How Much does Being a Christian Cost?

By Joe Slater     Eons ago, an elderly brother asked me, “what are my dues?” His physical condition and diminished mental capacity prevented his regular attendance, but on the one occasion his wife brought him to the assembly he wanted to make a financial contribution. I explained as best I could that the amount of any contribution wasn’t up to me or the church; it was between him and the Lord.     I used to be a member of a civic club. I knew exactly what the dues were to maintain my membership. But the Lord’s church isn’t a civic club. When I obeyed the gospel, nobody was standing there with his hand out to receive money. No one asked for my credit card. No one sent me an invoice.     Does it cost anything to be a Christian? No! and Yes! In one sense it costs you nothing; in another sense it costs you everything.     All the gold in Fort Knox couldn’t pay the interest on a down payment for salvation from sin. Jesus’ blood paid the atonement price; how do you put a dollar value on that? God certainly expects His people to finance His work, but we ought never to think of our contribution as purchasing a right relationship with God. Salvation really is by grace!     Yet Jesus Himself cautioned would-be disciples to “count the cost” before committing themselves. He spoke of self-denial and cross-bearing, concluding with these haunting words: “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26-33).     Upon obeying the gospel, one is made free from sin, but also becomes a slave of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18). The song is true: “I am mine no more!”

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Lakeside Church of Christ in Springfield, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://www.lakesidecoc.us/