Price

<<cost>>

Everything has a price tag, it has cost somebody something. Even a gift has been paid for in some measure, not by the receiver but the giver. David said,
I can’t take this gift and claim it as my sacrifice, because it hasn’t cost me anything (1 Chr 21:22-26).

Jesus explained the cost of discipleship by declaring, “Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me, giving up everything, cannot be my disciple” (Lk 14:25-33). Salvation is a free gift that we can’t earn, yet it cost Christ dearly and as we have been bought with a such a high price He is to be our Master (Mt 16:21; 1 Cor 7:23; Eph 2:8,9; Rev 21:6).  

He gave His all that He might have our all

None of us can comprehend the enormous price Jesus paid as our substitute on the cross so we could escape the everlasting torment of hell. Any price we pay to live the Christian life is small in comparison to the eternal value we receive by being His children (Rom 8:18).

Sportsmen train, or pay the price, in order to win a medal (1 Cor 9:24-27). Christians likewise should be disciplining themselves to have an intimate relationship with God, remembering that the outcome is worth the ‘sweat and tears’. Throughout life we must choose wisely and be prepared to sacrifice whatever is of lesser value for the benefit of gaining something of greater value (Mt 13:44,45).

See also: consequence, cost, disciple/discipleship, sacrifice and offering.