-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Archives
Categories
Cost of Discipleship
Written by on March 12, 2014
Part of being a good disciple is explaining what we believe and the costs of discipleship. There is a cost associated to being labelled a Christian. One must understand, accept, and count the cost of this path. Intuitively, we know that people can believe in Christ, but not necessarily be a disciple. As disciples, we want to help lead and guide new believers to become disciples. In today’s society, they costs of being a true disciple is rising. Many may disagree with me, but I believe it is becoming harder to remain a true disciple. In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus gave us the requirements of discipleship.
Loving Jesus more than anything else
Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:25-26
When I first read the word “hate” in this scripture, I had to look it up in Vine’s Expository Dictionary of new Testament Words. It gave three definitions. Only one fit this context:
“(c) of relative preference for one thing over another, by way of expressing either aversion from, or disregard for, the claims of one person or thing relatively to those of another, Mat 6:24; and Luk 16:13, as to the impossibility of serving two masters; Luk 14:26, as to the claims of parents relatively to those of Christ; Jhn 12:25, of disregard for one’s life relatively to the claims of Christ; Eph 5:29, negatively, of one’s flesh, i.e. of one’s own, and therefore a man’s wife as one with him.”
In other words, it means to “love less” in this context, not to literally hate. The cost of discipleship means loving Christ so much that all other loves pale in comparison.
There are times when we as disciples have to choose between being obedient to God and our personal relationships. For an example in Luke 9, Jesus asked someone to follow Him, but the man responded, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father” (Luke 9:59). Jesus answered, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:60). In this instance, the man wanted to place his father, over the things of God, and Jesus corrected him.
The love of God compels us to choose who or what will be first in our lives. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first. Jesus’ way to glory and power is opposite the world’s way to glory and power. The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow Him.
To be a true disciple, means putting God first in all that we do, above our jobs, families, even our “duties” in the Church (Luke 10:38-42). It is prioritizing what is important to us.
Denying oneself and take up the Cross
And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:27) “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
Taking up one’s cross means renouncing selfish ambitions and addictions. It is death to a way of life that is apart from Christ. We have become so self-absorbed that we justify almost everything we do. To be a disciple of Christ means we have to deny those things, refuse to give in to those obsessions, and follow Christ.
Why a Cross? The cross signified death during Jesus’ time. Bearing your cross means dying to yourself, putting aside your personal desires, plans, and goals so that God can reveal His plan for your life. It means living in the perfect will of God.
The way of the cross involves sacrifice; the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus’ sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and “sweet” for us is that the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). We can never out-give God. He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. Do you allow the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with the love of God?
Understanding and counting the cost of discipleship
As with every endeavor, there is a cost for pursuing it. Some forsake family (or something else) for business, fame, or for whatever is the desire. Being a disciple is nothing that should come in an impulse, it should be deliberate with a commitment.
For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. (Luke 14:28)
Jesus is asking for us to commit all to Him. Not any percentage other than 100%. Just as one doesn’t embark on building a house without first ensuring there is money, and a solid foundation, we should not take our commitment to be a disciple so lightly. Considering the cost, as Jesus illustrated, is much more important than the decision to go to war. Both building a house and going to war are undertakings in which one has to be careful and go through an unhurried process. So is the choice to be a disciple.
Forsaking All
Forsaking means to surrender everything we own, and to commit to Jesus Christ.
So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:33)
This is not a poverty vow as some would think. This is making everything second, ensuring material things do not become an idol to us. We are here to glorify and be a worship to God. Whatever we do, it is to further His kingdom and His plans – that is a true discipleship.
Conclusion
Salvation was free to all of us who chose to believe and accept Christ in our hearts. Being a disciple is a lifelong process. It requires a cost, that cost is denying oneself, loving God above all. Discipleship isn’t just keeping God’s commandment, it is an absolute commitment to Christ.