Introduction: Following Jesus Is a Call to Commitment
Following Jesus Christ is the greatest invitation a human being can receive. It is an invitation to forgiveness, reconciliation with God, eternal life, transformation, purpose, fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and participation in the kingdom of God. But it is also an invitation to surrender.
In a generation where Christianity is sometimes presented primarily as a pathway to comfort, success, promotion, breakthrough, and material blessing, the words of Jesus challenge us to look more deeply at what it truly means to be His disciple. Jesus did not hide the cost. He spoke plainly about self-denial, the cross, obedience, sacrifice, perseverance, and faithfulness.
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” — Matthew 16:24
Following Jesus is free in the sense that salvation cannot be purchased with money, human achievement, religious performance, or good works. But following Jesus is costly because genuine discipleship requires surrender. Grace is free. Discipleship is costly. Christ paid the ultimate price for our redemption, but those who receive His salvation are called to surrender their lives to Him.
What Does It Mean to Follow Jesus?
To follow Jesus means much more than identifying as a Christian. It means allowing Christ to become the center of your life. A person can attend church, know Christian terminology, and carry a Bible while still resisting the lordship of Jesus.
Biblical discipleship means believing and trusting Christ, obeying His Word, learning His ways, imitating His character, submitting to His authority, loving what He loves, rejecting what He rejects, serving others, remaining faithful during trials, and continuing with Him throughout life.
Jesus did not simply invite people to admire Him. An admirer appreciates Christ and listens when convenient. A disciple follows Christ and obeys even when obedience is difficult. The call of Christ demands a response.
Jesus Never Hid the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus attracted large crowds, but He did not manipulate people by promising an easy life. In Luke 14, He explained that anyone who would not bear his cross and come after Him could not be His disciple. He was not discouraging people; He was preparing them to follow Him correctly.
People should not follow Christ merely because they expect immediate comfort. They should follow Him because He is Lord, because He is worthy, and because eternal life is found in Him. Christianity is not an arrangement where God gives us everything we want. It is a relationship in which Christ becomes Lord of our lives.
The Foundation: Salvation and Discipleship
The Bible does not teach that we purchase salvation through suffering. Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that salvation is God's gift, received by grace through faith, and not something human beings can boast about. Christ has already accomplished the work of redemption.
Yet Ephesians 2:10 explains that believers are created in Christ Jesus for good works. Grace saves us, and grace changes us. Discipleship is not an attempt to earn God's love; it is our response to God's love. We obey Him because He has already loved us.
The First Cost: Denying Yourself
Self-denial does not mean hating yourself, believing you have no value, or refusing every legitimate pleasure. It means refusing to place yourself at the center of your existence.
The natural person asks, “What do I want? What benefits me? What makes me comfortable?” The disciple asks, “What does Jesus want? What honours God? What does Scripture teach? How can my life serve God's purpose?” Self-denial means surrendering the throne of our lives to Christ. Jesus is no longer merely a helper. He is Lord.
The Second Cost: Taking Up Your Cross
The cross represents sacrifice, surrender, death to self, and identification with Christ. In the first century it was not a decorative symbol; it represented suffering and execution. Jesus used it to communicate the seriousness of following Him.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…” — Galatians 2:20
The cross challenges selfishness, pride, rebellion, sinful desires, and the obsession with personal recognition. Sometimes the cost is comfort, reputation, time, money, a relationship, or an opportunity. Sometimes it is forgiving, resisting temptation, or choosing obedience. The cross means Christ comes first.
The Third Cost: Following Jesus
Following Jesus means accepting His direction. Christianity cannot be reduced to believing certain facts while living independently of Christ. Luke 9:23 teaches that taking up the cross is daily.
Every morning, temptation, difficulty, and decision presents another opportunity to submit to, trust, and honour Christ. Following Jesus is both a decision and a lifestyle.
The Cost of Surrendering Your Own Will
One of the greatest battles in discipleship is the battle of wills. We want our plans, timing, and preferences, but Jesus teaches us to pray, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).
In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). Sometimes following Him means saying, “Lord, I wanted something else, but I choose Your will.” Surrender does not mean Christians have no dreams; it means those dreams are submitted to God's authority.
The Cost of Obedience
> “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
Biblical obedience becomes visible in our decisions. God may tell us to forgive when we want revenge, remain truthful when dishonesty would benefit us, remain pure when temptation is strong, give when selfishness says to keep, serve when we want recognition, or wait when we want immediate results. Obedience is costly because it trusts God's wisdom above our impulses.
