Counting the Cost (Part 2)

In last week’s article we considered the enormous cost Jesus paid for our redemption, that was He shed His precious blood. In this second part we’ll consider some aspects of the cost to every member of the church. Jesus spoke of cost counting in Luke. 14:25-33. Before anyone decides to obey the gospel, much serious consideration must be given to the cost of discipleship. Christianity comes with a price.

The very first thing that one must understand and accept, is that following Christ means unfollowing the world. For those who are Facebook users, you know the concept of “unfriending or unfollowing” another. Usually that is done when someone becomes offensive, or they just have different interests. I recently unfriended someone because all their posts were in a language that I don’t understand. Obeying the gospel means “walking in newness of life” (Rom 6:4-5), that you become a new creation in Christ. That means many of our old ways of thinking and living, and sometimes that means old friends in the sense of our differences. Some things must be put behind us in order that our new life in Christ may flourish.

Separation from the world is just a part of the cost of Christianity. The “Lord Almighty” demands, “…Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” The text continues in verse 18 with, “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters” (2 Cor. 6:17-18). Now, Christians are those who have decided to relinquish worldliness and give themselves to the service of God striving to live without sin (1 John 3:9). Separation from the world means giving up the things which are sinful. Paul wrote, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [a]homosexuals, nor [b]sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10) and went on to describe the saved this way, “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were [c]sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (v.11). Christians will change because they—love—the—way—of—the—Father, and Jesus more than the way of this world and because there hope is a place in Heaven, not this world.

Some people will never understand how you, their friend, no longer walk with them, “in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Pet. 4:3-4). Moral conduct will change for everyone in Christ, it will become different from that of the non-Christians, and that often will cost you your old friendships. Being Christian has a cost.

When one is not willing to pay the cost, the cost will be their soul! Why? Because distinction between the world and the Christian—becomes blurred. Because the Christian rides the fence on important issues, soon hope fades, faith becomes weak and the voice of world is loudly heard over the voice of God. Feelings replace “wisdom from above” (James 3:17) with what is “earthly, sensual, demonic…where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (3:15-16). Now “Christians”, so weak, refuse to break adulterous marriages, refuse to stop social drinking etc. God’s will is for Christians to practice godliness and the byproduct of that—their standard of living will be far different and superior to that of the world. Part of the cost of Christianity is separation from the way of the world.

Because there is a difference between the world and Christianity, there will also be persecution. Paul wrote, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12). Today in our country, persecutions are much less intense than those which first century Christians had to face. But we’ll nevertheless face persecutions. Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you [a]will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). What are these persecutions and tribulations? Live a morally and you’ll certainly be socially ostracized. The world loves telling of filthy jokes, bars, night clubs, office parties, mixed hot tubs and swimming, and modern dance. Choosing godliness makes you an “outsider”, not a part of the “in” crowd. Christians are thought “crazy” for giving sacrificially to the work of the church. If you love God and the saints, attend all of the services of the local church, then you’re a “religious, dogmatic, fanatic.” Read the Bible instead of “Sports Illustrated” and you’re a “Bible-beater or Bible-thumper.” Teach salvation is available only in Christ, you’re called a narrow-minded, bigoted idiot. Yes, follow Christ and you’ll have tribulation and persecution from those outside the church. This is a cost every Christian will pay.

The next cost point of Christianity is our time and for this I’d like you to imagine what it would be like if God treated us like so many treat Him. We ask, “Father, give me this day my daily bread” and God says, “I am too busy for you today, I had a lot on my plate, I have friends and family visiting.” I’m thinking many would die of starvation, and spiritually, that is happening all too much. Too many are “too busy” or “too tired” or “tied up with family and friends”, to devote time to worship and work for God. Too busy to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). God will not save those who are so preoccupied with the things of this world they cannot serve Him. Hence, Christianity costs us our time which is all too often left unpaid by members. Paul wrote, “See then that you walk [a]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Eph. 5:15-16). There will be times when our service to Jesus Christ will require us to forego activities we so enjoy. Giving up a golf date to help a brother in need, of not seeing a ball game to attend a worship service. Saying no to an all-expense paid trip to the local theme park so that you can be part of a work day or a community evangelistic effort. Those days when you would prefer to be in bed asleep, or stay at home with family, or just have a good time, but know that you must be about the Father’s business. Being in Christ will cost every Christian time.

One way to pay the cost of Christianity is to devote your life and talents to the service of God (Matt. 25:14-30). Each of us has differing abilities. For some service of Christ means a lifetime as a gospel preacher, some serving publicly during worship, leading singing, prayers, serving communion and others teaching young people, still others holding bible studies in their home. Realize God has given us all certain abilities for which we are accountable. Paul, after teaching about self-denial wrote, “…woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16). Each Christian should regularly say, woe is me if I do not (Fill in the Blank)! Woe is me if I do not use my ability to lead singing! Woe is me if I do not use my ability of communication to preach Christ! Woe is me if I do not use my ability to become elder or deacon! Woe is me if I do not use my ability of hospitality to aid and strengthen the brethren! All our talents are from God and all should be used in Christ’s service. That is what Christianity costs every Christian.

God has also blessed so many in the church with wealth. That money could be used to buy a boat, clothes, a second or third car, vacations, or just put it away in large sums. The world considers money as a personal possession, owned by the individual who is free to use it to satisfy self. Yet, Christians must understand that God is the one who gave us the ability to earn a wage. Moses said, “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth…” (Deut. 8:18). And rightly so for God has said, “Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:11) and “The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psa. 24:1). Everything we have actually is His and is a blessing from Him. I know that what I give to Him is but a small portion compared to what He has so bountifully given to me, and then there’s the cross. the reality is the money which we “freely give” to the work of the church, is already His. We’ve all heard, “You can’t take it with you.” So, place your bank account in heaven (Matt. 6:19-20), growing rich toward God. Being a Christian will cost money that is given sacrificially to the Lord.

So, we understand Christianity didn’t come to us cheaply, it cost the Father the best He had, Jesus on the cross. For each of us then, it should be a joy to give back of our life and talents, our time our money, and even some of our comforts. Infinitesimal is the cost and sacrifices we must make to serve Him who paid so much. For the opportunity to escape Hell and to live forever in Heaven I am willing to sacrifice this and much more, with God’s blessing.

Love

Dave Scarpino