How Grace is Free, But Costs Everything
February 2016
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
- Matthew 16:24
REFLECT
Often today in the American church, there is an emphasis on what the Gospel can give you. God will give you health and wealth beyond measure. God will restore all your broken relationships. God gives you a free ticket to heaven.
It is one of the great truths of this universe that God is for those who are found in Christ, and it is equally true that the gift of eternal life through Christ is given without cost. We don’t earn the favor of God by being “good people,” but neither is the cost of the grace we have been given cheap.
REWIND
Let’s take a moment and switch the perspective on what grace costs. We know that it costs us only the acceptance of the goodness of God in our lives, but what did it cost God? In a word, everything.
The love God has for us moved Him to the depths of His soul to such a great degree that He refused to sit on the sidelines and watch us fall into hopelessness and despair. He acted, and it cost Him the death of Jesus.
Many of you in Reveal are parents, and those that aren’t have certainly been the children of parents. Imagine watching your child die, knowing that you could stop it at the literal snap of a finger…and choosing not to because of love.
How great a love must He have for us that He would sit still in the heavens and watch Jesus die on the cross.
REACT
This is the cross Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16 when He said that following Him meant take up a cross. This is no piece of jewelry you can show to your friends.
This cross hurts.
This cross is inconvenient.
This cross is seen to be shameful by some.
This cross is unapologetically motivated by love.
So let’s get down to brass tacks. What does it mean for you to take up your cross and follow Jesus? There is no one answer that will fit for everyone, but here are some questions to get your mind working in the right direction:
Together, let’s choose to deny ourselves and follow Christ.
- Matthew 16:24
REFLECT
Often today in the American church, there is an emphasis on what the Gospel can give you. God will give you health and wealth beyond measure. God will restore all your broken relationships. God gives you a free ticket to heaven.
It is one of the great truths of this universe that God is for those who are found in Christ, and it is equally true that the gift of eternal life through Christ is given without cost. We don’t earn the favor of God by being “good people,” but neither is the cost of the grace we have been given cheap.
REWIND
Let’s take a moment and switch the perspective on what grace costs. We know that it costs us only the acceptance of the goodness of God in our lives, but what did it cost God? In a word, everything.
The love God has for us moved Him to the depths of His soul to such a great degree that He refused to sit on the sidelines and watch us fall into hopelessness and despair. He acted, and it cost Him the death of Jesus.
Many of you in Reveal are parents, and those that aren’t have certainly been the children of parents. Imagine watching your child die, knowing that you could stop it at the literal snap of a finger…and choosing not to because of love.
How great a love must He have for us that He would sit still in the heavens and watch Jesus die on the cross.
REACT
This is the cross Jesus spoke of in Matthew 16 when He said that following Him meant take up a cross. This is no piece of jewelry you can show to your friends.
This cross hurts.
This cross is inconvenient.
This cross is seen to be shameful by some.
This cross is unapologetically motivated by love.
So let’s get down to brass tacks. What does it mean for you to take up your cross and follow Jesus? There is no one answer that will fit for everyone, but here are some questions to get your mind working in the right direction:
- What needs do you see in your community that you can help to meet?
- What ministry do you feel like Reveal should have that it doesn’t? [HINT: Usually this type of passion is a call to leadership]
- What type of injustice or wrong stirs you to anger, or causes tears to come to your eyes?
- If you had the chance to show Jesus one thing and ask for His help with it, what would it be?
Together, let’s choose to deny ourselves and follow Christ.
