Is There a "Cost" to Being a Believer?

More wisdom from Ed Elliott

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Introduction

I apologize it has been so long since I have posted. Personal circumstances have kept me with little spare time unfortunately. This is not the only space in my life that is suffering - praying I can catch a break soon. Often this is just the way life goes. Though I have many articles in work, I have not been able to finish them. In the meantime, I thought this recent “Spiritual Coffee” email from Ed Elliott was worth sharing and fits perfectly into the theme of anti-legalism that Paul teaches in Titus. Of course, I have my own thoughts on this topic so even this has taken me awhile to write!

I feel inadequate to communicate how anti-faith the concept of believers paying a cost or owing anything to God is. It should be obvious from the gospel, but somehow it is not. This is exactly the kind of legalistic mindset I have been writing against and Paul opposed. There are few concepts more corrupt than this yet so easily accepted in our churches. But I will get to Ed’s words first and follow up with more of my personal thoughts. He rightfully points at love as the holy motivation for everything. Without further ado:

Morning Coffee Email 10/2/24 by Ed Elliott - Is there a “cost” to following Jesus?

A well-known preacher made this comment, “If you don’t realize that there is a "cost” to following Jesus, then you have heard American Christianity”.

While some may see his comment as a statement of deep commitment and consecration, sadly it violates the reality of the truth of the gospel. It places the focus on man’s efforts and not on what Christ has accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection for mankind.

Let's take a look at what scripture actually has to say on this subject. First off we see that salvation is a free gift from God not a reward or sacrifice for good behavior. Faith itself is defined as a rest. Believers in Christ have been freely given everything that pertains to life and godliness. The Bible teaches very clearly that we were bought with a great price, we didn't buy Jesus, He bought us. He paid for me in full and redeemed my life from destruction. The word ransom is also used in describing what the cross accomplished for all of humanity.

So what is there that requires me to pay a “cost”? Personally the sacrifices I have made for the gospel come from a response to the love God has for me, which He has poured out so richly into my heart when I first believed. The disciplines in my life are a result of His grace working in my heart. His joy is my strength and, as Paul said, even in my weakness, He is strong on my behalf. For me to try and boast or take credit for all that God has done in my life is pride solidly rooted in self-righteousness. How can I take any credit for what He has freely given and provided me to live for Him?

My faith comes from His word. He even gave me as a gift the very same Holy Spirit Jesus had, who enabled Him to obey His father and who raised Him from the dead. How could I possibly think that anything I could do or sacrifice I could make would earn me the right to follow Him?

The fruit of the spirit which is love is His expression and the reality of Him in my life. It comes from my confidence in God's character, faithfulness and goodness towards me. It isn’t some divine bargaining chip I use to prove my worth or value to God.

The work of the cross has made me holy and acceptable to God, it isn't my work or sacrifices or even my suffering, Jesus did it all! He alone is my life and worthy of all praise. As Paul said, there remains nothing more to do, no more sacrifices, etc. Jesus did it all!

Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer for wanting to buy the gift of the Holy Spirit. Is this any different to telling people that they must pay a price to follow Jesus? What is it one has to pay that Jesus didn’t pay? Jesus told the Pharisees in Matthew 9:13, “But go and learn what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” He tells the Pharisees that He will use mercy to bring sinners to repentance. So it's His mercy that causes people to turn and follow God, not any sacrifice they have made.

So I strongly disagree with the well known preacher because the reason I follow Christ has nothing at all to do with any sacrifice, suffering or personal discipline I have done to "pay a price". But it has everything to do with trusting totally and completely in the sacrifice of God's son and the price Jesus paid and His free gifts of salvation, righteousness and of the Holy Spirit that have enabled and empowered me through His love, grace and mercy to want to follow Him as well as a desire to live a life pleasing to the ONE who has loved me perfectly. It is for these reasons I like Paul cannot boast of my own strength or abilities but I recognize and give all glory and honor to God for the great work He has done in my life. I refuse to boast, take credit or even suggest that my sacrifices, efforts or disciplines have earned me any right at all to follow Jesus. The reason I follow and live for Him is solely and solidly rooted in "ALL" He has done for me! The truth is without all that Jesus has done and freely given to me, I would nor could I have ever follow Him. That is why He deserves "ALL" the glory!

Anytime we believe that our sacrifice has earned us any blessing from God we end up cheapening the sacrifice Jesus made when we exalt our own. When we truly understand how great and valuable Christ's sacrifice was, we wouldn't dare cheapen it by adding our own.

When I look at the sacrifice Jesus made for me why would I ever want to devalue or diminish it by comparing it to my own.

