Loving God With All Your HeartSample

Following Jesus is worth the cost

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for My sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:29-30)

If you give your life to the Lord Jesus, there may be a cost. Perhaps you lose friendships or your family turns against you because they are hostile to God. Maybe you experience a calling to work in God's Kingdom, and to do so you must give up your career, your beautiful home or other valuable things. Or maybe you are discriminated against and persecuted because of your faith. The Lord Jesus is honest that this can happen. Know what you are getting into!

But there is also another side. If you belong to Jesus, you have “a treasure in heaven.” Peter describes that treasure as “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” (1 Peter 1:4) So, Christians are rich!

The apostle Paul had given up an awful lot for his faith and mission. But the “balance” was positive for him as well. He testified, “This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17)

Peter and Paul felt rich and blessed in their relationship with Jesus Christ. Do you experience the same way? What are positive or negative consequences of your love for Him?

Thank you for completing this reading plan. We hope you were encouraged to live with God every day! We invite you to learn more about Him in one of our e-courses, or to find your questions answered on our homepage www.biblword.net