Let’s Talk: The Cost Of Discipleship
I recently heard a quote at a conference that struck me deeply:
“Salvation is free, but discipleship comes at a cost.”
Jesus calls us to a transformative journey with Him:
Repent: Turn away from sin and toward God.
Believe in Him: Embrace Jesus as both Savior and Lord.
Deny Sinful Desires: Reject the temptations that lead us astray.
Pick Up Our Cross Daily: Embrace the challenges and sacrifices of following Christ.
Be Holy: Strive to live a life that reflects God's holiness.
Clothe Ourselves in His Righteousness: Rely on Christ’s righteousness rather than our own.
Abide in Him: Let His Word dwell in us and guide our lives.
When we fall or fail, we are called to return to repentance.
Yet, what I observe in this generation is a tendency to treat this call as a mere suggestion rather than evidence of being true disciples or truly in fellowship with Christ. We might think that being light in one area of our lives makes it acceptable to walk in darkness in another. However, as Scripture says, this does not align with practicing the truth.
1 John 1:5-10 reminds us:
“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
No believer will achieve perfection, as even Jesus’ disciples stumbled and fell. This is why it is crucial to confess our sins so we may be forgiven and cleansed. However, if our lifestyle contradicts the faith we profess, we must question whether our faith is alive or if we have strayed from it in some way.
I know this journey well. I once lived a lifestyle that was completely contrary to what I professed. Yet, God’s immense love led Him to reveal my true self to me. He showed me my sins but met me with love, grace, and a call to repentance—a call that means more than just feeling bad about sin; it involves turning away from it.
The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He is always knocking at the door of our hearts. If we, as a generation, would open the door fully to Him—not just a crack—He would come in and dine with us daily. He desires our whole hearts, not just parts of them. He wants all of us, every day, not just Sundays or occasional days.
The question is, are we willing to let Him in?