The Cost of Leaving Sin Behind
Following Jesus requires repentance: turning from sin toward God. Romans 6:1–2 rejects the idea that grace permits believers to remain under sin's dominion. Christians can stumble and need correction, but genuine discipleship produces a new direction and an increasing concern for holiness.
We cannot make peace with what God calls sin. Obedience may require leaving an environment, habit, relationship, entertainment choice, business practice, or private behaviour that contradicts Scripture. It may be difficult, but holiness is worth the cost.
The Cost of Choosing Christ Above the World
> “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Matthew 16:26
Money, status, popularity, influence, and achievement are not automatically sinful. The issue is lordship. If wealth requires abandoning integrity, choose integrity. If popularity requires denying Christ, choose Christ. If influence requires compromising truth, choose truth. The world offers temporary rewards; Christ offers eternal treasure.
The Cost of Standing for Biblical Truth
Jesus said that the world hated Him before it hated His followers (John 15:18). This does not permit Christians to be rude or deliberately provocative, and not every disagreement is persecution. It does mean biblical convictions will sometimes conflict with popular culture.
A disciple needs humility and courage to say, “I love you, but I cannot compromise God's Word.” Truth must be communicated with love, but love must never become an excuse for abandoning truth.
The Cost of Following Jesus When People Reject You
Some may misunderstand, mock, criticize, or distance themselves from you because of your faith. Jesus, the disciples, and the early church all experienced rejection. Sometimes obedience makes us unpopular.
The decisive question is not, “Does everyone approve of me?” but “Does my life please God?” Galatians 1:10 challenges believers to seek God's approval rather than human applause.
The Cost of Following Jesus in Difficult Times
Faith is tested when prayers seem unanswered, finances are tight, doors close, people disappoint us, plans fail, or uncertainty continues. Following Jesus means remaining faithful when circumstances are confusing.
Faith is not merely trusting God when the answer is visible; it is trusting Him when the path is unclear. Like Habakkuk, the believer can choose to rejoice when circumstances appear barren. We follow Christ not because life is always easy, but because He is Lord.
The Cost of Forgiveness
Forgiveness can cost pride, emotional comfort, and the satisfaction of revenge. It does not mean pretending wrongdoing never happened, refusing healthy boundaries, or ignoring abuse or crime. It means refusing to let bitterness and revenge control the heart.
Christians release vengeance to God and pursue righteousness and peace where possible. The disciple trusts God's justice instead of being ruled by personal retaliation.
The Cost of Loving Others
Christian love is more than affection. It requires patience, humility, service, sacrifice, compassion, and sometimes loving confrontation. Jesus touched the rejected, welcomed repentant sinners, served His disciples, and showed compassion to the suffering. Following Him means learning to love people who may never benefit us in return.
The Cost of Serving God
Many people want platforms and titles; fewer want responsibility and unseen service. Jesus taught that the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
If God gives you influence, use it to bless. If He gives you a platform, communicate truth. If He gives resources, steward them responsibly. Kingdom greatness is measured through service rather than domination.
The Cost of Giving Your Time and Resources
Discipleship changes how we use time, money, skills, opportunities, relationships, knowledge, influence, and possessions.
“The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof…” — Psalm 24:1
Biblical stewardship involves wisdom, planning, generosity, diligence, and accountability. The question is not whether Christians may possess resources, but whether resources possess the Christian.
The Cost of Leaving Your Comfort Zone
Abraham left his country, Moses confronted Pharaoh, Joshua led Israel, the disciples left familiar occupations, and Paul travelled to proclaim the gospel. God's purpose often requires movement.
Comfort is not automatically sinful, but it must never become our master. Following Jesus may mean serving somewhere unfamiliar, beginning a ministry, sharing the gospel, helping someone in need, accepting a difficult assignment, or stepping into unexpected responsibility. Faith often grows when comfort ends.
The Cost of Putting God First
> “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness…” — Matthew 6:33
God should not be one item on a long list. He must be first in our decisions, values, relationships, finances, career, family, ambitions, and private life. When God becomes first, everything else finds its proper place.
The Example of the Early Disciples
Peter, Andrew, James, and John responded to Jesus and their lives changed direction. They did not understand everything immediately. They made mistakes and sometimes misunderstood Jesus, but they continued learning.
Discipleship is a process. Growth happens through teaching, correction, failure, service, prayer, suffering, and continued fellowship with Christ. You do not need to understand everything before beginning to follow; you need a willing heart.
