The Cost of Following Christ
Mt. 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Disciple = A learner; a student A follower of Christ It is an honor to be a follower of Christ – there are many blessings bestowed on the one who follows Christ
But in order to have these blessings the one who follows Christ must be willing to “pay the price”
I. Self - restraint Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself (self-restraint), and take up his cross, and follow me.
This does not mean we should torture or bodies and refuse to enjoy the joys of life We must exercise self control --- control of the sinful passions What things must be denied?
Titus 2:11-12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
1 Jn. 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Self-control is a law of spiritual development – the one who fails to practice self control will not grow
It is also a law of protection - if we ignore this law we are exposed to injury
1 Cor. 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (NKJV)
A mother does not allow her child to eat poison or unhealthy food For the same reason God forbids “ungodliness and worldly lusts” in our lives
II. Self - Sacrifice “And take up his cross” (Mt. 16:24) Burdens = the cares and strain of daily life
Thorns = some limitation, mental or physical, which makes life more difficult and often miserable Cross = the pain we voluntarily suffer on behalf of others
2 Cor. 12:7-10 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong
“Every man must bear his own burden, endure his own thorn, the cross may be escaped; but without the cross there can be no crown.” Frank Cox
III. Self - Expression “And follow me” (Mt. 16:24) The life of one who follows Christ in not only restraining one’s self – it is also activity It is a development of the higher self – the spiritual man
It is living as God wants us to live We must follow near Christ – which includes obedience to His word and following His steps
1 Pet. 2:21-23 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
To go before Christ would be presumption To turn aside from Christ would show that we are worldly If we follow Him from afar it would mean we are cowardly
IV. The cost of not following Christ 1. The joy of obedience 2. Access to the throne of God 3. The assurance that all things work together for good 4. The welcome home!
Being a follow of Christ is costly –HOWEVER the cost of not following Him is far more costly!
References Thoughts adapted from brief outline by Frank L. Cox