Seeking Truth in Today's Troubled World

Following Jesus Christ is a profound and life-changing decision, one that demands a personal cost for those who choose to be His disciples. Throughout the Bible, Jesus Himself clearly defines what it means to be His follower, emphasizing the sacrificial nature of this commitment. From counting the cost to embracing suffering and renouncing worldly attachments, the call to follow Christ is not one to be taken lightly. This essay will explore the personal cost of following Jesus Christ, as well as the warning against being a lukewarm Christian, drawing directly from Scripture. 

The Call to Discipleship: A Radical Commitment 

In the Gospels, Jesus offers a stark portrayal of what it means to be His disciple. One of the most direct teachings on the cost of following Christ is found in the Gospel of Luke: 

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, NIV). 

Here, Jesus uses hyperbole (exaggeration for emphasis) to communicate the radical nature of discipleship. He does not literally call His followers to hate their family members, but rather to place Him first, above all other relationships. The metaphor of “carrying a cross” signifies the willingness to endure suffering, sacrifice, and even death in following Christ. Jesus makes it clear that being His disciple involves a complete reordering of one’s priorities and allegiances. 

Similarly, Jesus warns potential followers to count the cost before deciding to follow Him. In the same passage from Luke, He says: 

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’” (Luke 14:28-30, NIV). 

This teaching underscores the importance of understanding that following Christ is not just a momentary decision but a lifelong commitment. Jesus does not want His followers to be impulsive, but rather to fully grasp the sacrifices required in following Him. 

Denial of Self: Putting Christ Above All Else 

Another significant aspect of the personal cost of following Jesus is the call to self-denial. Jesus tells His disciples: 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23, NIV). 

To deny oneself means to relinquish personal desires, ambitions, and even basic comforts for the sake of the Gospel. This self-sacrifice is not a one-time event but a daily act of choosing Christ over the world. The call to “take up the cross daily” speaks to an ongoing, intentional choice to live in accordance with God’s will, even when it leads to discomfort, persecution, or hardship. 

Suffering and Persecution: The Price of Discipleship 

In the New Testament, it is clear that following Jesus often leads to suffering and persecution. Jesus warned His disciples of this reality: 

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you” (John 15:18-19, NIV). 

Christians are called to bear witness to Jesus’ teachings, which may put them at odds with prevailing cultural values, ideologies, and social expectations. The apostle Paul reinforces this truth in his letters, acknowledging that persecution is an inevitable part of following Christ. He writes: 

“In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12, NIV). 

The suffering that Christians endure is not always physical, though it can be. It can also manifest in social rejection, mockery, or the sacrifice of personal ambitions and desires. However, Christians are encouraged to find joy in these trials, knowing that they are participating in the suffering of Christ, which ultimately leads to eternal glory (Romans 8:17). 

The Cost of Worldly Attachments 

To follow Jesus means to loosen one’s grip on material possessions and worldly success. Jesus teaches: 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19-20, NIV). 

The Christian life calls for a detachment from materialism and a focus on spiritual treasures. This principle is echoed in Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler: 

“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21, NIV). 

The rich young ruler’s inability to part with his wealth highlights the challenge many face in putting Christ above material gain. For followers of Jesus, the personal cost involves not only the willingness to give up possessions but also to reorient one’s life toward serving God and others, rather than pursuing personal wealth or status. 

Lukewarm Christianity: A Warning to the Church 

In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus issues a strong warning to the church in Laodicea, condemning their lukewarm faith: 

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth” (Revelation 3:15-16, NIV). 

Lukewarm Christianity is characterized by complacency, indifference, and a half-hearted commitment to Christ. The Laodicean church represents a spiritual state where believers are neither fully devoted to Christ nor openly opposed to Him. Instead, they are content with a comfortable, middle-ground faith that demands little sacrifice or transformation. Jesus’ warning to the Laodiceans serves as a cautionary message for the church today. A lukewarm faith is not acceptable to God; it reflects a lack of wholehearted devotion and an unwillingness to pay the personal cost of true discipleship. 

A lukewarm Christian may attend church, say the right things, and outwardly appear religious but lacks the radical commitment and self-sacrifice that Jesus demands. They may love Jesus to a certain extent but are unwilling to let go of their attachments to the world. Jesus calls His followers to be “hot” or “cold”—fully committed or fully opposed—because indifference is a sign of spiritual stagnation and apathy. 

Conclusion: The Cost Is Worth It 

While following Jesus Christ requires a personal cost—whether it is the denial of self, enduring suffering, or releasing worldly attachments—the rewards are immeasurable. Jesus promises eternal life to those who follow Him with a sincere heart, and He assures them that their sacrifices will not go unnoticed: 

“Whoever has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29, NIV). 

Discipleship is not a call to comfort, but a call to radical transformation and obedience. The cost is high, but the gain is eternal. As the church today reflects on these truths, it must heed the warning against being lukewarm, embracing instead a wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ, fully aware of the personal cost, yet fully trusting in the eternal rewards that await. 

~JH