I was shocked when I discovered that I wasn’t actually a disciple of Jesus—I was just a believer.
It hit me during a sermon years ago. The pastor asked a simple question. “Why did Jesus tell people who already believed in Him that they needed to become His disciples?”
I sat there, stunned. I’d been going to church for years. I read my Bible occasionally, and lived what I thought was a good Christian life.
But I’d never counted the cost of discipleship. I’d never made the commitment to follow Jesus with the same intensity as an Olympic athlete training for gold. Or a soldier preparing for battle.
That day changed everything. I discovered that grace without discipleship isn’t the complete gospel Jesus preached. True discipleship requires more than Sunday morning church attendance. It demands a radical transformation of how we live, love, and focus on in our lives.
Key Takeaways
- Being a believer doesn’t automatically make you a disciple. Even those who believed in Jesus needed to commit to discipleship.
- The cost of discipleship is real. Jesus explicitly taught about counting the cost before making the commitment.
- Discipleship requires daily discipline. Like an athlete or soldier, disciples must train consistently.
- The goal is Christlikeness. True discipleship aims to make you just like Jesus
- One Master only. You cannot serve many masters and be an authentic disciple
The Difference Between Believers and Disciples
Most Christians today don’t understand the cost of discipleship. They’ve confused believing with following. Let me show you what I mean.
In John 8:31-32 (KJV), Jesus said something remarkable:
“31 If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.”
Notice who Jesus was talking to. The text says He spoke “to those Jews which believed on Him.” These weren’t unbelievers. They already believed in Jesus. Yet Jesus told them they needed to become His disciples by continuing in His word.
This reveals a crucial truth. Believing in Jesus doesn’t automatically make you His disciple. Discipleship requires a deeper level of commitment and submission than many Christians have ever made.
Think about the multitudes who came to hear Jesus preach. Many believed in Him, but did they all become disciples? No. Discipleship involves a greater commitment than simply believing.
What True Discipleship Actually Means
Beyond Classroom Learning
A disciple isn’t just someone who learns about Jesus in a classroom setting. The original Greek word for disciple means “an adherent”. Someone who imitates their teacher completely.
Jesus illustrated this principle clearly in Luke 6:40 (KJV):
“The disciple is not above his master, but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master.”
The word “perfect” here means complete or fully trained. Jesus was saying that if you stay with Him long enough and complete your training, you can become just like Him.
The Training Mindset
Scripture compares discipleship to two intensive training programs:
1. Olympic Athletes (1 Corinthians 9). Paul compared following Jesus to training for the Olympics. Athletes get up every morning thinking about discipline. They watch their diet, control their bodies, and sacrifice other pleasures for their goal.
2. Special Forces Soldiers (2 Timothy 2:4). A soldier doesn’t get entangled in civilian affairs. They maintain singular focus on their mission and follow orders without question.
How many Christians wake up thinking: “I need to be disciplined today like an Olympic athlete in my walk with God”?
Most believers never approach their Christian life with this level of intentionality.
Jesus’ Teaching on the Cost of Discipleship
The Foundation: Count the Cost
Jesus never hid the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:25-33, He taught about counting the cost using two powerful illustrations.
The Building Project (Luke 14:28-30)
“28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”
The Military Campaign (Luke 14:31)
“Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consult whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?”
Jesus was saying: don’t make commitments you haven’t thought through. Don’t start what you can’t finish. The cost of discipleship is real, and you need to understand it before you commit.
The Specific Requirements
Jesus outlined exactly what discipleship would cost in Luke 14:26-27 (NKJV):
“26If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
The word “hate” here doesn’t mean to despise, but to love less. Jesus was teaching that to follow Christ, you must love Him more than anyone or anything else.
What the Cost of Discipleship Will Need
Your Relationships Must Take Second Place
This is where costly grace becomes real. Jesus demands first place in your heart, above family, friends, and even your own desires.
Matthew 10:37 (NKJV) clarifies this:
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
This doesn’t mean you stop loving your family. It means Jesus becomes your ultimate authority. When there’s a conflict between what Jesus wants and what others want, Jesus wins.
Many believers never become true disciples because they love others more than Jesus. They show this daily through their choices and priorities.
