Ok, here it is. We are going to discuss the cost. Salvation is free, yes. We only need to accept the gift of salvation to become Christians. But the cost to know Christ is much different.
“7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law,” – Philippians 3:7-9 (ESV)
You see what Paul gave up? He was considered great for all that he had accomplished. He was law abiding. He, by all he had done and accomplished prior to his relationship with Christ, had everything. He wanted for nothing, yet when he was given the gift of salvation, he gave it all up even to the point of imprisonment and death.
But what for, he had the gift, why turn completely to God and give up everything he had gained on earth?
“9…but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:9-11 (ESV)
And there is the why. Paul was seeking righteousness in Christ, not in man.
The cost of knowing Christ is higher than we imagine. Yes salvation is the free gift graciously given by Jesus Christ to all who will receive it. But knowing Christ is much more costly. In Mark 10:17-31 the rich man comes to Jesus and asks about the cost of eternal life. When Jesus tells him the true cost, he turns and walks away not willing to pay. We must give up all of our worldly gains to truly surrender and know Christ.
Are you willing to pay the cost to know Christ? What will you willingly give up? I wonder if we really know and embrace the cost to know Christ?
Trevor's Thoughts 