Last week at a local Missions Conference the speaker from the Middle East gave a story of leading a woman to the Lord. As part of his presentation, he warned her of the persecution that may follow. He cautioned her to Count the Cost.

Wilkins in his book Following the Master shows that just as each Gospel writer presents a different aspect of Jesus Christ, so also each Gospel account presents a different aspect of being a Disciple of Jesus Christ. Luke cautions of the cost of following Jesus. The life of following Jesus includes detachment from competing allegiances and giving personal allegiance to Jesus alone.
“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” Lk 9:23-24

In Lk 14:25-35, there is a large crowd going along with Jesus. What He says next is to the crowd, not to his committed disciples. To the crowd Jesus lays out His expectation of total allegiance. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” Jesus gives two examples of the need to “Count the Cost” before making a decision. (building a tower & going to war)

The American Bubble

Believers in most generations and in most parts of the world understand the need to count the cost before trusting in Christ, due to the likely persecution they will face. But we Americans have been “blessed” to live in a unique bubble in history. There is no thought of persecution when one trusts in Christ. In fact, the normal expectation is that God will fix my life and bless me. This is in total contradiction to what Jesus warned in John 15:18-25. “If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.”

Sooooo, since we do not face persecution, how do we incorporate the “Count the Cost” warning into our Gospel presentation? I don’t think I have EVER heard a count the cost warning included in a Gospel presentation.

The Cost of Full Allegiance

I submit there is still a “Cost” for an unbeliever to consider. Before trusting in Jesus, the person should be “warned” of the expectations of Jesus to those who follow Him. Jesus comes before family, Jesus comes before your personal plans, Jesus comes before your possessions. Lk 14:25-35

Is it possible, that if we began to include this Biblical Gospel warning, that new believers would begin their journey of following Jesus with a more “Christ Centered” view of life? Maybe new believers would more likely become “Joe #2.”
(see “Church Centered or Christ Centered” under the Welcome menu)

May the Lord use each of us to be part of a Disciple Making Movement within our sphere of influence.