SACRIFICE

Cost and Sacrifice

Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. Luke 9:23 (HCSB)

When I read Luke 9:23, it seems at first to be extremely hard to do. And I must confess it is at times. I mean, think about it. Jesus is saying, that whoever follows Him must live a life of self-denial and carry around your own instrument of death in the process. This is not the way to win friends and influence enemies. However, it is the way to have fully devoted followers committed even unto death.

Have you ever want to do something so much that you that you radically change your life to accomplish the task. This is what Christians are called to do when Christ says “Follow Me”. For the sake of illustration, looking at athletes might help. Paul J. Meyer wrote in Unlocking Your Legacy:

“Cost and self-sacrifice do not make something hard. Nobody feels sorry for the athlete who wins an Olympic medal, even though the person paid an incredible price through grueling effort behind the scenes, denying himself or herself certain things, probably for several years, all for one hopeful brief moment of glory. The medal, once attained, minimizes every cost and self-sacrifice.”

Meyer continues, “Following God is similar in many respects. There are costs and self-sacrifice to be made, but that does not mean it is hard to follow God. Hard is when you compete but never win, invest but lose everything, work but receive nothing for your efforts, and show love but receive hate in return…. When I compare my costs and self-sacrifices with what I have already received and will receive in return, my costs and self-sacrifices are insignificant!”

The Apostle Paul wrote confidently in 2 Timothy 4:7 saying, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” He was faithful in following Jesus. He further states “There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (HCSB) Paul did not focus on the hardships, but the cross. In the end, he will not wear the struggles, but the crown.

Today’s Prayer

Dear Lord,

Help me to focus only on the very next step I need to take in following you. Help me not to dwell on the past nor look to far ahead. Please help me to be sensitive to Your leading. In Jesus Name, Amen.