The true cost of discipleship…

“25Large crowds were now traveling with Jesus, and He turned and said to them, 26“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple. 27And whoever does not carry his cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple.

28Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? 29Otherwise, if he lays the foundation and is unable to finish the work, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, ‘This man could not finish what he started to build.’

31Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.

33In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14

Last night I was meeting with some brothers in the faith and the subject of discussion turned to Luke 14 and the “cost of discipleship”.

I’ve heard this passage shared a lot over the years. Typically it’s heard as a call to a serious devotion to Christ and his teaching, an admonition to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…”

But I want to share with you what I shared with these men.

Heed Christ’s admonition. Do it. Count the cost.

Take what you have, that is, your time, talents, treasure, your abilities, your commitment, your resolve, your steadfast obedience to Jesus and his commands, your charity for others, your boldness to proclaim Jesus Christ and him crucified to a lost and dying world, your ability to love God with all your heart and to love others as yourself. Take all that you have and are and add it up.

Now this is the part where you’ll have to be honest with yourself.

Do you have what it takes to build the house?

…

After a careful accounting all men everywhere should come to the same staggering conclusion…

I can’t do this.

I’m not good enough. I’m not knowledgeable enough. I’m not strong enough. I’m not committed enough. I’m not brave enough. I’m not loving enough.

I… I, am not enough. I can’t build this house.

Then with this in hand I want you to look up and set your eyes on the empty cross and know this…

Jesus can, is and will build the house.

“1“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” – John 14

“9But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” – 2 Corinthians 12

Take your eyes off yourself friends. You, will only let You down.

Set your eyes upon Jesus. Trust in him to do his good work and to bring it to completion. He is mighty to save and secure you. Christ will finish what he started. I guarantee it.

And when you go to Philippians and read Paul’s encouragement to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…” read the next line…

“…for it is GOD who WORKS in you, both to WILL and to WORK for HIS good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:12-13

Now recall the last line of the passage from Luke 14:

“33In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple.”

So do it. Give up. Give up everything that you have. All confidence in yourself and your ability, your commitment, your resolve, your steadfastness, your resolution, your courage, your imperfect love…

and trust in Jesus to FINISH what HE STARTED. And he will.

“6And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

Grace and peace to you in Jesus’ name!