THE COST

Romans used the cross as a tool to publicly humiliate, torture, and kill those who would speak against Caesar. For Jesus to refer to it as the cost of discipleship must have stunned those who heard His words. He wanted them (and us) to understand that death to 'self' is necessary for 'life in Him' ...  

Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. (Mark 8:34-35)

We must relinquish the right to be our own boss. That is not a 'one-time' event, but an 'everyday' surrender ... 

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow Me. (Luke 9:23)

For someone to say 'I am a Christian', yet clings to the self-centered moorings of this world; that man's religion is vain ...  

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 10:38-39)

Jesus' conditions for saving faith:

1. 'Deny yourself' - This does not mean to piously abstain from 'things'. It is instead abdicating the throne and placing Christ there as Lord. He is to become the reason behind every thought, word, and deed. 

2. 'Take up your cross' - For a 'dead man walking', sin's power to corrupt has been removed. A devoted walk of faith will be 'despised and rejected of men' ... expect the ridicule and abuse associated with bearing the cross. 

3. 'Follow me' - You are no longer to dictate where, when, and how you will serve Jesus Christ. Self-willed plans fail to establish His kingdom; He leads you where He will and realizes Himself in you for His glory. 

Claim this verse as your own ... I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

An undeniable truth ... 'Salvation is the free gift that costs us everything'.