Counting The Cost
Counting the Cost: What It Really Means to Follow Jesus
Following Jesus was never meant to be easy or comfortable. In Luke 14:27-28, Jesus makes it plain: "And whosoever doth not bear His cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it." This is a call to honest, committed discipleship. Not a casual faith, but a counted one.
Why Does Jesus Talk About "Counting the Cost"?
We live in a world where people want blessings without obedience. They want salvation without surrender and purpose without sacrifice. But Jesus never promised a discount version of discipleship. He never offered convenience or comfort as part of the deal.
He said it Himself. No gray area, no confusion. If you want to follow Him, you have to count the cost first.
What Does "Bearing Your Cross" Actually Mean?
The cross is the cost. It is not just a symbol to wear around your neck. It represents something real and demanding.
The Cross Means Surrender
When you come into salvation, you have to surrender some things. Some friends. Some habits. Some ways of thinking. The old folks used to call it "stinking thinking," and God wants to deliver you from that. You cannot carry your old life and follow Jesus at the same time.
The Cross Means Sacrifice
Sacrifice means giving up something you may not want to give up. And it is not always about money. It is your time, your talent, your energy. Everything you have, God allowed you to have it. The Bible says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6). Everything moving in your life is moving by the power of God.
The Cross Means Obedience
Jesus did not have to die on the cross. He said, "Let this cup pass." But He was obedient to His purpose. There will be things God asks you to do that you may not want to do. But the Bible is clear: obedience is better than sacrifice. If God says go, you go. If God says put it down, you put it down.
The Cross Means Dying to Self
Self always wants what it wants, and it wants it now. It does not want to pray, fast, read the Word, or go to church. Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ." Crucifixion is not comfortable. But dying to self is how God grows you.
The Cross Means Letting Go of Comfort
The church has gotten too comfortable. The men and women of God who came before us worshiped in homes, in shacks, in parking lots, with no air conditioning and barely any fans. They did not need a fancy building. They needed God. Matthew 16:24 says, "Take up your cross." Growth requires resistance. Just like in a gym, the resistance is what makes you stronger.
What Is Your Cross?
Everyone's cross is different. Your cross may be forgiving someone who hurt you deeply. It may be letting go of a habit that is holding you back. It may be stepping into a calling that scares you. It may be choosing obedience over convenience.
The key question is: what is standing between you and a closer walk with God? What are you carrying right now? Is it pain, unforgiveness, jealousy, or entitlement? Or are you carrying the fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, and long-suffering?
You cannot follow Christ without carrying something. So choose what you carry wisely.
What Does Jesus Mean by "Sitting Down First"?
In Luke 14:28, Jesus asks, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost?" Before a builder builds, he sits down. He pauses. He evaluates. He figures out what it will take to finish.
Jesus is saying the same thing about your spiritual life. Before you make a move, sit down with God. Seek Him first. Proverbs 24:3 says, "By wisdom a house is built." You need a God plan, not just your own plan.
Why You Need a God Plan, Not Just Your Own Plan
A lot of people set goals and make plans without ever seeking God. And when things do not work out the way they imagined, they quit. They feel like failures. But Psalm 37:23 says God orders the steps of committed people. He cannot order your steps if you never get quiet long enough to seek Him.
Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Seek God before you start the business, before you make the move, before you sign anything. Get a God plan. And if you got a God plan, it is going to work. His Word will not return to Him void.
What Happens When You Start But Do Not Finish?
Jesus warned about people who start building but never finish. They begin with excitement but lack commitment. A half-built tower represents:
Is Discipleship Just About Believing in God?
A lot of people believe in God. You hear it at award shows. You see it in public statements. But believing is only part of it. John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me." First Peter 2:21 says Christ left us an example to follow.
Discipleship means following, not just believing. It means:
What Is the Reward for Counting the Cost?
When you count the cost and follow Jesus wholeheartedly, something happens. Your faith deepens. Your character strengthens. Your purpose becomes clearer. Your life bears fruit. Your walk becomes powerful.
And through all of it, God promises He will never leave you. Not through loss, not through pain, not through sickness, not through heartbreak. He said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). That is a warranty better than any insurance policy, any job benefit, or any earthly relationship. He is with you in the bed while you are crying. He sees every tear. He knows every hidden struggle. And He is saying, do not quit.
Life Application
This week, take time to actually sit down with God before you make your next move, whether it is a decision, a relationship, a habit you want to break, or a calling you have been avoiding. Ask Him for a God plan. Then take one specific step of obedience, even if it is uncomfortable.
Ask yourself these questions as you reflect:
Following Jesus was never meant to be easy or comfortable. In Luke 14:27-28, Jesus makes it plain: "And whosoever doth not bear His cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it." This is a call to honest, committed discipleship. Not a casual faith, but a counted one.
Why Does Jesus Talk About "Counting the Cost"?
