Is The Cost Worth It?

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek." Romans 1:16 Some keep quiet about their faith because speaking about Jesus is not "politically correct." They fear what people will think of them if they say anything about him or about their faith in him. Jesus Christ died for you publicly. He was stripped of his clothes and hung on a cross beaten and bloodied, publicly. For you. How can you be afraid to speak of him? "Therefore whoever confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 10:32-33 Yes, there is a cost. Most of the people you know will not want to hear it. And some, even among your relatives and friends, will reject you because of it. The Gospel is not a Gospel of cheap grace, it is costly. The heart truly dedicated to Christ will be willing to endure whatever he must for him. After being beaten and thrown into prison, Paul and Silas were heard singing praises to God at midnight. Oh the depth of understanding that enabled them to do that! “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed." Acts 16:25-26 What did they know that many of us don't “get?” Paul had been given a glimpse of heaven, and after that no one could shut him up. Even in a dark, dank prison, he was singing praises to God. His glimpse of heaven propelled him to heartfelt praise no matter what his circumstances. Think back on the times when God intervened in your life in an obvious way, and don't forget the wonderful things he has done in your life. Appreciate them. Do not let the opinions of others cause you to deny him before men by being silent about him. You will be spending eternity with him, not with the ones who have rejected you on earth. Set your eyes on HIM. Jesus Christ has forewarned us that the world will reject us. That's something we must simply accept, and decide to follow him no matter what. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:34-37 The call is to total surrender, no matter the cost. This is not a light thing - we're talking about the King of the universe, the Lord who created all that is, who calls men and women into a relationship with himself, knowing that hell will do everything in its power to prevent them. For those who are willing - no matter what -- there is this promise: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 Yes, there is a cost - but it's not even worthy to be compared to the glory to come. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time ARE NOT WORTHY TO BE COMPARED with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18 Is it worth it? Oh yes, a thousand times yes! We are investing this short life for the glories of eternity.