COUNT THE COST

 Count The Cost

Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? Luke 14:28.

Following Jesus Christ will cost us. We have to be willing to leave everything for the sake of the Gospel. We have to come to a place whereby we will choose God no matter how tempting the other options might be. Give God your all. It is worth it following Christ. What it costs to live for God is nothing compared to the reward that comes for those who remain faithful until the very end. We have to be willing to die to self, to say no to carnal fleshly desires, and reject the ways of the world. The choices we make have consequences; let us choose well.

We are advised to always count the cost. Before doing or saying anything, we should first stop and reconsider the effect such will have on us and on others. Most times we do and say things, then just get on with our lives without considering the effect our actions or words have on other people. Whether knowingly or not, at times we leave destruction behind through the things we do or say. We leave behind the people whom we have negatively affected with our words or actions to rebuild their lives. There is so much hate and jealousy in the world today. People will smile on the outside but inside they are plotting ways to destroy each other. How did we reach that point?

In everything, then, do to others as you would like them to do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12.

There is a lot in the world for everyone. But at times, as revealed by our actions, we want to gain everything, the rich want to get richer. No harm in getting rich, but how do we get there? Do we get there by oppressing others? At times, people find an open door of opportunity and as soon as they enter, they close the door behind them. People do not want to see others succeeding, they do not want to see others happy. We have become a people who sabotage each other. Yet God provides enough for all of us.

Look at the birds. They do not plant or harvest, they do not have store rooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than birds. Luke 12:24.

Our words have so much power, and because of that, we should pay attention to what we say, and with what intention.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:5-8.

With our words we can cause huge destruction in people's lives, and yet still, with our words we can build and bless. We may not realize the impact our words have, but every word spoken becomes like a seed planted. Through our words the treasures of our hearts come out. The words we speak are like seed, and with time, they mature into fruit.

Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good and an evil person out of his evil treasures brings forth evil. Matthew 12:33-35.

Let us learn to weigh our words; if it is not good, if it does not build or does not constructively help the other person to improve, then it is not worth saying. There is no gain in tearing each other down.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21.

At the end of the time we will all be held accountable individually.

I tell you, on the day of judgement people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37.

Our choices have consequences, both to ourselves and others. God gave us a free will.

I call to heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants. Deuteronomy 30:19.

Knowing these then, we can always choose to do good; it is an active choice by the power of the Holy Spirit.

If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 4:11.

Jesus walked on earth doing good.

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, because God was with Him. Acts 10:38.

God will empower us to do good if we ask Him. Whatever good we set our hearts on, God is faithful to give us the strength to go through and reap good fruits.

But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have abundance for every good deed. 2 Corinthians 9:8.

Blessings.

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