The Cost of Following Christ

In the beginning of my walk with Jesus, I had a mentor that asked me a question that has followed me constantly as I have navigated the messy middle of faith and sanctification:

“Do you understand the cost of following Christ?”

At the time, in my own (immature) opinion, I thought that I did understand to some degree. I’d learned the cost of NOT following Christ, and I thought it was all the same.

However, as I’ve matured, my understanding on the matter has changed.

The cost of following Jesus is different than what they put in instagram bios or aesthetic quotes for your phone background.

When I was first saved by Jesus, I was sure that my passion and zeal for the Lord was the same as spiritual maturity. I was arrogant in my words and actions, completely sure that I had everything figured out. I didn’t have nearly as much fear of the Lord as I should have.

And my immaturity, at different times, cost me greatly—and in turn, started to teach me the real price of following Christ. Lonely seasons that stripped so much away that I had to actually face what I was running to that wasn’t Christ. Each time my flaws are revealed, I have choices to make—walk into the fires of purification or dwell in the past darkness that once gripped my soul.

I lost friends, said no to opportunities, left relationships and lived on less than I ever imagined as the price became clearer. And yet—the hardships, the parts where I genuinely felt a deep sense of suffering and like I couldn’t hear His voice were the most defining seasons that matured my faith and grew my love for Him.

I knew the cost of not following Christ when He rescued me.

But now I am understanding more and more the cost that also comes with following Him: My desires. My flesh. My pride. My self-reliance. The idea I had of ministry and leadership. What I thought my life should look like. Comfort. My insecurities. “Faith,” that was truly impulsivity and humanity.

The cost has taught me so much more about what Paul writes in multiple places in the Word—that every loss is counted as gain for the Kingdom of God.

Maturity is such a painful, purifying process. It grows the kind of fruit that roots deep into your soul. I’m also finding that the cost is one I would pay again in a heartbeat. It cannot compare to what Jesus paid for me. It’s not meant to.

And yet, I think that the price of maturity is one that we must face. If there’s one thing I can press upon your heart today, Friend—it’s to slow down, face every part of the purification process and be willing to pay the price.

I think we are all prone to rushing into every single opportunity at hand instead of submitting to the process that must take place to be transformed by God. Our passion and zeal for Him are not inherently bad—but passion cannot outweigh wisdom, submission to solid leadership, nor can it take the place of proper education to live out our faith well.

Listen when He slows your pace.

Submit to healthy authority.

Live a life that honors Him.

Make learning and growth a lifestyle, not a momentary thought.

The little moments, the small choices of obedience measure up in the cost far more than any sacrifice, anything we could build Him.

Just ask King Saul. His haste and desire to please himself and men over the Lord cost him his crown, his sanity and eventually his life.

Ask Apollos. He was passionate, bold in his defense of Christianity, and even he had to take time to be molded and taught by wise Christians like Aquila and Priscilla. There was a price to be paid—likely his pride, among other things—But in doing so, he was a respected leader in the early church that grew into who the Lord called him to be.

You may be called to build, but the Lord may be asking you to grow in character first.

You may have a deep desire to teach, and the Lord may be placing you at the feet of leaders you must learn from.

You may be called to help reform corruption, but the Lord may first draw you into a season where your endurance is stretched and you learn to be consistent and honorable.

There is a cost to what we do and how we choose to follow Him.

What do you want to be said of your life, Friend? What do you want your Savior to see when you are with Him face to face?

Is the rush for applause, the chance to hang onto your own pride, worth it?

Or will you submit to the hand of the Lord?