Salvation is free; following Jesus will eventually cost you everything. As Jesus’ ministry on earth was nearing its end He would speak to his followers about his death and resurrection. All of a sudden it wasn’t that cool to follow Jesus anymore.

Luke 9:23-26 NIV

23 “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

It’s easier to be a member of a church than it is to be a follower of Jesus, because there will come a time when you will be required to take up your own cross in order to continue following Him. Eventually the direction that you’re seeking for your life will be in stark contrast to the direction in which Jesus wants to lead you. I know that as you read today’s Bible verses it would seem like Jesus is asking you for far too much. But the truth is that he’s really not asking you for anything as much as he is attempting to warn you. To warn you not to invest all your energy and time in things you’re eventually going to lose anyway.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

With the warning Jesus also makes a promise. Yes, in order to follow Jesus you will have to sacrifice some things, things that you’re eventually going to lose anyway.
Every day you will be confronted with choices between good and bad. Others are choices between my wishes, aspirations and desires and following Jesus. If you choose not to give them, up at the end you will discover that you actually gave up your life for nothing. But if you’re willing to give up all these things that when all is said and done amount to nothing, the promise is that you will have actually saved your life.

It’s Simple, following Jesus will cost you something. Refusing to follow Him will cost you everything.

Lord Jesus, you are more valuable to me than anything in the world. After all, you paid a very high price to save me. Let my life be about one thing and one thing only, following you.