Church of God, New World Ministries

‘But I Didn’t Count The Cost’

How many of us have said this after making bad decisions in marriage, job or finances? The most crucial area where counting the cost is necessary, though, is one most people take far too lightly – answering God’s calling.

If you were to build your own home, how would you begin? Would you ask qualified people for advice? Would you seek a reputable building contractor? Would you carefully consider the substantial financial responsibility? In other words, you would count the cost?

Jesus Christ, before divesting Himself of His divinity, had to carefully consider the awesome cost. His mission was to take upon Himself the inherent weakness of a human body, highly susceptible to transgressing God’s holy law (Phil. 2:6-7). He had to live a perfect life, against all temptation, and then die a horrible death so that forgiveness of sin would be possible for human beings. He had to found the Church of God and instruct faithful followers in God’s way of life.

Jesus Christ succeeded perfectly. He built His own spiritual house, His called-out ones, His New Testament Church (Heb. 3:1-6). He became the chief cornerstone in the structure God is using to prepare the way for the wonderful New World to come!

Jesus knew He could fail. Yet, for the sake of billions of humans who do not yet appreciate His efforts, He was willing to risk all.

Today, God is working with a small group of chosen servants – firstfruits-- to complete the building atop the foundation Jesus Christ laid (Eph. 2:9-22).

True Christians are involved in a great Work that twill literally save this world, and help make it possible for the rest of mankind to be converted and born into God’s universe-ruling Family!

Perhaps God is calling you to help construct that spiritual building. But, just like Jesus Christ, you must seriously count the cost before committing yourself to have a hand in God’s end-time work.

Jesus Christ knows what it means to count the cost. You, before you make this commitment, the biggest commitment you will ever make, must do the same. Jesus said: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it, lest, after he as laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).

Christ counsels us to put God first in our lives, everywhere and always (vs. 26-27). We must strive to live perfectly God’s way of outgoing love and concern for others, based on God’s Ten Commandments.

This is the cost in answering God’s calling – in becoming a true Christian. Not one in a thousand people today really understands what this means! If you’ve been reading our articles and listening to our sermons and do understand, perhaps it is time to do something about it.

It requires a genuine sense of urgency. It requires putting all other possible pursuits second. It requires forsaking all the false ways of this world (Rev. 18:4) and being willing to take whatever consequences that will come.

The commission of God’s Church is to announce to the world the good news of the coming Kingdom of God. Each member is also responsible, in his or her personal life, for exemplifying God’s perfect way of peace and joy to mankind at large.

Jesus Christ will never leave you while you serve Him in fulfilling this special calling (Heb. 13:5-6). Satan will try to discourage and dissuade you from finishing the job, sometimes through your own loved ones. But you will have carefully counted the cost in Christ, and you will be able to complete the task, and enjoy the benefits! But first, you must start. God wants you to know where He is building His holy house on earth today. If you respond to His calling you will understand!

 
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