Author: Fred Pruitt
Jesus says, “Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33).
As long as your heart and affections are on what you have, you cannot learn of the Lord, for they take your time and attention. When you really forsake all, then, and then only will Jesus have your time and attention. Other things will become secondary matters, and you will learn of Him and follow Him.
I often hear people talking about counting the cost. Let us do some counting and see just what it will cost to be a real follower of Jesus. You can buy salvation, but not with money. (Isa. 55:1). What is it going to cost you to buy salvation? First, you must have godly sorrow because you have sinned against a loving and just God; then you must repent and forever forsake all sin. When you do that, it will cost the fellowship of sinful friends. If you have stolen anything, you need to confess that and take it back or pay for it; if you cheat, swindle, or lie, give all that up; as well as all other forms of sin, then begin to walk honestly with God and with your fellowmen. In fact, you must become a righteous, sober, and godly person in this world.
You may say, the cost is too great, I cannot pay it. But listen just a moment, friend. Did you ever stop to think what the cost will be if you do not repent and serve God in this short life? It will cost you the eternal bliss of heaven, and it will mean severe punishment and torment throughout eternity in a Devil’s hell. We read of a man in the sixteenth chapter of Luke who would not pay the price while in this short life, and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torment. He prayed for a drop of water to cool his tongue, for he said, “I am tormented in this flame.” (It was real to him.) He was even denied a drop of water. Then he prayed for one to be sent from the dead to tell his brothers, so they would repent, pay the price and not go to that awful place of torture, but he was denied that, for they had Moses and the prophets. You can get your prayers answered in this life, but never after you go into the regions of the lost.
The cost of not serving God in this short life isn’t worth spending eternity in hell forever and ever. God says, “Come, let us reason together.” Dear reader, let your better judgment prevail. Hasten to the Saviour’s bleeding side, bear the reproach of the cross and receive righteousness, peace, and joy in this present Kingdom of God (Rom. 14:17), and the comfort of eternal bliss in the future abode.
