2 Samuel 24:24
‘However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will certainly buy it from you for a price; for I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.’
While salvation is free, there is a cost to following Christ. Jesus poses the question this way in Luke 14:28, "For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sitdown and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it?" That's a good analogy. One wouldn't begin a project unless one has the funds to complete it. So, also when we come to Christ, we have to weigh certain things.
What are some things to consider when deciding to follow Christ? Galatians 5:19-21a is a list of things to put aside: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts ofanger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing". This doesn't mean we are perfect at conversion, just that we have to be willing to let these go. Ask the Lord for help.
Part of walking with Christ is that He brings up issues to work on. We struggle with tolerating a coworker, we ask for help and He gives it. This never ends. He assists with one area and moves on to another when that is done.
We learn much about God in this process. I once thought God was angry and demanding, so I had much guilt. This was obviously not scriptural, for God is love. It took time for that to seep in. I now am nearly 45 years from conversion. I sense His love all day. I see it in many circumstances.
Now the cost is a pleasure to pay. I'm shedding selfishness and getting love in return. Not quite an even trade. In fact, we get riches in place of our bitterness and slavery. We are actually being rescued. Maybe it can be viewed as an entry fee. To get in the most wonderful place with great acceptance and love to see the greatest show on earth, we have to be willing to give things up.
The interesting part is that we aren't aware of 90 percent of that which needs fixing. Nor does He show us at once. It's usually small nudges here and there. He brings up the areas to focus on.
Our world becomes quite different. That which we once valued we are now embarrassed of. We wanted recognition, riches, winning, worldly prizes and so on. We now know that's the path of self and self indulgence and are aware that it's end isn't good. These things were difficult to sacrifice, but now are easy. The cost doesn't feel like a cost any more.
Thank You, God that You required us to give up those things. They were harming us. We didn't know it then. We do now and are happy to be rid of them. Thank You.