Scriptures: Luke 14:27-29 and 33/Galatians 5:7/1 Corinthians 9:24-27/
There's a huge difference between believing in Jesus and following Jesus. Belief in Christ and his message costs me nothing, but according too the mans own words in like 14:27 and 33
27" if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."
33" So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."
The things Jesus said that are sandwiched between those two statements are supper serious. We can play around with the Bible and church if we want, but I can tell you from personal experience it doesn't get you much. What we need to face our personal struggles and difficulties isn't a bunch of information we think might work but God's power doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.
I began to get a taste of this power when I was willing step out on what I had come to know about God and his word and put them in action. It wasn't good enough for me to know God had the power to change my situation, I had to come to a place where I believed he would use it on my behalf and take the fist step.
The fist step Jesus suggests in this gospel passage is to count the coast. Then he also give us the answer. EVERYTHING. Now I know you might think the price to too height. But need I remind you he isn't asking anything of us he hasn't already asked of himself. Jesus gave his life for ours to give a better way of life IF we are willing to follow him.
We all need guidance in living out the will of God. So I'll leave you with one of my favorite proverbs that also shows us the coast of discipleship.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in All you do, and he will show you which path to take." 3:5-7.
Mcqueen Varnes