Discipleship & Counting the Cost

According to Scripture, a disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following:

1) Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34-38)
2) Following Jesus’ teachings (John 8:31-32)
3) Fruitfulness (John 15:5-8)
4) Love for other disciples (John 13:34-35)
5) Evangelism – Making disciples (Matthew 28:18-20)

In Luke 14, Jesus lays out the terms of discipleship. There were great crowds following Him. Everyone loved the miracles, healing, and free food. Jesus was cool, the talk of the town, and the latest fad. But He knew their hearts. He knew they desired the benefits of what He did rather than an understanding of who He was. They loved His gifts, not the life He was calling them to.

Suppose you learned that you had been given an all-expense-paid condo on a beach in Tahiti, complete with airfare, a car, food, and a maid. You could brag about your new lifestyle, plan for it, and dream about it. But until you pack up and leave your current home, the new life is never really yours. You cannot live in Tahiti and your current hometown at the same time. Many people approach Christianity the same way. They love the idea of eternal life, escaping hell, and having Jesus at their beck and call. But they are not willing to leave the life they now live. Their desires, lifestyle, and sinful habits are too precious to them. Their lives may exhibit a token change—starting to attend church or giving up a major sin—but they want to retain ownership of everything else. Jesus is speaking in Luke 14 to those with that mindset.

Learn more about counting the cost as Jesus said we are to do at: https://www.gotquestions.org/count-the-cost.html