The Price

The Cost of Walking with God: A Call to Surrender.

To those who yearn to walk closely with God, know this: such a journey is not embarked upon lightly. It demands a price—one that requires a complete surrender of all that stands in opposition to His holiness. As Jesus Himself declared in Matthew 16:24-26,

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Our fallen, carnal nature is drawn toward sin, enticed by fleeting pleasures and corrupt desires. Yet, God’s way is the way of holiness—a path that requires rejecting the works of the flesh. To walk with Him, we must lay aside every indulgence that defiles the soul. Smoking, drinking, reveling, cursing, theft, fornication, adultery, hatred, gossip, and all other acts contrary to the Word of God must be forsaken.

Jesus also warned in Matthew 7:14,

"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

 

The path to holiness is indeed narrow, and it demands a willingness to relinquish the comforts and sins that entangle us. It requires self-denial, discipline, and often, pain. Consider yourself crucified with Christ. 

But take heart, for the price we pay is incomparable to the reward we gain. Paul assures us in Romans 8:18,

"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."

The temporary struggles and sacrifices we endure now will pale in comparison to the eternal joy awaiting us. In the presence of God, there will be no remembrance of tears or pain—only everlasting peace and rejoicing. As Revelation 21:4 promises,

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

So, count the cost, embrace the sacrifice, and take up your cross. For the price of walking with God leads to the ultimate reward: an eternity with Him, where joy and holiness will abound forevermore.

I choose Jesus Christ.