (3), “..cannot be My disciple…”
Hear His connecting words, Luk 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Luk 14:33 “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Luk 14:27 “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.
Jesus is saying, anyone who follows Him can have nothing that will conflict with their loyalty to Him!
We as the church of Jesus Christ must get back to the understanding that following Jesus Christ is strenuous, sever and costly.
We as disciples of Christ today cannot play with our relationship with Him and at the same time drift through the world and never find ourselves serving Him and serving others!
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.