Surrender Will Cost You Something

My favorite pastor, author, and speaker is Kyle Idleman. He is the lead pastor at Southeast Christian Church in the city where I love, Louisville, Kentucky. In his book entitled not a fan, he makes the statement that, “Following Jesus will cost you something. Following Jesus will always cost you something.”

The inference os his statement is that if your Christianity is not costing you something, you may need to re-evaluate where you really are with the Lord and your salvation.

What kind of costs?

My wife and I have counseled a younger couple intermittently for the last two or three years. They are approaching forty years old, and have three daughters at home. Recently we’ve begun counseling the husband and wife individually.

In my weekly work with the husband, the struggle he is dealing with is no different than what the rest of us deal with. The only difference is, he has more at stake.

The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler

“As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.”

“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”

“Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

“At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.”

“The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
MARK 10: 17-27 NLT

The stakes were pretty high

In this past week’s session, I really pressed in on my client. I insisted we take an honest look at his life’s priorities. And of his relationship with Jesus. Prior ot this recent session he had provided all the right answers when we had discussed those two things. But now for the first time, the stakes have gotten high enough that he’s stopping to take notice. His dilemma is this:

Side A

His wife gave him an ultimatum. She will seek divorce if he doesn’t get his priorities right, get serious with Jesus, and start putting his her and their three kids first She’s not the type of wife who has made that type of idle threat time after time over the years. No, this was totally uncharacteristic of her. So, it hit her husband pretty hard when he realized how serious she had become and how high the stakes had become.

Side B

He’s clearly aware of what is at stake if he chooses to yield to her more-than-reasonable demands. Highly successful business owner. long-term financially stable, socially very well-connected. Former professional athlete. You can guess the rest of the story, right?

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 corinthians 4:18 niv

A choice we each must make

Every one of us must face the same dilemma my friend has had to face. Whether we have much or little in the eyes of the world, our flesh is still intrinsically drawn to self and to the indulgences of the flesh. We must make the most important decision in our life: to die to self so that we might live forever with our Lord.

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