We died before we came here

What will living for Jesus cost you?

Time
There are needy people around us, who need to talk or to just to be with you, and that takes time and intentionality. If you're seeking to invest in the people God puts into your life, you're probably going to have less free time than most.

Money
It will costly you financially, as you give generously to work of the gospel here and abroad. The gospel pushes you to be generous as you consider the generosity of Jesus to you.

Comfort
It will cost you comfort as you step out and form new friendships and are intentional about sharing the gospel with the friends you already have. If you're an introvert, this is no small thing.

Reputation
This isn't just true for students. Adults play the status and popularity game too. It's hard to be neutral about Jesus, and the more accurately you declare and demonstrate him, the more it's going to get a reaction out of the people around you. Some will be attracted. Others will be repelled. That's the deal.

I spent a summer in Japan and we heard story after story of Christians being demoted, or not advanced, because of their openness about their faith. That scenario is not as far-fetched here in America as it once was.

Security
This might be in the form of finances - you won't save as much as you could, because you want to give money away. It might take the form of encouraging your kids to go on mission trips. It might mean following God's call to live in a neighborhood and minister in an environment not nearly as secure as the one you live in now.

John Piper always tells the story of interviewing people to come on staff at his church in downtown Minneapolis. He gets frustrated when the first question people ask is, “Are my kids going to be safe?” Piper says, "Ask that question tenth, not first." Whoever said your kids are going to be safe in the call of God? Is that in the Bible?

Life
The gospel cost Jesus his life. It cost Paul his too. And they both knew it was coming. Martyrdom still happens today – the Sudan, Saudi Arabia, China. Chances are (if you are reading this in America), you aren’t going to face something that drastic. But you never know, and we need to be prepared like Paul to say, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me” (Acts 20:24).  Martyrs are not made in a minute, but in a lifetime of choosing to die to themselves and to live for Christ.

James Calvert was a young pioneer missionary to the cannibals of the Fiji Islands. On his voyage there the ship captain tried to talk him out of going through with his mission. But Calvert would not be shaken. Finally the captain yelled at him, “You don’t get it, man! Make no mistake: you will lose your life and the lives of those with you if you go among such savages.” Calvert calmly replied, “You don’t understand. We died before we came here.”