We live in a world where people want blessings without obedience. They want salvation without surrender and purpose without sacrifice. But Jesus never promised a discount version of discipleship. He never offered convenience or comfort as part of the deal.
He said it Himself. No gray area, no confusion. If you want to follow Him, you have to count the cost first.
What Does "Bearing Your Cross" Actually Mean?
The cross is the cost. It is not just a symbol to wear around your neck. It represents something real and demanding.
The Cross Means Surrender
When you come into salvation, you have to surrender some things. Some friends. Some habits. Some ways of thinking. The old folks used to call it "stinking thinking," and God wants to deliver you from that. You cannot carry your old life and follow Jesus at the same time.
The Cross Means Sacrifice
Sacrifice means giving up something you may not want to give up. And it is not always about money. It is your time, your talent, your energy. Everything you have, God allowed you to have it. The Bible says, "Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord" (Psalm 150:6). Everything moving in your life is moving by the power of God.
The Cross Means Obedience
Jesus did not have to die on the cross. He said, "Let this cup pass." But He was obedient to His purpose. There will be things God asks you to do that you may not want to do. But the Bible is clear: obedience is better than sacrifice. If God says go, you go. If God says put it down, you put it down.
The Cross Means Dying to Self
Self always wants what it wants, and it wants it now. It does not want to pray, fast, read the Word, or go to church. Galatians 2:20 says, "I am crucified with Christ." Crucifixion is not comfortable. But dying to self is how God grows you.
The Cross Means Letting Go of Comfort
The church has gotten too comfortable. The men and women of God who came before us worshiped in homes, in shacks, in parking lots, with no air conditioning and barely any fans. They did not need a fancy building. They needed God. Matthew 16:24 says, "Take up your cross." Growth requires resistance. Just like in a gym, the resistance is what makes you stronger.
What Is Your Cross?
Everyone's cross is different. Your cross may be forgiving someone who hurt you deeply. It may be letting go of a habit that is holding you back. It may be stepping into a calling that scares you. It may be choosing obedience over convenience.
The key question is: what is standing between you and a closer walk with God? What are you carrying right now? Is it pain, unforgiveness, jealousy, or entitlement? Or are you carrying the fruits of the Spirit, including love, joy, peace, and long-suffering?
You cannot follow Christ without carrying something. So choose what you carry wisely.
What Does Jesus Mean by "Sitting Down First"?
In Luke 14:28, Jesus asks, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first and counteth the cost?" Before a builder builds, he sits down. He pauses. He evaluates. He figures out what it will take to finish.
Jesus is saying the same thing about your spiritual life. Before you make a move, sit down with God. Seek Him first. Proverbs 24:3 says, "By wisdom a house is built." You need a God plan, not just your own plan.
Why You Need a God Plan, Not Just Your Own Plan
A lot of people set goals and make plans without ever seeking God. And when things do not work out the way they imagined, they quit. They feel like failures. But Psalm 37:23 says God orders the steps of committed people. He cannot order your steps if you never get quiet long enough to seek Him.
Matthew 6:33 says, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Seek God before you start the business, before you make the move, before you sign anything. Get a God plan. And if you got a God plan, it is going to work. His Word will not return to Him void.
What Happens When You Start But Do Not Finish?
Jesus warned about people who start building but never finish. They begin with excitement but lack commitment. A half-built tower represents:
- Half-finished spiritual growth
- Half-hearted obedience
- Half-committed discipleship
- A half-developed faith
Is Discipleship Just About Believing in God?
A lot of people believe in God. You hear it at award shows. You see it in public statements. But believing is only part of it. John 10:27 says, "My sheep hear my voice, and they follow me." First Peter 2:21 says Christ left us an example to follow.
Discipleship means following, not just believing. It means:
- Walking where He leads, not where you want to go
- Doing what He commands, not what is convenient
- Living how He says to live
- Loving how He says to love, even your enemies
What Is the Reward for Counting the Cost?
When you count the cost and follow Jesus wholeheartedly, something happens. Your faith deepens. Your character strengthens. Your purpose becomes clearer. Your life bears fruit. Your walk becomes powerful.
And through all of it, God promises He will never leave you. Not through loss, not through pain, not through sickness, not through heartbreak. He said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). That is a warranty better than any insurance policy, any job benefit, or any earthly relationship. He is with you in the bed while you are crying. He sees every tear. He knows every hidden struggle. And He is saying, do not quit.
Life Application
This week, take time to actually sit down with God before you make your next move, whether it is a decision, a relationship, a habit you want to break, or a calling you have been avoiding. Ask Him for a God plan. Then take one specific step of obedience, even if it is uncomfortable.
Ask yourself these questions as you reflect:
- What cross am I being called to carry right now, and have I been avoiding it?
- Is there an area of my life where I have been seeking blessings without obedience?
- What half-built tower in my spiritual life do I need to return to and finish?
- Have I sought God first before making my plans, or have I been building without counting the cost?
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