Can you believe the price of gas? It's driving me crazy. Something happens in the middle east and the price of gas jumps 20 cents a gallon. Of course when things settle down again, gas comes down a cent or two, maybe 10 over the next few weeks. Everything is getting more and more expensive these days. Costs are rising but income isn't keeping pace. I say we let them keep their oil and all start riding bicycles. Like that's a practical solutions, Dave. Well, it'd be a start and who knows, we might even solve the obesity problem in America at the same time. After all, look at Jared from those Subway commercials.
We live in a world where costs goes up as the stakes go up. We don't like it, but we go ahead in pay it because the alternative seems less attractive to us. We don't have to pay the high cost of gas if want to stay home all the time or choose to walk everywhere. To have anything, we have to pay the cost. It's true with most anything in life. There is always a price that has to be paid.
That includes the cost of following Christ. In Luke 9, three men come to Jesus and tell Him that they want to follow Him. Yet when Jesus told them the cost, they weren't ready to pay it. Oh they wanted to be with Jesus, but on their terms. They weren't really ready to give up their own wants, desires, agendas, etc. for Christ. Talk about having your cake and eating it too.
Unfortunately, today many have the same attitude about following Christ. Oh sure, they want Jesus in their life, but they aren't willing to pay the price of being a true follower of Jesus. Sacrifice, commitment, dedication aren't words in our vocabulary. They have been superseded by comfort, pleasure, gratification. Work has almost become a new four letter word.
It's no wonder that Jesus said that the road to eternal life is narrow and few will find it. The price is too high for most. They settle for less as ridicules as it seems. The cost of eternal life is surrendering your life, will, heart, agenda, goals, career, family to Him. For many, they will follow Christ as long as it doesn't interfere with their job, or down time, or weekend schedule, or family, or lifestyle, or habits, or personal agenda, or budget.
Looking at the excuses of these three Jesus encounters sounds eerily familiar. "Once I get my house all set up and everything is just right then I'll come follow you." "Once I get the family business up and running and I can live off that, then I'll give you some time, maybe travel and visit some missionaries. Just think Jesus, when I've made enough, you and I can go on a world evangelistic tour. I'll pay." "Well, once I get this party lifestyle out of my system I'll be ready to come hang out with you, Jeez. I'm still young. Let me get this out of my system first, you know sow a few wild oats. I'll be ready to settle down in a few years."
Are you willing to pay the price to become a true follower of Christ?
God, it's amazing how quick we are to resist following you as you desire. We'll follow you as long it doesn't make us feel uncomfortable or really cost us anything. How many times have you heard, "I'll serve you as long as I like the people I'm working with, as long as I have a say so, as long as I can get some recognition, as long as I do it on my schedule and my terms." Lord, I want to have your heart and attitude, to be willing to pay the cost even at the cost of my own life for others. Empower me to say "no" to myself and "yes" to you. I want to really live.
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