The Cost

While salvation is a free gift, accepting Jesus Christ comes with a cost. Jesus never promised an easy life to His followers. Instead, He called us to count the cost of discipleship before making a decision to follow Him. In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus clearly teaches that anyone who wants to follow Him must be willing to give up everything, even family, comfort, and personal desires.

To follow Christ is to surrender control of your life to Him. It means dying to your old self and embracing a new identity rooted in obedience and righteousness. Jesus said, "Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:27). This is not meant to discourage us, but to show the seriousness of the decision. Following Jesus means choosing Him above all else, even when it’s difficult.

The cost may include persecution, rejection, or sacrifice of certain relationships or habits. Yet, what we gain in Christ far outweighs what we leave behind. We receive peace with God, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the hope of eternal life.