Making Sacrifices

Dear Victorious,

Jesus said that we are to "count the cost." So it seems that there is a cost to being a Christian. But how can we know what it costs? How do we go about the business of "counting the cost" as Jesus said it?

Adrienne A. - Newport News, VA

Dear Adrienne,

The Christian life involves hard work. It requires us to give up whatever endangers our relationship with God. It must run patiently, pacing ourselves such that we are continually engaged in an effective struggle against sin - with the power of the Holy Spirit. We will stumble - and not live effective Christian lives - if we look away from Him in order to look at ourselves or at the circumstances around us.

So the cost to be counted is likely to be different for each of us. Whatever stands in the way of my complete submission and obedience to God is the price that needs to be paid. And it could be anything.