Which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost? – Luke 14:28
Nearly everyone in the United States has received an offer for a credit card with a low introductory interest rate. The bold, colorful announcement sounds good when you first read it, but then you take a look at the fine print and find out that the low rate is only effective for the first three months you use it, and then it rises dramatically. Some consumers have little resistance to the big, beautiful offer, and few may stop to consider what interest on purchases will truly cost.
Following Jesus has its costs—but there is no fine print! He has spelled it out for you in His Word.
John Piper wrote, “Authentic discipleship may exact from you the highest price relationally and the highest price physically.”
Jesus asks that you put Him before everything else. As the apostle Paul tells you, “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).
In Matthew 16, Jesus tells His disciples that if anyone wishes to follow Him, he must deny himself, and take up his cross.
As you deny your old self and renew your mind with His truth, God transforms you into His new creation in Christ. When you lay down your life and pick up your cross, you demonstrate your willingness to be and do whatever He desires and go wherever He leads you.
Submission to His will becomes your life pattern. Jesus also reminds you that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30), and the rewards of staying close to Him are paid in eternity.
God’s way for you is always for your good and His glory. Thank Him for how He leads you each day.
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