Biblical Christianity Is Not Cheap

Much of today’s evangelism depicts “accepting Jesus” as an event involving a bonanza of benefits with minimal or no cost to the acceptor. The idea being, since Jesus paid it all, there is no cost to be born by the recipients of the salvation purchased by His blood. Pretty much people are encouraged to “come as they are” and “continue as they are” and the grace of God will cover them.

In contrast to this view, the New Testament idea of becoming a disciple^[1] involves more than just mentally “accepting Christ as personal Savior.” It involves more than making only a minor change or two in the way that we live. It involves a total commitment to Jesus resulting in total transformation. It requires major changes in the way we view and live our lives.

By combining Matthew’s, Mark’s, and Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ Great Commission, we learn that one is made a disciple when he believes, repents, and is baptized. He is further told to observe all things commanded. This is his new beginning. From here he is to go forth walking in newness of life (Romans 6:4).

Jesus spoke plainly of the cost of discipleship

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)

“For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:28-33)

“Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:28-30)

There a is story that made the rounds, in my early days of preaching, that illustrates my point. It seems that there was a man who had struck it rich in the oil fields of Texas. He evidenced little interest in religion. However, his wife was a devout Christian. The church where she was a member would have gospel meetings all along. Out of respect for his wife, the oil man would attend every service of these meetings. This went on for years, then one night he answered the invitation and was baptized. People asked him, out of curiosity, why it had taken so long for him obey. His explanation when the visiting preachers, through the years, had asked him about becoming a Christian, he would ask, “What is it going to cost me?” He would receive the usual answer, “not a red cent” or an equivalent expression. He was turned off by this answer because his experience had been that he had never received anything worthwhile without it costing him something. This time, when he had asked the preacher, he was told “it will cost you everything you have.”

My friends, the Bible makes it clear that our salvation is not cheap. It costs us much. But, saying this, in no way, lessens our praise to our God and Our Savior, Jesus Christ. He, indeed, “paid it all.” He completely paid the debt that we could not pay. By comparison, while our salvation may cost us much in sacrifice, suffering, and service, that cost is minuscule when compared to benefits (both earthly and eternally) and compared to its cost to Jesus.

But, don’t let anyone deceive you into thinking that, since Jesus paid the terrible price He did, we can be eternally saved at no cost to ourselves.

1. . “Disciple” and “Christian” are interchangeable (Acts 11:26). ↑