I have often sensed that Western Christianity’s consistent failure in the area of discipleship is rooted in the fact that there are so few actual “disciples” of the person of Jesus Christ within the movement. This isn’t to say that folks aren’t “Believers” (i.e. in the man, Jesus or His teachings), or that they do not take their faith seriously, it’s just that our westernized sensibilities aren’t particularly compatible with the concept of completely surrendering our lives to anything outside of ourselves.
While we understand that the original disciples sacrificed everything to follow Jesus, we reason that our particular brand of religious practice is an acceptable substitute. After all, we’ve made a “decision for Christ,” we’ve been baptized, we regularly attend, we give offerings (maybe even tithe), we do our daily devotions, we partake of sacraments, we study our bibles, we go to worship concerts, we wear religious t-shirts, we apply religious bumper stickers to our SUVs, and we’re “not ashamed” to let folks know that we are Christians. Some even speak in tongues, prophesy, and see miracles happen. But none of that necessarily equates to the discipleship that Jesus describes.
He said that whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves, taking up their cross daily, and following Him (Luke 9:23). Denying ourselves looks like forfeiting the “way that seems right” to us (Prov.14:12) in favor of the way that is exceedingly, abundantly more than we could ask for or imagine (Eph.3:20). It’s not trying to gain our lives, but yielding our lives to Him and His purposes (Matt.16:25). It’s doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, and esteeming others above ourselves (Phil.2:3). It’s taking every thought captive, and making it obedient to Christ (2Cor.10:5) and loving the way He loves (John 13:34).
It’s refusing to be conformed to the pattern of this world and allowing our minds to be renewed (Rom.12:2), so that His character would be manifest in us (Gal.5:22-23). Ultimately, it’s being transformed into the image of Christ (2Cor.3:18), so that His light would shine upon the darkest corners of His creation.
The decision to surrender our lives (i.e. take up our cross) and “follow” Jesus is not a one-time thing, it’s an everyday process (Luke 9:23), and a journey that lasts a lifetime (Phil.1:6), which is completely at odds with our cultural and religious paradigms. We prefer to think of ourselves as, “saved, sanctified, and going heaven,” which implies that the work has already been completed, and we’re just waiting for the bus to take us to the mansion He’s prepared for us.
Our version of discipleship generally consists of inviting people to come to our church, or to outreach events, yet our friends, neighbors and/or co-workers may not see any tangible evidence of our supposed passion for Christ as they walk along side of us on a daily basis. This is the anti-thesis of what Jesus described.
If the western church has any hope of fulfilling “The Great Commission (Matt.28:19),” we must first go back and become true disciples ourselves. Jesus taught that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it remains a single seed (John 12:24). Without taking that step we aren’t likely to accomplish much more than the promotion of “Christian” values, the perpetuation of “Christian” culture, and/or the preservation of the “church” industry.
Bjcorbin's Blog 
The Cost of Discipleship
Posted in Commentaries, tagged appetite, blank check, cost, death, diet or exercise, discipleship, endurance, eternal security, faith alone, master, obesity, resurrection, sacrifice, servant, suffering, weight loss on August 20, 2025| Leave a Comment »
Western culture’s infatuation with convenience has led to a steady progression of “advancements” meant to make life easier. But like any significant shift, there have been some unintended consequences. Though the practical demands of our day-to-day life have receded, so too has our capacity for delivering consistently high levels of energy for any given task. Within this new reality, there is no need to sweat anywhere other than the gym. Despite this erosion of endurance, our voracious appetites seem to have remained largely intact.
As a result, the struggle with obesity has become rampant throughout our society, which has triggered a corresponding obsession with weight loss. Things like gym memberships, progress picks and Ozempic shots have become prominent features of our cultural landscape. And one of the most popular components of this phenomenon is anything that promises that we can lose weight without changing our diet or exercise pattern.
Inherently, we recognize that if we hope to lose weight, we ought to be disciplined in what we take into our bodies, and/or in how we take care of ourselves. But the appeal of “weight loss without dieting or exercising” is that we can get the results we want, without having to sacrifice the things we crave, even when they are counterproductive to that goal (i.e., reap the benefits without paying the cost).
Unfortunately, this kind of thinking is like yeast that spreads through the whole loaf and works its way into our spiritual life as well. Western Christianity has largely grabbed a hold of the scriptures that celebrate the finished work of Christ, while ignoring those that speak of the cost of following Him. Popular doctrines create the illusion that Jesus’ love created the proverbial blank check (i.e. He died once for all, and we are justified by faith alone) which covers however we chose to live our lives today, while ensuring our place in the next life as well. Like a spiritual Ozempic shot, it promises eternal security, without sacrifice (i.e., dying to yourself) or suffering.
More often than not, faith is presented as both the vaccination and antidote to all suffering (e.g., if we just believe that God loves us and that He is all-powerful, we will somehow become immune to struggles of this life). Yet, Jesus (a man of perfect faith) learned obedience from the things He suffered (Heb.5:8), and He endured the cross, despising its shame (Heb.12:2). He warned His followers that no servant was greater than their master, and that they would be hated for His sake (John 15:18-21). Further, He let them know that to those who have been given much, much more will be required (Luke 12:48).
Throughout the scripture, we see the lives of devoted followers testify to the cost of discipleship. Paul declared that we ought to present our bodies as a living sacrifice (Rom.12:1), saying that in order to become an heir we must be willing to share in Christ’s sufferings (Rom.8:17). Peter agreed, asserting that to partake of this burden was cause for rejoicing (1Peter 4:12-13). David avowed that he would not offer to God that which cost him nothing (2 Sam.24:24), and James observed that the price of cultivating a friendship with the world (i.e., adopting its ways, and adhering to its value system) was to become an enemy of God (James 4:4).
Jesus spoke very plainly about all of this, teaching that whoever wants to be my disciple must be willing to deny themselves and take up their cross daily (Luke 9:23-25). He clarified that the key to experiencing the life He’s ordained for us is found in laying our lives down for Him and His purposes (Matt.16:25). This was the challenge He made to the “rich young ruler,” asking him to forfeit those things which might identify him as anything other than a child of the one true God (Luke 18:18-30).
He taught that unless a seed falls to the ground and dies, it has no potential to produce fruit (John 12:24), and He left no room for interpretation when He said that those who are unwilling to take up a cross and follow Him are not worthy of Him (Matt.10:38). Jesus surrendered His will to accomplish the will of the Father (Luke 22:42), but if we refuse to participate in this of death of self-rule, how then can we lay claim to the resurrection that was gained by it? Can there be a resurrection if there hasn’t been a death?
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