Today’s Saturday Spotlight is
Anita LaLonde
Counting the cost…
Celebrating the death, burial and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus this past week brought to mind what it means to be saved. Salvation though a one-time occurrence is a lifetime of change. What does it look like to follow Jesus? What does it mean to count the cost?
By God’s grace I was saved 32 years ago. He foreknew me, predestined me and called me to conform to the image of his Son (Rom 8:29). It’s so amazing contemplating God’s plan of salvation. I did nothing. He did everything (Eph 2:8-9). My life’s highest point was being called to become a child of God. Completely forgiven of all my sins past, present and future sins. They have been removed as far as the east is from the west (Ps 103:12).
The joys, sorrows, successes and defeats have played a role in my sanctification. Jesus said I must pick up my cross daily, die to self and follow Him. The cost of self-sacrifice is not easy. It does not mean I have to muster up all of my strength and try to make choices that line up with God’s will for my life, but I must surrender my desires to His desires through the leading of the Holy Spirit. In and of myself I can do nothing. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
Following Christ has shown me what is in my heart…pride, selfishness, fear, worry, envy and much more which equals SIN. However, by his grace I can pursuit and walk in the good works he has prepared for me (Eph 2:10). Starting with the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control as listed in Gal 5:22-23
32 years later I continue to count the cost. A daily reliance on the Holy Spirit to lead me, to give me wisdom and discernment, to be aware of sinful thoughts and to confess them. Am I successful? NO! Yet, I have the hope that my sanctification will continue as I yield to the One who called me, died for my sins and has written my name on His heart to be with Him throughout eternity (Phi 1:6). The rich young ruler counted the cost and decided his possessions-his desires were not worth sacrificing to follow Christ (Luke 18:18-30). He was consumed with his earthly life and forfeited the joys of heaven.
What did it cost Jesus to save us? A horrible, gruesome death on the cross. Jesus, fully God yet fully man as well felt every painful blow to his body. His closest friends abandoned him at his hour of need and even denied knowing him. Yet Jesus fulfilled his purpose of his 1st coming. He tells us that his yoke is easy and his burden is light and lo he will be with us always even to the end of this age. He will never leave us or forsake us. He gives us all that we need for life and godliness. We lack nothing. The One who feeds the sparrows, how much more he cares for me. May my life and your life bring him glory today and forever. Today if you hear his voice do not harden your heart. Live for him and be blessed eternally. He does not disappoint. Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Anita
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