There are contradicting views out there concerning the cost of following Jesus. Some say that everything spiritual we receive is free. Or rather what they probably mean is that it’s paid for by someone else. Others will tell you that following Jesus and receiving His benefits will cost you everything. Which is right? 

I said these are contradicting views in the opening sentence. I suppose I should have said that they contradict one another at face value. What if, upon digging a little, we should discover there is an element of truth in both views? This is often the case with spiritual truths and the doctrines so many have fought denominational battles over. Many truths are larger than our one-tracked minds like to grapple with. But if we are willing to allow the Spirit to enlarge our thinking, sometimes we can get a glimpse of something God-sized in the truths we wrestle with. 

Both Concepts Are Biblical

For example, if we read the Bible we can find both of the above-mentioned concepts present—and yet somehow they must merge into one larger truth or we find that the Bible contradicts itself. 

Jesus told us to count the cost before we even take the first step in following Him in Luke 14:26-30. He also told those who are weary and heavy laden to come to Him and He will give them rest. Also, Paul describes a Gospel free from the works of the law to bring us justification because of the finished work of Jesus at Calvary. In fact, in Romans 4:4, he implies that this justification is a gift—and of course gifts are free. But James describes a Gospel in which our faith will produce works of various kinds—and works sound like a cost association to the justification received. 

Dividing The Word

So, how do we slice and dice this to make it make sense? We all probably have ways of looking at these things to make them come out right in our heads, but here are a few of my own thoughts: The Gospel is free, in the sense that everything that is of value is bestowed on us because of the work of Jesus. The cost Jesus speaks of, seems simply to be the worthless things of this world that we have come to value and to have to give them up in order to make room for His precious gifts. 

So, essentially, the deal is, that we give up our trash and God gives us His treasure. And the more trash we “pay” or get rid of, the more room we are creating for the true riches of heaven. Wherever God sees this space created for Him, He is faithful to fill it with eternal riches of many kinds. What a deal! You could say that it goes beyond being free, in that we are handing God things that have a negative value and are a liability, while He liberally pours things upon us that have infinite value and stability.

Perspective & Identity

The cost factor is entirely a perspective and identity issue. To the carnal man the cost is great—to the point that his nature must die daily. To the spiritual man, it is all graciously given by the marvelous work of Jesus. So, when our carnal nature rises to the surface, the cost of following Jesus will seem great—and even overwhelming at times. But when we walk by the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. And when the flesh is subdued and we walk freely in the Spirit, the work seems so easy.

This is the work James writes of. It is a work that flows out of a surrendered vessel by the power of the Spirit. It is not a carnal work that our carnal nature needs to strive for. Everything produced by the flesh is unacceptable before God, anyway. 

Conclusion

So, let’s allow the light of the Spirit to shine in our lives, showing us the trash we value so much, that takes up space God wants to fill. Let’s be willing and ready to hand it over. It’s the least we can do after all He has done. Such an investment will produce riches untold!