Language Matters: Personal Thoughts on “Paying the Cost”

This anti-gospel idea is pervasive in our modern (and not so modern) Christian culture. Even older hymns fall prey to this falsehood. “Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe…” Certainly Jesus did pay it all; but, He did that so He could freely give everything to us - even His glory! (John 17:22-23) He paid the debt so we would no longer “owe”! This is “Gospel 101”. We don't owe Him anything, that is the entire point. We owed a debt we could not pay; Christ paid our debt (the cross); He then went even further and gave us an inheritance of His life (the resurrection)! He freely paid our debt and freely gave us His life.

This should not even be controversial. Yet, the mindsets of religious flesh - religious desire - are so entrenched that we easily water down the gospel message without even a second thought. We glibly sing phrases that do this. Perhaps you might say I am being picky - but how we think and what we say impacts our faith which impacts our life. The words we use matter. Thinking you must pay a cost or that you owe God leads to many flesh-based things and makes it more difficult to walk by the Spirit. It creates yet another checklist to follow.

The flesh comes in many forms.

The flesh can be a confusing topic in scripture. Occasionally the same Greek word means the body, but this is always easily recognized contextually. Normally, this word means both a realm and a mindset. Paul says as unbelievers we live “in” the flesh - we are in the realm of the flesh. In this realm, we are enslaved and controlled by sin. As believers, we are no longer in that realm, we are in the Spirit. Christ has totally moved us from the flesh to the Spirit. That is now our realm. We are raised and seated with Him. (Ephesians 2:6)

However, the fleshly realm also has mindset or philosophy of life (opposed by the Spirit mindset). It is essentially how to cope in life without God. Unbelievers are enslaved to this philosophy. No matter how they may cope, since they don't have the Spirit, it is all of the flesh. However, believers can still think, act, and live by the flesh. Scripture calls this walking “by” or according to the flesh (vs. the Spirit). We are not IN the flesh, but we can still walk by it. We can still try to cope using the flesh based old mindsets that have not been renewed. This is sin no matter what form it takes. Whatever is not of faith is sin.

However, what people use to cope by the flesh varies widely! The Pharisees coped by using the law and religion to try and do well in life. Some cope by addictions like drugs or alcohol. Some cope by seeking love through multiple sexual encounters. The flesh comes in many forms. If you cope or feel worthy based on your spiritual performance then you are still walking by the flesh the same as if you try to cope by these other things.

How do you feel if you ever miss a “spiritual discipline”?

I have heard this many times from believers: “Oh, I missed my quiet time and I am struggling today”. Studying scripture should help us to trust Christ's work more; but, it is still His work. He works whether we miss a quiet time or not! I venture that this attitude comes from a fleshly idea of reliance on our work of “quiet time”, not Christ's work within. If missing a single “quiet time” or even several causes emotional angst, then perhaps the previous quiet times have not been effective! As Christ indicates in my URL scripture, scripture leads to Him and He is always within. We can trust Him at all times.

The modern “conservative church” is adept at pointing out the depravities in the world and the “bad” looking fleshly mindsets. Yet, the “good” looking fleshly mindsets are ignored or elevated as something good - even when they are clearly anti-gospel. This idea of a cost fits this category perfectly. As I have stated many times - fleshly mindsets breed further fleshly mindsets. Religious flesh and licentious flesh go hand in hand. Neither is walking by the Spirit. There is a specific attitude of reliance that helps us avoid walking by the flesh. If we learn to walk by religious flesh, I almost guarantee hidden licentious flesh is not far behind.

Thinking that we owe God is a common religious fleshly mindset. It feeds the idea that we are accomplishing something spiritually by what we do. It is anti-faith and anti-love and we need to be wary of anyone who teaches or implies it. Even if it doesn't lead to open licentious flesh it is still not the way of God's kingdom.

Good and Bad Looking Flesh

As Paul vividly states in a few places, many acts of the flesh are obvious. (Galatians 5; 1 Corinthians 6; etc.) He does not want anyone in his audience to ever think the Holy Spirit is motivating lying, cheating, adultery and the like. Again, this should be “obvious” as he states. What is perhaps not so obvious is what he also describes as the flesh - specifically in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33. Paul calls out bragging about suffering and moral credentials as being foolish and fleshly! He is being sarcastic because they are doubting him and his gospel message. The Corinthians loved to view everyone based on fleshly measurement and status - even “spiritual” status. Paul counters this by giving his “flesh” credentials including his suffering.

It is clear that Paul calls this bragging foolish and fleshly - he is doing it to make a point. His point is that trying to measure spirituality by a cost is foolish! He makes a similar point in Philippians 3:1-10 where he describes his moral credentials as a devout Law keeper as rotten garbage. He says that outwardly he was faultless as to “righteousness under the Law” - an amazing statement! He was so zealous to please God he became a “Type A” law keeper. No one could find fault with his law keeping! Later, he calls this attitude foul trash.

