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What does the Bible say about the cost to follow jesus?

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The Bible teaches that following Jesus requires wholehearted faith, daily self-denial, and a willingness to put Him above comfort, possessions, relationships, and personal plans. In Luke 9:23, Jesus calls His disciples to take up their cross daily and follow Him, while Luke 14:33 warns that none can be His disciple without surrendering all. His words in Matthew 8:18-22 and Luke 9:57-62 show that obedience cannot be delayed for worldly security or competing loyalties. Yet this costly call is not a bargain by which we earn salvation; believers follow because Christ first loved and redeemed them. Colossians 3:1-25 describes the new life of those raised with Christ, marked by holiness, love, and thankful obedience.

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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Luke 9:23

    He said to all, "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.

  • Colossians 3:1-25

    [1] If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. [2] Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. [3] For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. [5] Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; [6] for which things' sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. [7] You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; [8] but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. [9] Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, [10] and have put on the new man, that is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, [11] where there can't be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. [12] Put on therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. [15] And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. [16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. [17] Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. [18] Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. [19] Husbands, love your wives, and don't be bitter against them. [20] Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. [21] Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged. [22] Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. [23] And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, [24] knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. [25] But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

  • 2 Timothy 2:15

    Give diligence to present yourself approved by God, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed, properly handling the Word of Truth.

  • Luke 9:62

    But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

  • Luke 10:3

    Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.

  • Luke 14:33

    So therefore whoever of you who doesn't renounce all that he has, he can't be my disciple.

  • Matthew 8:18-22

    [18] Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. [19] A scribe came, and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." [20] Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." [21] Another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." [22] But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead."

  • Matthew 24:44

    Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect, the Son of Man will come.

  • Luke 9:57-62

    [57] As they went on the way, a certain man said to him, "I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord." [58] Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head." [59] He said to another, "Follow me!" But he said, "Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father." [60] But Jesus said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead, but you go and announce the Kingdom of God." [61] Another also said, "I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to bid farewell to those who are at my house." [62] But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God."

  • Matthew 10:38

    He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me.

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