Luke and the Lost

Figuring out the cost of something always means make a choice. I can either have this or that. But I can’t have both. Teaching this to your kids and then later your grandkids at the local stuffmart becomes very interesting and is a good lesson to learn.

Choose well, says, Jesus. Figure the cost. Count on the cost.

Luke 14, The Message
Figure the Cost
25-27 One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.

28-30 “Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’

31-32 “Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?

33 “Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.

34 “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

Are we listening? There are small to large, life-changing, life transforming decisions that we face each day that lead to building on the foundation of our salvation of Jesus Christ or tearing it down block by block, and board by board. Who are we listening to? The cost is giving up to gain more. What?! This is not the world’s view of life!

Jesus says count the cost. He reminds us It WILL cost. Our faith and discipleship (following God’s commands) will cost us, at times, that awkwardness of being “different” at the office, at church, in the marketplace of life, in our thinking and actions. Are we listening, really listening? We must combat worldview thinking knowing there will be times we must stand up graciously and declare by our actions and behavior the choices we have clearly made to follow Jesus Christ.

Jesus counted the cost before leaving the comfort and power of heaven to lay down his life for us. He left HIS Father so that we might have eternal life if we choose Him.

Choose well. Know that the cost of a little humility and awkwardness and even physical death for many here on earth does not compare with life eternal with Jesus forever. He gave so that we might live. We were worth the cost to Him. Wow.

Dear Heavenly Father, It will be worth all the cost here to be with You forever there. Help us build on the foundation you have laid in our hearts, minds and souls. Complete Your work in and through us. Continue to be with us, guiding and leading us around the traps and evil that lie in wait. Arm us with all we need to fight the battle to stay completely Yours that You have already won. In Jesus Name, Amen