Counting the Costs of Discipleship

Has your new faith brought suffering to you instead of the joy you expected?

Have you had to sacrifice something important to you?

Have you lost friendships or family because of your choice?

Has someone threatened to jail or kill you unless you renounce Christ?

If not, you still need to be prepared to face the fact that you will suffer for your faith during your Christian walk. For many of our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world that is exactly what they have to face, rejection and maybe even death.

When I first became a Christian I often heard the term 'the cost of discipleship'. I thought I knew what it meant. I figured if I lived in a nation really hostile to the gospel I could be harassed or even killed because of my faith.

But the trials and ordeals we may have to go through for our faith could range from facing insults and rejection all the way up to various forms of persecution.

Not What You Bargained For?

Christ suffered, was rejected by those closest to Him, and died.

The disciple of Christ must also follow that exact same formula. We must suffer because of our faith in Christ. We will be rejected for the sake of Christ. And even if we are not physically murdered by those who hate us, we must die to ourselves and we must die to sin.

Remember Jesus never promised us lives free of pain and suffering.

Ok We Have to Suffer..... Why?

Often....its the only way we learn.

If Christ had to follow that formula, why should we be any different.

So while we would be foolish to want to seek out suffering, we should always remember there is a good reason for it.

You need it to help you grow. I need it to help me grow. I wish it was not so, but it is.