Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Luk 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

People and things tend to endear themselves to us, sometimes disproportionately. The committed disciple of Christ must take great care so as not to allow anything else to come before the Savior in our affection.

A real problem I have observed is that over time the committed disciple may once again begin to allow people and things to become too important. At one time they were happily willing to squash all claim on possessions and relations for sake of the gospel and it’s Object. But time and circumstance can temper their zeal and lessen their commitment.

Having counted the cost at one point and then later deciding to disown the cross and leave the tower unfinished is to go AWOL from discipleship.

We must remain committed until the battle is done and the victory is won.

Are you a committed disciple of Christ? Will you remain faithful until the crowns are granted?

If you do not bear the cross, you cannot wear the crown!