Luke 9:23–24
23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him
deny himself, and accept his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever
desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will
save it.
True Cost of Discipleship
Our time on earth is limited. Eternity is forever. Where we spend eternity is
determined by a simple choice we make; a simple choice that has profound
consequences. A true disciple is not just one who with the mouth has
professed Jesus as Savior. He is one who has died to self and totally given
himself to God.
We may think our lives belong to self. We may think our lives belong to us.
Satan is a great deceiver. The difference in being a disciple of Satan and one
of Christ is self-indulgence verses denying self. Satan has convinced many
that being a follower of Christ is only words without commitment. Mark
8:34–35 says, “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples
also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the
gospel’s will save it.
Halfhearted commitment to God is no commitment at all. It seems many
want to give lip service to God and be recipients of all His favors. It just does
not work that way.
Discipleship is a necessary part of the Christians life. Discipleship is more
than just going to a Sunday morning worship service. It is more than just
singing the songs and listening to a preacher. Christian discipleship is
following Jesus and learning to live by His Word.
Jesus speaks of the true Cost of Discipleship in Luke 9:23–24 “Then He said
to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life
will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.”
Self-centered Christianity will not work in today’s world. It may work to bring
a respite of joy during a worship service designed to entertain but it will not
endure during the struggle of the world. True discipleship is giving allegiance of our lives to Christ. It is dying to self so Christ can live, rule and reign in our lives.