Sabbath: The cost of Discipleship
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 12:49-53; Deut. 21:15; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Matt. 18:8-9; John 14:1-3; Heb. 11:32-12:4.
Memory Text: Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:7, ESV)
Throughout history, nameless millions willingly sacrificed their lives for Christ. They were imprisoned, tortured, even executed. Millions have foregone employment, suffered ridicule, endured expulsion from family, and persevered through religious persecution rather than forsake Christ. Only God knows the full extent of the suffering that His faithful ones have endured.
Of course, Paul forewarned, Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
(2 Tim. 3:12, ESV). And Peter said: For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps
(1 Pet. 2:21, ESV).
Despite the promises of the so-called prosperity
preachers, luxurious automobiles and financial gain are not automatic embellishments afforded to believers.
In the end, we can be sure that whatever the cost of discipleship is, considering the ultimate reward, that cost is cheap enough.
Indeed many have heard and even read about the cost of descipleship thinking it was an experience for desciples during Christ’s time and in the early church. No wonder many today are finding it difficult when faced with calamities that call surrender to Christ or worldly gain such as Sabbath keeping or going for work on the Sabbath. Only when we realise that in Jesus Christ we have our whole being are we going to be His true followers!
The cost of discipleship is almost an oxy-moron. If we are truly in love with Jesus Christ, whatever we go thru is worth the effort to stay close to Him. In that is salvation. Whatever we go thru here on earth is nothing when compared to our lives in heaven with Him. Like the man in the Bible, he sold all to obtain what he valued most.
Hmmm!
THE Cost is cheap! 🙂
For one to be Christ’s disciple, it is imminent that one fully knows the Saviour. It is only then that you can pay the cost of discipleship since you will have understood what Christ did for you and me and therefore willing even to die for him just like the men and women of old. Your focus will always be the heavenly reward and not on earthly possession.
In cost of discipleship, one should expect any form of temptation but our focus should be in Christ Jesus.
Remember, He said “My yoke is easy and My burden is light”.
Focus on Jesus, not the cross you will be given. Jesus will tailor your cross for you so that you can bear it, even joyfully. And how can we really bear it? . . . Jesus is carrying us as we carry our crosses.
Mmmm!! Well said 🙂
if we are not suffering persecution in our lives, can we say that we are not living godly lives?
Considering what Christ had done for us it should be a forgone conclusion that we should not seek after worldly treasures but for the heavenly treasures that our Savior has promised us.We have to remember He bore it all at the Cross.
It Pays more than its Cost