The cost of discipleship

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

I recently read a quote pertaining to success in a man’s life. It stated, quite succinctly and very directly thusly: “If one would have success in his life, he must determine its cost – then pay it.” I wish I could remember who uttered those words to pay them tribute; however, their name escapes me at the moment. It would seem, however, they got their inspiration from Jesus.

In another passage, Jesus taught His disciples about those who would build a tower or of a commander going to war against an enemy force. Both must, first, establish the cost of the building project or military campaign, compare it to his resources, then decide before he embarks. To do otherwise would be to risk or lose both what he already has and any gain he might anticipate. Christ ends this second passage (found in Luke 14) with these words of exhortation: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

We Christians love to talk about the unconditional love of Jesus Christ. We pontificate upon our inability to qualify for His love, of how He first loved us, and of the free gift that is given to all who will receive. Today, however, I ask you to consider the cost (or the price) of the Blessing. While it is true that we were chosen before the foundation of the world to be God’s children, while it is also true the sacrifice for this relationship was paid long before mankind was aware of the need for such a sacrifice, and yes, praise God, while it is also true that this love is lavishly bestowed upon all who will reach out to Him and receive it, this is only the threshold through which we step on our journey as mighty and effective warriors – as kings and priests – in the kingdom of God. King David understood that sacrifices offered to God that cost him nothing would be as valueless on the altar before heaven. No cost counts as no sacrifice. Therefore no exercise or display of God’s grandest designs.

Abraham was listed as a good and godly man walking before God. He had even received the child of promise (Isaac) in anticipation of the divine promises to be received through this bloodline; yet, it wasn’t until he was commanded to place that very bloodline and promise in jeopardy upon the altar that God openly displayed and empowered those promises – to Abraham, to Isaac, and to us. The same is true of every godly example of greatness throughout scripture. Blood was shed, very costly sacrifices were offered, and the finality of the cost was established and paid before God opened the windows of heaven. Millions, perhaps billions, have walked in the sunshine of God’s love and basked in the joy of His salvation; however, FAR LESS have walked in the supremacy of His power upon this earth and caused so great change in the history of mankind.

In like manner, we honor the men and women of our armed forces who take an oath upon entering the service of our country to “defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic…” They deserve our honor, to be sure. Yet despite their initial oath, most live their days of conscription in relative peace. Far fewer go on to higher levels of service, of greater responsibility, risking ever-increasing amounts of sacrifice. Each level requires a higher standard of commitment and greater cost of leaving behind – a stripping away. A white-hat military police officer may, for example, be required to leave his or her family for a few hours while they perform patrol duties on a base. Ah, but a Seal Team member may be required to leave behind family and home for weeks or months at a time with no contact being allowed for the sake of their mission.

The same is true of us as Christians. We may sacrifice a few hours per week in the service of our local church bodies. We may sacrifice some family time in exchange for duties related to the youth programs at church, we may be called upon to attend certain board or committee meetings from time to time, etc. But for those who have sensed a higher calling – that of being a pastor, evangelist, prophet, etc – they have come to know that this demands a greater sacrifice to become effective in their service to God.

“What does this have to do with you and me?” you may ask. We have the privilege of living in the last days. According to Hebrews 11:40, we have been chosen to wrap up the entire message of salvation in God, to place a bow upon it, and to give it all a priceless value. This chapter would lend itself to say that without us Abraham’s faith, Moses’ leadership, Paul and Silas’ work for the kingdom, John’s suffering and vision on the Isle of Patmos – all of it will be left undone. We are they in the final leg of the relay race of God’s plan. The others have set us up for a sure victory. We presently enjoy a great advantage over the world, we have enjoyed the spoils of war up to this point, we enjoy (from our vantage point) a commanding overview from the sponsor’s box far above the crowd. But now we are called to position – to receive that baton and sprint the home stretch for a solid, sure victory. You and I, dear friend, have been enlisted in this race, this battle, this ongoing storyline of God’s redemption for the world. We have been given the best equipment for training, we have the best coaches, we have all we need to assure our standing on the podium. Nevertheless it comes with a price. Have we paid it?

With untold fortunes spent in the spreading of the gospel, with the highest-paid professional trainers (pastors, teachers, evangelists, prophets, and others), with the best printed materials in every language available to us – are we, therefore, masterpieces of athletic ability, are we Delta Force level trained and ready, or are we merely base-level privates who do what we are told and no more? Are we weak and flabby as Christians – just taking in the good things and not using all these resources as fuel for our elite training for the Final Days? There is a cost, my friend, for being in our position and I fear we are woefully lacking.

In recent days and weeks we have seen great strides made toward peace in the world. Conflicts are still ongoing, hunger and starvation are still a problem in the world, and nature itself seems to be writhing in pain as it awaits the revelation of the sons and daughters of God – yet there has been man-made progress. Now is our time to rise up as true believers in Jesus Christ and in the power of His message. Humanistic efforts can achieve measured success; however, we are now embarking upon a period of the supernatural such as the world has never seen. Soon the Beast will be revealed. We will know very quickly who the Antichrist is. The influence of Satan and his minions over this world will be released in ways we can’t even imagine. Are you ready?

Our key text today reveals the truth of your answer. Are you completely sold out to Christ, or are you just along for the party. We read that on the day of judgment there will be many who say, “Lord, Lord, didn’t we cast out demons, haven’t we healed the sick, etc, etc, in Your Name?” And what will His answer be? “Depart from me, ye workers of iniquity, for I never knew you.” To be honest with you, this passage frightens me as an ordained minister of the gospel, for I, too, have done many good things in the Name of Jesus Christ. All while playing footsie with the world. I’m ashamed to admit it, but it is so true. And I can say I know it to be true of many of my brothers and sisters in Christ. We have pinned on the name badge, we have entered our names on the rolls, and we have acted our part onstage – many to perfection. Yet it has been just that: a part.

Have we gone beyond our kindergarner-esque learning? Have we graduated boot-camp and stopped? Have we accepted the free gift from God, then lived our lives as entitled brats? If so, dear one, prepare to die in the days to come. You are only so much fodder for the gristmill of war. You pose no threat to our enemy, you offer nothing of great value to the conflict, your life will serve as the grease that keeps the wheels churning. You will have lived your life in vain. This is harsh, I know, but it is the bare truth. Oh sure, you may make it into heaven, but even in the world to come (Revelation 21-22) you will be general population, lab rats to repopulate the new heaven and new earth. But most of you will have made it.

We in these last days are called to rise up as mighty warriors, as kings and priests. We bow to no one but our Commander – Jesus Christ and Jehovah God. This is our calling as last-day saints. The trials that will soon descend upon us will strip away all but the supernatural power of God in our lives. All of our tricks, all of our natural abilities, all of our charades will profit us nothing – completely destroyed in the fire of God’s wrath and judgment.

I pray for you, my friend, that you will begin today exercising the power God has granted you. Learn to use it daily. Listen to the Spirit constantly. Address each situation in your life according to the power of God within you. Enact each directive given you by God immediately. Obey His Words completely. Quickly grow into the fulness and stature of God for your life and your mission. Behold the days grow short. Heed the call.

Be blessed.