What Does It Really Cost to Follow Jesus?

Many people today view Christianity as a casual addition to their lives - something to turn to when times get tough. But what if this understanding completely misses the mark? What if following Jesus requires something far more radical than we've been taught?

The Reality of Spiritual Warfare

Jesus' First Ministry Was an Exorcism

Immediately after Jesus' temptation in the desert, His first recorded ministry was casting out demons in a synagogue. This wasn't coincidental - it reveals the true nature of the Christian life. We're not living in a peaceful world where faith is merely a comfort; we're in active spiritual warfare.

The enemy doesn't need to work hard in the secular world because he already has influence there. Instead, he focuses his attacks on places of worship and believers. This is why Jesus' ministry began with confronting demonic forces right in the synagogue.

Christianity Is Not Casual

The Christian life isn't about moral improvement or attending church services. It's a war zone with real spiritual battles. Too many people treat Jesus as an addendum to their lives rather than the central figure. They want Jesus when things go wrong but don't surrender their entire existence to Him.

What Does Jesus Actually Require?

Count the Cost Before You Commit

Jesus never invited people to "ask Him into their hearts" - that phrase isn't found in Scripture. Instead, He called for repentance and complete surrender. In Luke 14, Jesus uses two illustrations to emphasize counting the cost:

 

• A builder who calculates whether he can finish a tower before starting

• A king who considers whether he can win a war before engaging

 

These aren't casual decisions, and neither is following Christ.

The Price of Discipleship

Following Jesus will cost you:

 

• Popularity and social acceptance

• Career promotions or positions

• An easy, comfortable life

• The approval of family and friends

 

You'll need to discipline yourself, say no to temptation, break with the crowd, and be willing to stand alone for Christ. True discipleship means being willing to stand for Jesus even if you're the only one standing.

The Coming King

Jesus Returns as a Conqueror

The gentle, meek Jesus often portrayed in modern Christianity is incomplete. When Christ returns, He's coming as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Scripture describes Him returning on a white horse with His garment dipped in the blood of His enemies, ruling with an iron rod.

This isn't about being harsh - it's about justice. Before His return, we have the opportunity to make peace with this coming King on His terms, not ours.

Terms of Peace

Jesus offers mercy today, but the terms are non-negotiable:

 

• Place Him first above father, mother, siblings, even your own life

• Take up your cross and follow Him

• Surrender everything to His lordship

 

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord - either willingly now in salvation or unwillingly later in judgment.

What True Surrender Looks Like

Everything Belongs to Him

When you truly follow Christ, you realize He owns everything. It's no longer your life, time, wealth, or future - it all belongs to Him. This isn't about losing everything; it's about recognizing that everything you have is His to begin with.

Saving faith isn't about being a good person. It's coming to the end of yourself and completely trusting all that you are and all that you have to Jesus Christ.

Useless Salt

Jesus warns about salt that has lost its taste - it's useless and gets thrown away. This represents people who claim to follow Christ but haven't truly surrendered. They're not seasoning anything or making a difference for the kingdom. They take up space and teach a false gospel that doesn't save anyone.

The Warrior's Cry: Rak Chazak Amatz

Understanding Our Battle Position

The Hebrew phrase "Rak Chazak Amatz" appears throughout Scripture, often translated as "be strong and of good courage." But it carries much deeper meaning for spiritual warriors:

 

• Chazak: Rock-like strength and enthusiasm of a surrendered heart; spiritual fervor and resolute commitment to God's glory

• Amatz: Heavenly audacity; rushing headlong into impossible spiritual battles without considering the impossibilities

• Rak: "Only" - meaning being strong and courageous isn't optional for followers of Jesus

 

Examples of Heavenly Audacity

Biblical examples of this warrior spirit include:

 

• David facing Goliath with complete confidence in God

• Three men breaking through enemy lines just to get David water

• The apostles turning the world upside down after Pentecost

 

When believers operate with this kind of faith and boldness, the world changes. We have access to heaven's armory and everything needed for life and godliness.

Life Application

This week, examine whether you've truly surrendered everything to Christ or if you're treating Him as merely an addition to your life. True discipleship requires complete surrender - your time, resources, relationships, and future all belong to Him.

Consider these questions:

 

• Have I truly yielded my entire life to Jesus, or am I holding back certain areas?

• Is there evidence in my daily choices that Christ is the King of my heart?

• Am I living with the boldness and spiritual fervor of someone who knows they're in a spiritual war?

• What would change in my life if I truly believed that everything I have belongs to God?

 

The call isn't to casual Christianity but to radical discipleship. Jesus doesn't want part of your life - He demands all of it. But in return, He offers eternal life, purpose, and the power to make a real difference in this world. The question isn't whether you can afford to surrender everything to Christ, but whether you can afford not to.