NOTE: please stop, read, and consider this passage. Compare it to messages you may hear in church. If Saul of Tarsus, the devout law keeper, were to become a member of most of our “conservative” churches, would be not be welcomed with open arms as a devout, disciplined, spiritual person? I take him at his word that no external person could find fault with his Law keeping.

If someone this disciplined walked into our churches and simply added Christ’s name to their law keeping, would they not be elevated?

Unfortunately there are many like this. Many have a form of disciplined fleshly “godliness” through “Bible rule keeping” without the power of the genuine Spirit (both believers and unbelievers). I used to be in this category! And often these are elevated in our churches though there are few signs of the genuine fruit of the Spirit. Our measure by which we judge others is often warped. Man judges the outside while God judges the heart. Thankfully a new creation has a new heart! This is a key truth. We don't engender a good heart, it is a gift.

Paul reiterates this later in Galatians 3:12:

“The law, however, is not based on faith; on the contrary, “The man who does these things will live by them.”

Paul could not be more clear here. Putting yourself under the Law as a believer is flesh not faith. Trying to keep the Law or thinking the Spirit is helping you fulfill the obligations of the Law is flesh not faith. Law based flesh is anathema to the Spirit as much as adultery or any other fleshly activity.

Are we anti-law?

Is this antinomian (anti-law)? No, the book of Hebrews makes clear that when there is a change of covenant then there is a full change of law. (Hebrews 7:12) The Law of Moses or Torah is no longer in effect for believers - we are under the “Law of Christ”. Paul also calls the same Law he advocates believers are not under as good. The issue is not the Law, the issue is humans under the Law always use flesh to try and keep it. However, when we genuinely keep the law of Christ it is only by the Spirit.

Christ in various places, and Paul and John in their Epistles clarify that the law of Christ is to “believe in Christ” and then “love others from the source of His love”. True faith in Christ means He gifts you His life and you become a new creation with a heart filled with His love. This is the power to keep the 2nd part of this new law: loving others. Again, this is the new creation and it is all that matters.

But there is no obligation with this law unlike Moses - no threats. There doesn't need to be. The benefits of this life are so amazing we simply will want to walk this way (once our minds are convinced of this truth). Often, however, religious lies have convinced us otherwise and made sin seem delectable. So many messages act like a believer is craving sin and must discipline themselves against that craving. But that is not what God says about you - and I will take His word over the twisted thinking of humans.

Many point to epistolic instruction portraying that walking by the Spirit will lead to morality and suggest that because items in the Law address similar moral issues then believers are still under the “moral” Law. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Law obligates and demands perfect morality but has no power to help you be moral. The gospel has no obligation -only love as a motivation. And grace as the power to be moral from that motivation. But the biggest obstacle to walking in love is thinking that morality is an obligation and operating under the implicit threats of the Law.

Walk By the Spirit

True growth is learning about the Spirit way to walk so that we minimize walking by the flesh - whether it is good or bad looking flesh. Many, even unbelievers, can “grow” better at “doing more good looking things” or “avoiding more bad looking things”. Paul demonstrates this in his own testimony as a Pharisee - he was perfect at doing this. Yet, while “good works” are the natural result of walking by the Spirit, God's main goal is not specific good works. In the very same passage I recently referenced, Christ gave the main goal and in John 10:10 He says why He came. Consider this chain of new covenant truth about our closeness to God.

John 10:10 - “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness.” (BSB)

John 17:3 - “Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” (BSB)

Hebrews 8:11 - “No longer will each one teach his neighbor or his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” (BSB)

1 John 2:27 - “And you, the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But just as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things and is true and is no lie, and just as it has taught you, you shall abide in Him.” (BLB)

Do we already live in Christ or are we trying to live in Him daily?

I chose the Berean Literal Bible because it correctly states that because of our “anointing” (which simply means “Christ in us”), we continue to abide in Him. This same anointing teaches us how to live and think - John clearly states this. This teaching does not replace scripture study; but again, if a believer is illiterate or has no access to scripture they can still grow. Scripture is a valuable tool in the growth process (unless it is twisted to be used as a faith diminishing weapon). But again, by Christ's own words, it’s purpose is to point to the living Christ within.

What an amazing chain of new covenant promises. Christ came to give us His life and make us alive; this life is an intimate connected knowledge of God; because of this innate knowledge of God we can be secure in this connection; and this completes the loop: Christ in us and us in Christ. This is the new creation and is our source of power to live and walk. Scripture helps us confirm this truth and points us to it, but it is the physical and spiritual reality of it that informs our walk.

