The real cost of following Jesus

When we consider choosing to follow Jesus, we need to consider the cost. 

“A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”

Luke 14:25-28 NLT

Jesus talks to the crowd about counting the cost. To make sure you know full well what you are committing to. To know the cost upfront so you will not be surprised later. 

So what does following Jesus costs?

It costs everything.

It costs loving God with all your heart, mind and soul.

It costs fully surrendering.

It costs seeking first the kingdom of God.

It costs letting go of your sin.

It costs picking up your cross daily.

This is the cost of following Jesus. It is not easy, Jesus asks for complete commitment. Choosing to follow Jesus requires an honest conversation with yourself about if you are willing to be on in. 

But what it costs pales in comparison to what it brings:

It brings life and life in abundance.

It brings the Fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

It brings heaven on earth.

While it is a great cost, it comes with an even greater reward than we can imagine. Not just eternity in heaven, but life on earth with Jesus. Pressing into God and His kingdom on earth. Growing closer to Jesus and developing the fruit of the Spirit. Living in the life of abundance only God can give.