Faith Insight 19: The Cost of Following Christ

FAITH THAT LIVES — WEEKLY INSIGHT

Faith Insight 19: The Cost of Following Christ

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”— Luke 9:23 (ESV)

In our last Insight, we considered what it means to surrender our will to God. That surrender can become difficult when we begin to see what obedience may cost. We may know what Christ is asking of us and still feel afraid to follow through. Perhaps telling the truth will put a relationship at risk, or obeying Him will mean letting go of something we have worked hard to secure.

Jesus spoke plainly about this. When He called His disciples to take up their cross, they would have understood the seriousness of His words. A cross meant suffering and death. Following Him would require yielding their lives to His authority, even when faithfulness brought loss.

Self-denial begins with acknowledging that our lives belong to Him. We still have needs and responsibilities, and we may receive God’s good gifts with gratitude. But our desires can no longer have the final word. When they conflict with what Christ has taught us, we are called to trust Him enough to obey.

For some believers, that obedience has meant imprisonment or the loss of their lives. Others face rejection from people they love. We should remember them in prayer and be careful not to speak lightly about the cost they bear. In our own circumstances, we may face pressure to keep quiet about our faith or accept an opportunity that requires dishonesty. These moments reveal how deeply we depend on the approval and security we fear losing.

In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus asks those who would follow Him to consider the cost, using the examples of a builder planning a tower and a king preparing for battle. He calls for a commitment that reaches every part of life:

“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”— Luke 14:33 (ESV)

Those words deserve time and prayer. Our possessions and plans are entrusted to us under His lordship, and we must be willing to release them at His command. The rich ruler became deeply sorrowful when Jesus told him to sell what he had and follow Him (Luke 18:18–23). His response invites us to examine our own attachments with honesty. What have we come to rely on so heavily that we struggle to entrust it to Christ?

As we face that question, we need to remember what we have already learned about grace. We cannot earn salvation through sacrifice. Christ gave Himself for us before we could offer Him anything. Our obedience grows out of receiving His mercy and learning to trust the One who loves us. When we discover resistance in our hearts, we can confess it and ask for His help.

Jesus also gives us a promise in the midst of this difficult teaching:

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.”— Luke 9:24 (ESV)

Following Christ may bring losses we will grieve. His promise does not make those losses painless, but it gives us reason to entrust our lives to Him. Paul had suffered much, yet he could speak of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord (Philippians 3:8). Knowing Christ had become more precious to him than what he had left behind.

We may read these words and wonder whether our faith is strong enough. We can bring that fear to the Lord. The Savior who gave His life for us remains with us, and His Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. As we pray and attend to His Word, we learn to depend on His strength for the obedience before us. A trusted fellow believer can also pray with us and help us discern the next faithful step.

Perhaps there is a particular cost on your mind as you read this. Speak honestly with the Lord about it. Ask Him to deepen your trust and help you do what He has made clear. You can begin with the obedience before you today, depending on His grace as you follow.

FOR REFLECTION

What am I afraid of losing if I obey Christ? How might I bring that fear to Him in prayer and learn to trust Him with what matters so much to me?

A PRACTICAL RESPONSE

Read Luke 9:23–26 and Luke 14:25–33 slowly. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you where you are resisting Christ’s leading. Name the cost honestly, and ask for His help with one specific step of obedience. If you are unsure how to proceed, seek prayer and counsel from a mature believer who will help you consider Scripture carefully.

A SIMPLE PRAYER

Lord Jesus, You know what I am afraid to lose. Thank You for giving Yourself for me and for receiving me in mercy. Forgive me where I have resisted Your will. By Your Spirit, deepen my trust and give me strength to obey You in the place where I am struggling. Help me receive the encouragement of Your people and follow You faithfully today. Amen.

Next Teaching Insight: Faithfulness in the Small Things

Adapted from themes explored in Faith That Lives by Dr. James D. Zuber.