Devotional – The Queen Life – Day 12

Have you ever heard the saying: “only salvation is free”? What if I told you that this statement is not true? Actually, there is a high cost associated with salvation. Together, let us explore Counting the Cost. When God created humans,  He gave the gift of “free will”; this means we get to choose whether we live life our way, or by God’s design. The reason for choice is because He desires to share a relationship with us which is built on mutual grounds. He could have made us to only do what He says, but then we would be puppets, with a Puppet Master.

Instead, our Creator gave us the gift of His Word by impressing upon man’s spirit inspiring them to record His words and teachings to be written down creating the Bible. These sacred words serve to teach and instruct us how we should live, and reveal the reward available when we choose to follow God. In essence then when we say yes to God we are choosing to give up living on our own terms and choosing God’s version of life. In Scripture Jesus teaches the reward of following Him.

A man came to Jesus and asked, Teacher,  what good thing must I do to have eternal life?
Jesus answered,  why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have eternal life, obey the laws

St. Matthew 19: 16

The story continues; the man tells Jesus that he already obeyed the laws of God; then Christ told that if he desired to be more perfect he should sell  his earthly possessions, give the money to the poor and follow Him. (St. Matthew 19:21). From Scripture, we learn that the cost of following Christ would be total surrender; releasing what we think we know, what we think is important to follow the teachings of Christ, and be obedient to God on a higher level. Herein confirms the truth about the statement I made earlier that says salvation is not free.

Choosing to follow God, and live solely for His purpose undoubtedly comes with a cost; it requires us saying that we desire to please Him over pleasing other persons; it involves intentionally seeking after God, indulging in the teaching in His Word, the Bible. It requires being obedient, much like Abraham who listened for God’s specific instructions and responded accordingly in expressing faith in God.

During Jesus’s ministry, His Disciples had the privilege of being taught by Him; they had the Word of God in the flesh. In being curious about the reward he would receive for following Jesus, Peter said to Him:

Peter said to Him, we left everything we had to follow you. So what will we have?

St. Matthew 19:27

Jesus shares the Good News with Peter; He said:

…when the time of the new world comes, the son of man will sit on his great  and glorious throne,  and I can promise that you who followed me will sit on twelve thrones and judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

St. Matthew 19:28

There is a great reward for those who faithfully follow Christ; there is also the reality of the challenges we face when we try to do what is right; obeying the commandments of God and offering ourselves as living sacrifices is not always easy. I know for me, I definitely need God’s help in order to walk righteously and be totally obedient. Jesus knew this beforehand, and as such He stated:

This is something that people cannot do, but God can do anything

St. Matthew 19:26

So Christ in His wisdom told us exactly what would be needed in order to accomplish walking the new path- the way to eternal life. He also shared how we can do it well. In Counting the Cost of following God it is releasing ways of the old path (2 Corinthians 5:17); rejecting the desires of the flesh; seeking the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness (St. Matthew 7:7) , being obedient to God on new levels, and asking for God’s help at every step of the journey. (Proverbs 3:5-6)..

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.

St. Luke 9:23

The QUEEN LIFE is about being confident that all we would owe for our trespasses is Paid in Full; in Counting the Cost of following Christ here is great reward. We are assured that Jesus made it well with our souls; we have already won, and eternal life is ours to have and to hold. All that remains is for us to walk faithfully and obediently with God Who is willing and able to help us as we strive to live pleasingly for His glory… the cost has been counted and it is well worth it.