One of the first things we ask about anything is, "How much is it? What does it cost?"
Well, what would it cost you to be a Christian? If a high-caste Hindu decides to follow Christ, he can no longer live in his Hindu home. It has cost him his home. Would it cost you your home to decide for Christ?
When an Orthodox Jew "converts" to Christianity, he becomes as one dead to his family. Would it cost you your family to be a Christian?
In China today, you cannot hold a good job and also be a follower of Christ. Would it cost you your job to follow Christ?
In Russia, an open confession of Christ is likely to be followed by a one-way ticket to a labor camp. Would it cost you your freedom to confess Christ?
There are places in the world, even today in our times, where it is as much as your life is worth to be known as a Christian. Would it cost you your life?
What if it did cost this much? The Apostle Paul wrote: "I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord... that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings." Phil. 3:8, 108Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)
10That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10).
Paul was one who had everything the world could offer. He was born a free citizen of Rome, was highly educated, and was in line for a high position in his own nation, but he counted it all "loss"! Going as a prisoner to Rome, he could say, "Bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God." Acts 20:23, 2423Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. 24But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:23‑24).
What will it cost you to follow Christ? That is not the real question. What will it cost you to reject Him? It will cost you your soul. It will gain you an eternity away from God, away from all light and joy, an eternity in darkness and despair—in short, in hell.
Have you counted the cost?