The decision to follow Christ is not to be made lightly. There is significant cost involved — a cost not measured only in dollars. For some, the cost will be loss of property; for others, reputation, friendships or even family relationships. For some Christians, the cost is life itself.
And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me — the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. (Acts 20:22-25).
Near the end of his travels, the Apostle Paul faced a difficult decision, one that many around him did not understand: would he return to Jerusalem to preach the Gospel and face great opposition and maybe even death? For several years he had shared the message of Jesus at significant personal sacrifice. This would be no easier. Paul knew both the cost and the treasure that comes from following Jesus Christ to the end.
What holds us back from that kind of surrender? C.S. Lewis hits the nail on the head: We’re not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. None of us like hardship or rejection or sacrificing material comforts, but we’re called to complete commitment — to make ourselves available to serve God anytime, anywhere, at any cost, to do anything.
Is anything holding you back? Connect with one of our confidential mentors today to talk about it.
Our hearts are stirred to really give everything when we believe that the reward will outweigh the cost. There is so much joy to be experienced when we step out in faith to boldly serve Jesus! Think of the lives God will change through us! The abundant life starts at the place of unconditional surrender, believing that the joy of obedience is greater than anything we could ever lose.
What if we saw “sacrifice” as a beautiful word? Jesus did when he died for us. That’s how he changed our lives for eternity.