Lesson 14: Becoming Christlike – The Cost of Discipleship
She walked into my room crying, “I can’t do this; I can’t!” Puzzled, I replied, “Talk to me; what can’t you do?”
Amidst her teary eyes, she blurted, “I started reading my Bible today, and I became afraid.” Curious, I asked, “Afraid of what?” She responded, “I am afraid of what I have to give up if I decide to follow Christ. I am afraid of the commitment. I am afraid I will lose everything. I am afraid of being lonely.” She continued, “Let me ask you, do I have to give up all my friends for this decision?”
Smiling confidently and because I have been through these feelings before, I nodded, “Yes, you have to.” I explained further, “To be frank, you will have to give up ungodly friends; and not just friends, but also those things unbefitting for a follower of Christ.” Then, I advised her to be gradual and take one step at a time. I explained to her that at times like this, she needs to call to God to strengthen and walk her through.
“Come, let me show you something,” I told her, and I pulled her to my computer screen. I said to her, “Read the following Scriptures with me:
Matthew 19:29 – ‘And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.’
Matthew 16:25 – ‘For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.’”
Together we pondered on these Scriptures.
By now, I trust you are increasing and maturing in Christ. Therefore, it’s no news to you that there are costs that come with following Christ. Luke 9:23 confirms it: “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’” Why is there a cost? Because there is the separation; you are no longer of the world nor live in the way of the world. You have been set apart unto Christ.
Let me encourage with the above Scriptures. There is nothing you give to God that is lost; on the contrary, you gain more! God’s calculations are opposite human imagination. Human calculations say, “Whatever you give up, you’ve lost.” Yes, it’s true; you cannot keep what you gave away. But with God, He says that whatever you lose or let go, you still have. He promised it would even be a hundred times more plus eternity! Now, can you beat that!
What is God asking you to give up for Him? Please don’t be afraid to let go of everything God is asking you to give up. Joyfully yield to and follow Him. He will credit all back to you. And here’s the best part: Not for a moment, once you decide to let go and yield completely to Him, will He leave you. God will stay by you and walk you through. But don’t forget, whatever you decide to hold back, you lose.
Psalm 127:1 explains it this way, “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman keeps awake in vain.”
Will you make the decision now that you are better informed?
Whatever you give to God becomes your GAIN, not a LOSS.
God bless you!
Feel free to share your story with me.
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Lesson application:
Make a new commitment to follow Christ no matter what it costs you. Write it down and meditate on it.