Your Comfort Zone Will Be Challenged
In Luke 9:57-58 (NKJV), someone told Jesus,
“57Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
Jesus was saying: following Me might be uncomfortable. You need to live with a “tent mentality” – ready to move when I call you, regardless of how settled you’ve become.
Everything in this world is temporary. Your house, your job, your comfortable situation – it’s all passing away. True discipleship means holding these things lightly.
Your Timing Must Submit to His
The most dangerous phrase in discipleship is “let me first…” Jesus encountered this repeatedly in Luke 9:59-62.
One person said, “Lord, let me firstgo and bury my father.” Another said, “I will follow You, but let me first go bid farewell to those at my house.”
Jesus’ response was clear: “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Procrastination in the name of family responsibility has caused millions to miss God’s plan for their lives. When Jesus calls, delay often means disobedience.
The Mindset Shift Required for Discipleship
From Consumer to Soldier
Most Christians approach church like consumers. They attend when convenient, take part when they feel like it, and expect the church to serve their needs.
Disciples think like soldiers. They understand they have a mission, a commander, and a duty that transcends their personal preferences.
One Master Only
Jesus said,
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” – Matthew 6:24 (NKJV)
You cannot have Jesus as Savior while someone else functions as your Lord. There’s only room for one master in your life.
Is the Cost of Discipleship Worth It?
The Promise of Transformation
Jesus promised that disciples who complete their training become just like Him (Luke 6:40). This isn’t just about heaven someday – it’s about experiencing His life, power, and character now.
The same Spirit that was in Jesus when He preached, healed the sick, and raised the dead is available to train you. He knows how to communicate with you, meet you where you are, and transform you into His likeness.
Divine Provision for Obedience
When you put Jesus first and follow His plan, He takes care of everything else. He is faithful to provide for those who seek His kingdom first.
This doesn’t mean life becomes easy, but it means you’re never alone in your struggles.
Eternal Perspective
Paul wrote that:
“The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” – Romans 8:18 (NKJV)
Any sacrifice you make to follow Jesus Christ pales in comparison to the eternal rewards of discipleship. You’re not just being trained for this life – you’re being prepared to rule and reign with Him forever.
Making the Decision to Count the Cost
Honest Self-Assessment
Before you commit to discipleship, ask yourself:
- What or who do I love more than Jesus?
- Am I willing to be disciplined daily in my spiritual life?
- Can I trust Jesus with my future, even if it’s uncomfortable?
The “Willing to Be Willing” Prayer
You don’t have to have perfect faith to start. You just need to be willing to let God work in your heart.
Pray: “Lord, I’m willing to be willing. Work in me to will and to do Your good pleasure.”
Understanding Your Calling
Not everyone has been called to be a preacher or missionary. But everyone can be a disciple in their sphere of influence. The question isn’t what you do, but how you do it and why you do it.
Conclusion
The cost of discipleship is real, but so is the reward. Jesus never promised it would be easy, but He promised it would be worth it. The question isn’t whether you can afford to pay the cost – it’s whether you can afford not to.
Are you ready to move from being just a believer to becoming a true disciple? The choice is yours, but remember – Jesus is looking for disciples who will go all the way with Him. Not just believers who want to go to church on Sunday morning and be assured that their sins are forgiven.
The cost of discipleship isn’t too high. It’s the pathway to the most fulfilling life possible – a life lived in partnership with Jesus Christ Himself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does the cost of discipleship mean I have to quit my job and become a missionary?
A. No. God has called people to every profession and walk of life. The cost of discipleship means being willing to do whatever God asks. Whether that’s staying in your current job or changing careers.
Q. What if my family doesn’t support my decision to follow Jesus?
A. Jesus warned this would happen. Focus on obeying God and trust Him to work in your family’s hearts. Often, your obedience to Christ will eventually win them over.
Q. How do I know if I’m ready to pay the cost of discipleship?
A. Start where you are. Begin with daily Bible reading, prayer, and asking God to show you His will. Discipleship is a journey, not a destination.
Q. Can I lose my salvation if I don’t become a disciple?
A. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. But true faith naturally leads to discipleship. If you’re truly saved, you’ll want to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Q. How do I maintain the discipline required for discipleship?
A. Like an athlete or soldier, you develop discipline through consistent practice. Start with small, daily commitments and build from there.
