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Count the Cost
by Karin Paparelli
When faced with a major decision such as a change in career or residence,
wisdom would dictate that we evaluate our circumstance and weigh our options.
We might consider long and short range adjustments and benefits. We may
also examine how this change will effect others in our life. That is wisdom's
way. There is, of course, another way to make decisions. Some decisions
are not made after long periods of contemplation and review, but rather
in the spur of the moment; decisions made during an emotional moment.
These types of decisions can be at best, haphazard and possibly even dangerous.
Think about it. You have just had a horrible day, you feel tired and worn
out, you get stuck in traffic, you bicker with your spouse, you even have
a headache. In frustration and self pity you sit down with a half gallon
of Ben & Jerry's. You begin to feel better until you realize the entire
container is empty! Or how about when you've been sold the latest, greatest
gadget that you never needed and can't afford by a quick tongued salesman.
And how about when in the heat of the moment you throw caution to the
wind, and nine months later your family has increased by one. These seem
like careless, maybe even , foolish decisions but certainly not dangerous.
It is when we react in anger, or jealousy or hatred or fear, that we can
make the most dreadful mistakes. We have all experienced those moments
when in a fit of anger and you lash out at someone. Sadly it is usually
someone we love like our spouse or our children. Spend some time reading
the daily paper or watching the news and you'll quickly see the large
number of crimes committed by people governed by their emotions.
Don't get me wrong, emotions are God given and valuable in our physiology.
It is when we allow them to rule our behavior that we are in trouble.
There is one decision that I am most concerned about people making in
a rush of emotion. That is the decision to follow Christ. Many are, and
have been, swayed by their emotions to make a commitment to Jesus. But
that is not how Jesus said to follow Him. Jesus spoke of counting the
cost when deciding to follow Him.
In the book of Luke chapter 14 verses 25-35 Jesus talks about counting
the cost in becoming a disciple. It begins by stating that large crowds
had been following Jesus. I believe that many were curious about Jesus,
others had undoubtedly heard of the miracles and healing . But had they
really considered what it might cost them to follow Him? Jesus says in
verse 26, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and
mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes even his
own life - he cannot be my disciple." What was He saying? Did he
really mean to hate everyone we knew formerly? No, Jesus' teaching about
honoring your father and mother and being faithful to you spouse clearly
demonstrate His opinion on family. Rather He is saying that to follow
me will cost you everything, even your own life. It will require putting
Jesus first in your heart. Giving God the place of honor in your home.
If you had to choose today between God or your family which would it be?
That's a tough question isn't it? But nevertheless that is what Jesus
is asking.
As we read further in that passage He goes on to say, "And anyone
who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."
The cross signified shame and guilt. It was despised by all. No one would
want to pick up their cross willingly. Not unless they were completely
devoted to the one who asked. But realize that Jesus didn't say pick up
your cross and follow me if you want to be the greatest follower I have.
No this was a requirement to follow him at all.
In the remainder of these verses Jesus gives examples of wise men who
carefully consider the cost before building towers or waging war. He then
says, "Salt is good but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be
made salty again? It is neither fit for the soil nor for the manure pile;
it is thrown out". What is that all about? Look at it in context
of what He is speaking about. If you want to follow Jesus, you must place
Him first, above all others even yourself. You must also be willing to
suffer for His sake, enduring shame, persecution and even death. Before
making this decision you should consider the weightiness of your choice;
just as a builder or King would plan his endeavor. You must take into
account the goal set before you and the means necessary to reach it. If
you do this and then still decide to follow Jesus, than you will stay
true to Him regardless of what is to come. You will not allow anything
to separate you from God and His purposes in your life. Nothing, not spouse
or mother or father or child or busyness or persecution or even death.
But if you are rash when you decide to follow Christ. If you commit to
Him as an emotional response in the heat of a moment, then when persecutions
or hard choices come you may fall away. The choices will seem unfair and
you will not want to choose His way. And so you will be as salt which
has lost its saltiness; unable to be used by the Lord.
Following Jesus is always a choice. It is a conscious decision to lay
down your plans for His, to go His way not yours, to obey His will and
not your own. When you can say "Lord your will be done", then
He will use you to establish His Kingdom here on earth. He desires for
us to be vessels that His love and power can move through to reach a dying
world. There is a cost to following Jesus, for some it may cost family
or friends, for others it may be jobs and possessions, and for still others
it may cost their very breath. But there is no other joy than to know
that for each who stays true to the end there will be a crown of righteousness
in store for us as we spend eternity in the presence of the Lord. Have
you counted the cost?
May you walk in His grace. Thy Kingdom come.
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