The Cost of Discipleship

It’s significant that the word for “witness” in the Biblical New Testament comes from the same root word as “martyr” (martureo).  To be a witness for, or, a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly business.

In every era and place a certain amount of courage (measured in cost) is needed to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  Jesus Himself said, “If any man (person) will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross (pay the cost) daily and follow me” (Biblical book of the New Testament, Luke 9:27).  Outer and physical costs vary with time and location; inner and spiritual cost is always the same—the denial of “self” (i.e., the “me, my, mine” principle), frequently spoken of as “crucifixion”.

In every area of the world where the church is growing mightily:  First it was China, now Japan, Iran (and many of the Muslim nations), Nigeria, South Africa and in most other nations of the world save the “western world” and America in particular, followers of Jesus Christ pay a high cost for their “witness”.

 The corollary seems to be:  the higher the cost for one’s “witness”, the greater the vitality and growth of the church.  Correspondingly, in the western world, perceived costs are not so high, hence the stagnation of the church.  If your faith in Jesus Christ does not at least cause moments of awkwardness, whether on the job, within your larger family, or, the community where you live, you probably need to re-examine the foundations of your faith.  If Jesus stayed in “hot water”, mainly with religious authorities, for walking as the Father would have Him walk, doesn’t common wisdom suggest His contemporary followers would be in for more of the same?