Cost of Discipleship
Submitted by Frank Williams
October 28, 2024
Lu 14:26-27 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.
Luke uses a strong word when he says “hate.” It is a relative term that indicates a priority choice. Jesus will always come first in the life and decisions of a disciple.
Matthew makes this clear in his account when he says, He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. (Matt 10:37)
The cost of discipleship is what Paul teaches us in Romans. We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (12:1). The cost is relative, in that, when we compare the benefits received, it is negligible. Yet, because we still dwell in the flesh, the submitting part can feel very much like a costly sacrifice.
We are so privileged to be a child of God and to be of some use to Him in these evil days. If we are to influence and reach others as we ought (for Jesus’ sake), we are going to have to submit ourselves to the Lord and His will for us, wholeheartedly—Be a disciple.
It is interesting to me that the common word we often use and sing about, the word surrender, is not found even one time in the KJB. The word we find is submit. To surrender is like a war term, where a superior power has conquered the enemy. It is not even by the will or choice of the enemy, except that he has no other choice. But to submit carries the idea of a personal yielding to the authority of another, willingly.
Discipleship requires submission. For sure, it is a cost if compared to things of this world. If we follow Jesus and confess Him openly, it will require self-denial. The cost of a disciple is our sins, our self-righteousness, our ease, and our worldliness.
We surely are engaged in battles with the flesh, the devil, and the world. But when we put these alongside the eternal blessings and benefits, the cost is of no value whatsoever.
Consider – To be a mere nominal Christian, and go to church, is cheap and easy work— J. C. Ryle
