The Price Tag of Following Jesus
Why Putting God First Will Cost You
Nobody wants to hear it, but I'm going to say it anyway: putting God first will cost you.
I know, I know. In a world of "your best life now" and "God wants you happy," this isn't the message that sells books or fills seats. But it's the message Jesus preached, and if we're going to follow Him authentically, we need to face this truth head-on.
The Uncomfortable Truth
We live in a culture that promises us we can have it all. We want salvation without sacrifice, commitment without cost, discipleship without discipline. We want to follow Jesus as long as it enhances our existing plans rather than transforming them.
But Jesus never promised an easy road. In fact, He specifically warned us to "count the cost" (Luke 14:28). He told His disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).
What Does It Actually Cost?
Let me be clear about what we're NOT talking about here. We're not talking about earning salvation – that's free, paid for completely by Jesus on the cross. What costs us is the commitment to live for Him after we're saved.
The cost might look different for each of us:
For some, it's dreams and ambitions that don't align with God's purposes. Maybe you've been chasing success, wealth, or recognition, and God is calling you to something that looks smaller to the world but is greater in His kingdom.
For others, it's relationships that pull you away from God. This doesn't mean becoming a hermit, but it might mean setting boundaries with people who consistently lead you away from your faith.
For many, it's comfort and security. Following Jesus might mean taking risks, serving others sacrificially, or making choices that don't make sense to a watching world.
For all of us, it's control. The biggest cost is crucifying our own plans that are in opposition to God's kingdom. It's saying, "Not my will, but Yours be done."
Why the Resistance?
I get why we resist this message. I've been that person who wanted God's blessings without God's lordship. I wanted to be saved but not surrendered. I was like the rich young ruler – so focused on what I might lose that I couldn't see what I could gain.
The truth is, we've been sold a version of Christianity that promises all gain and no pain. But that's not the Christianity of the Bible. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20). That's death language – death to our own agenda so Christ can live through us.
The Sacrifice That Isn't Really a Sacrifice
Here's what I've discovered after years of trying to hold onto my own plans while following Jesus: what we think we're sacrificing for God pales in comparison to what we gain.
A sacrifice isn't really a sacrifice unless it costs you something. But when you truly understand what you're trading for, you realize you're not losing anything – you're investing in something infinitely better.
Think about it this way: if someone offered to trade you a handful of coins for a million-dollar check, would you call giving up the coins a sacrifice? Of course not! You'd call it the deal of a lifetime.
The Life You're Afraid to Lose
Maybe you're reading this and feeling scared. You're thinking about the life you've built, the plans you've made, the security you've worked for. The thought of letting God have control over any of it feels terrifying.
But let me ask you something: How's your way working out for you? Are you experiencing the peace, joy, and purpose that your heart is crying out for? Or are you exhausted from trying to manage everything yourself?
Jesus said, "Whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matthew 16:25). The life you're afraid to lose – the one you're clinging to so tightly – might be the very thing keeping you from the abundant life Jesus wants to give you.
Your Moment of Decision
The rich young ruler had a moment of decision. Jesus looked at him with love and said, "One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
The man walked away sad because he couldn't let go of what he had to embrace what Jesus offered.
You have that same moment of decision today. Not necessarily to sell everything, but to honestly evaluate what you're holding onto that might be keeping you from fully following Jesus.
What is God asking you to crucify? What dreams, relationships, habits, or securities is He calling you to surrender?
The cost is real. But so is the reward. And I promise you – as someone who has paid the price and found it to be the bargain of a lifetime – what you gain is so much greater than what you give up.
