November 16, 2016 
A cheap, easy Christianity
“Any of you who does not give up everything he has, cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:33
What does it cost to be a Christian?
I grant freely that it costs little to be a mere outward Christian. A man has only got to attend a place of worship twice on Sunday, and to be tolerably moral during the week — and he has gone as far as thousands around him ever go in religion. All this is cheap and easy work — it entails no self-denial or self-sacrifice. If this is saving Christianity and will take us to Heaven when we die — we must alter the description of the way of life, and write, “Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to Heaven!”
But it does cost something to be a real Christian, according to the standard of the Bible. There are . . .
enemies to be overcome,
battles to be fought,
sacrifices to be made,
an Egypt to be forsaken,
a wilderness to be passed through,
a cross to be carried,
a race to be run.
Conversion is not putting a man in a soft armchair, and taking him pleasantly to Heaven. It is the beginning of a mighty conflict, in which it costs much to win the victory. Hence arises the unspeakable importance of “counting the cost.”
True Christianity will cost a man . . .
his self-righteousness,
his sins,
his love of ease, and
the favor of the world.
A religion which costs nothing — is worth nothing!
A cheap, easy Christianity, without a cross — will prove in the end a useless Christianity, without a crown!
(J.C. Ryle, “The Cost!”)
Yes Steve, spot on!
See you soon.
Phil
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Hey Phil!! Great to see you here! Thanks for stopping by to comment! 😀
As i’m studying 17th, 18th & 19th century preachers etc…i’m noticing they didn’t preach a fluffy, ear itching social gospel that entertained the goats…But used the clarity of the one and only message of Hope to man on this earth, the “True Gospel” that convicts with power! Wow what a difference from today!
God bless you Phil! 😀
Well said.
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting! 😀
I’m really enjoying the clarity of these earlier preachers, We really need this again in the Uk.!
God bless you. 😀
Rebus been there, y’ou will make it through son
Thanks, great to see you here! God bless you. 😀