The Apostle Paul and the Cost of Following Christ
Paul experienced imprisonment, persecution, rejection, hardship, and danger because of the gospel, yet remained faithful. In Acts 20:24, he expressed his determination to finish his course and ministry despite the difficulties ahead.
Paul did not measure life merely by comfort, but by faithfulness. The goal is not simply an easy life; it is faithfully completing the assignment God has given us.
The Difference Between Cheap Christianity and Biblical Discipleship
Cultural Christianity says, “Believe in Jesus, but remain completely in control.” Biblical discipleship says, “Believe in Jesus and surrender to His lordship.” Cheap Christianity emphasizes blessings without responsibility and seeks Christ mainly for what He provides. Discipleship embraces blessing and obedience because Christ Himself is worthy.
Jesus is not merely a solution to financial or family problems or a source of miracles. He is Lord, Saviour, and King, worthy of complete allegiance.
Does Following Jesus Mean Christians Must Suffer?
Christians should not deliberately seek pain or remain in dangerous or abusive situations because they think suffering is required. Yet Scripture teaches that faithful disciples may suffer because of their commitment to Christ.
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” — 2 Timothy 3:12
We should act wisely, responsibly, lawfully, and peacefully. But when obedience genuinely produces opposition, the disciple remains faithful.
What Jesus Promises Those Who Follow Him
Jesus promised eternal life, His presence, the Holy Spirit, spiritual fellowship, heavenly treasure, and that those who lose their lives for His sake will find them (Matthew 16:25).
We surrender temporary things and receive eternal realities; self-rule for Christ's lordship; sin for holiness; the world's approval for God's approval; temporary treasure for eternal treasure. The cost is real, but the reward is greater.
The Eternal Value of Following Jesus
A person may have wealth without peace with God, fame without eternal hope, or influence while losing the soul. Jesus' question forces us to reconsider success. Success is not merely what we accumulate; it is what we become before God.
A person can be wealthy or poor, famous or unknown, and remain faithful. The issue is not the size of possessions but the condition of the heart.
How to Count the Cost of Following Jesus
Luke 14 describes a builder who first calculates the expense. Before following Christ, understand that Christianity requires commitment.
Ask yourself: Am I willing to surrender my will, obey Scripture, leave sinful practices, forgive, endure rejection, serve without applause, and put God first? These questions reveal whether we are merely interested in Christianity or genuinely committed to Christ.
Practical Ways to Live as a Committed Disciple
1. Study the Bible consistently. Read Scripture personally, study carefully, pray over it, and apply it.
2. Develop a consistent prayer life. Use prayer to worship, confess, listen, seek wisdom, intercede, and surrender.
3. Obey what you already know. Do not request new instructions while ignoring what Scripture clearly reveals.
4. Practice repentance. When you discover that you are wrong, return to God and make the necessary changes.
5. Serve others. Christian maturity becomes visible through loving service.
6. Guard your influences. Your environment affects your thinking, so choose friendships and influences wisely.
7. Practice biblical stewardship. Manage time, money, abilities, and opportunities responsibly.
8. Share your faith with humility, wisdom, love, and respect.
9. Remain connected to other believers for encouragement, accountability, correction, and support.
10. Persevere. Do not abandon Christ because of one difficult season. Keep walking, praying, believing, and obeying.
Questions Every Christian Should Ask
Is Jesus truly Lord of my life? Do I obey only when it is convenient? What would I refuse to surrender? Has comfort become more important than obedience? Am I pursuing God's kingdom or using Christianity for personal ambition? Would I follow Jesus without applause? Would I remain faithful through delay? Do my private decisions agree with my public confession? Am I becoming more like Christ?
These questions are invitations to examination and growth, not condemnation. Spiritual examination exposes areas needing repentance and renewal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of following Jesus? It involves surrender, self-denial, obedience, cross-bearing, resisting sin, serving others, remaining faithful through trials, and putting Christ above personal desires.
Does following Jesus mean giving up everything? Not every Christian is commanded to abandon every possession or relationship, but every Christian must recognize Christ's lordship over everything and obey when He asks for a specific surrender.
Does discipleship mean Christians cannot enjoy life? No. Family, friendship, work, creativity, recreation, and God's creation are legitimate joys. The danger is allowing temporary pleasures to replace God.
Why did Jesus talk about carrying a cross? The cross communicated sacrifice, surrender, and dying to self—the seriousness of genuine discipleship.
Is suffering required for salvation? No. Salvation is God's gift received through faith. Suffering cannot purchase it, though Christians may suffer because of their faithfulness.
What if I have failed God? Run toward Him. Confess, repent, receive His forgiveness, make appropriate changes, and continue walking. Peter denied Jesus but was restored.
Can a Christian be successful and still follow Jesus? Yes. Success is not automatically sinful. The question is whether it has become an idol and whether the person remains faithful to God's principles.
How can I know whether I am truly following Jesus? Examine the direction of your life: growing trust, obedience, love, resistance to sin, Christlike character, and willingness to surrender.
Is following Jesus worth the cost? Yes. Temporary sacrifices cannot compare with the eternal value of knowing Christ. The Christian recognizes that Christ is worth it.
Conclusion: Jesus Is Worth the Cost
The cost of following Jesus is real. He called people to deny themselves, take up their cross, follow Him, obey, love, serve, live holy lives, persevere, and surrender. But He offers reconciliation with God, eternal life, forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, a new identity, purpose, eternal hope, and Himself.
The deeper question is not merely, “What will following Jesus cost me?” but “What will it cost if I refuse to follow Him?” What is worldly success worth if the soul is lost? The world says, “Protect yourself”; Jesus says, “Deny yourself.” The world says, “Live for yourself”; Jesus says, “Follow Me.”
The Christian life exchanges a temporary life centered on self for an eternal life centered on Christ. The cross, obedience, holiness, and faithfulness are costly, but Christ is worth it. We follow Him because He is the Way, because He is faithful, and because He is worthy.
A Final Call to Discipleship
If you have never genuinely surrendered your life to Jesus Christ, respond to His call. Do not merely admire Him—follow Him. Do not merely hear His Word—obey it. Do not merely identify as a Christian—become a committed disciple.
If you have become distracted, comfortable, spiritually cold, or divided in commitment, return wholeheartedly to Christ. Lay down your will, pride, fears, compromises, sinful habits, and whatever has taken God's rightful place. Say, “Lord Jesus, I choose to follow You.”
May your life become a testimony of genuine discipleship, faithful obedience, sacrificial love, and unwavering devotion to Jesus Christ. The road may be costly, but the destination is eternal. Jesus is worth the cost.
Key Bible Verses for Further Study
Matthew 16:24–27; Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:23–26; Luke 14:25–33; John 8:31–32; John 12:24–26; John 14:15; John 15:18–20; Romans 6:1–14; Romans 12:1–2; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:7–14; 2 Timothy 3:10–12; Hebrews 12:1–3; 1 Peter 2:21; and 1 Peter 4:12–16.
About the Author
Apostle Salako Adedamola is a preacher, teacher, and mentor committed to practical biblical teaching, Christian discipleship, spiritual growth, and faithful living.
Apostle Adedamola Salako
Founder of Apostle Salako Studios — pastor, recording artist, and teacher on faith, music, and stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
QWhat is the cost of following Jesus?
It involves surrender, self-denial, obedience, taking up one's cross, resisting sin, serving others, remaining faithful during trials, and putting Christ above personal desires and worldly priorities.
QWhat does Jesus mean by ‘deny yourself and take up your cross’?
He calls believers to remove self from the throne, surrender their will to Him, die to sinful self-rule, and accept the sacrifices involved in daily obedience.
QDoes following Jesus require sacrifice?
Yes. Genuine discipleship can cost comfort, approval, time, resources, relationships, or opportunities when these conflict with obedience to Christ.
QWhat does it mean to count the cost of discipleship?
It means understanding before committing that following Christ requires lifelong allegiance, obedience, repentance, service, perseverance, and putting God first.
QIs suffering part of following Jesus?
Christians should not seek suffering, but faithful obedience may bring opposition, rejection, or persecution. Believers are called to remain wise, peaceful, and faithful.
QCan Christians enjoy success and still follow Jesus?
Yes. Success is not inherently sinful. The issue is whether it becomes an idol and whether the believer maintains integrity and Christ's lordship.
QWhy is self-denial important in Christianity?
Self-denial removes personal desire from the center of life so that Christ's will, Word, and purposes guide the believer's decisions.
QHow can I become a committed disciple of Jesus?
Trust Christ, study and obey Scripture, pray consistently, practice repentance, serve others, steward your resources, remain in Christian fellowship, and persevere through difficulty.
QWhat does the Bible say about the cost of discipleship?
Matthew 16:24 and Luke 14:25–33 teach that disciples must deny themselves, carry their cross, follow Jesus, and count the cost of total allegiance to Him.
QIs following Jesus worth the sacrifice?
Yes. The temporary sacrifices of discipleship cannot compare with reconciliation with God, Christ's presence, eternal life, spiritual transformation, and heavenly treasure.
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