When we come to Christ, He moves us out of Adam and into Himself - we now abide in Him. And this abiding or annointing continues to work in us. Part of this work is to convince us that we actually do continue to abide in Him! It is this inner connection that is the core of the new creation.

We abide in Him by His power - abiding is not a work. But of course, we are responsible to set our mind on this truth to believe and trust it. Yet, if we turn abiding into a work - dependent upon us - then it is automatically a mindset that is not of faith. It is mindset that quenches the Spirit. Confidence in where we live spiritually is one key to walking by the Spirit.

The Two Ways to Walk

There are only two ways to walk: by the flesh or Spirit. If you are not walking by the flesh then by default you are walking by the Spirit. Our annointing guarantees this. Our biggest problem is not that we need to try to walk this way, it's that our trying often blocks it! With the proper mindset we will naturally walk by the Spirit. An obligation mindset blocks our natural way to walk.

Often, religious desire and false half-truths about the gospel combine and cause us to go our own way. The most subtle temptation is when that way looks good. We are convinced that because the stuff we are doing is on the “good list” then it is of faith, when the whole time we are still quenching the Spirit. Many think that “going our own way” means solely a licentious way; however, a self-righteous way of rules is still our own way.

The Gift Way

Any attempt to gain something we have already been gifted is going our own way rather than God's way of faith. Religion has convinced us that we need to be doing things to stay close to God, obtain His blessings, to be righteous, etc. However, the truth is truly good news: we already possess all these things from God and much more. These gifts motivate our faith walk, but they obligate us to nothing. A gift never obligates.

If you don't crave reflecting the goodness God has gifted you, then you simply don't understand the Gift. You don't need more rules and discipline; you need gospel truth. It could even be that you must cast away all “spiritual disciplines” and learn to be content doing nothing but trusting Christ in you. Learn to reject the temptations to judge yourself by what you are doing. Then find out from scripture what God has said about you as the new creation (stay mostly in the Pauline Epistles at first). Once you learn to trust these promises, move forward in this faith and simply live your life.

(NOTE: I'm not advocating making stupid harmful choices either, no matter the motivation. I'm simply saying to stop doing extra “good” things that you feel guilted, shamed, or obligated to do. That is the temptation. The work of the Kingdom should come from a place of joy and peace, not guilt or obligation. I promise, once you stop going your own way, you will recognize this shift. You will want to do this work, even from your mind, will, and emotions. You will not have to force yourself. The renewing of the mind is simply aligning it with what is already true about you in spirit and heart.)

The Way of the Spirit

God's goal is that we grow in grace and knowledge of Christ and the gospel and thus avoid the temptation to walk by the flesh. This leaves us in the natural state of a believer: walking by the Spirit. When this is happening, we don't need to measure our good works or even really worry about them. They will just happen, and sometimes we might not even realize it. As Christ said, even a cup of water given motivated by the Holy Spirit is enough to show righteousness.

But the key to walking by the Spirit is to recognize that because of your annointing this will happen naturally. You won't have to force it. Of course, we still make choices, but a trust in your annointing will enable those choices to more and more reflect God's choices for us. The choices we reflexively make help us recognize whether our mindsets are correct or not. If our willful choices are clearly not reflecting coming from a motivation of unconditional love, then again, we don't need more rules. We need to learn how to let Christ rule from within.

Always use the gift lens.

Again, always having the gospel gift mindset will help us see through this enemy crap. Everything God offers is a gift and thus it is free! There is no cost for us, period. Ed puts it a bit more gently than I might, but we are in agreement that this is an anti-gospel idea. I am so tired of this rubbish being passed off as God's truth! If we are genuine new creations we can sit perfectly still, do nothing, and still be OK. We won't want to do this - passivity is NOT a fruit of the Spirit - but nothing is required to gain or maintain our status in God's family. Emphasis on “maintain”. Many teach that we cannot gain the family of God by works; but, in their next breath, they teach that we maintain it by works!

Colossians 2:6-7 “6-Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, 7-rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (BSB)

We receive Christ as a free gift through grace by faith. We walk the same way. This idea that somehow we “owe” Christ or must pay a cost for the gift of His life is so rabidly anti-gospel it is scary. Yet this is such a common message in our Christian communities - and again, often elevated as something worthy. It is part of the fleshly “Christian caste” mindset where certain behaviors or circumstances help you “level up” in the Christian universe. Christianity is not a video game! Christ has already raised us into heavenly places - as high as we can be. (Ephesians 2:6) This is His work, not our own - it is a gift. Any works we do flow from His work.

Some religions make this a dogma - “sainthood” comes to mind (the true gospel calls every believer a saint - again, a gift, not earned). Even if “earning levels” by works is not explicitly stated, it is often implied. This is one of the most subtle attacks on the gospel within the legalistic mindset. It is anti-faith and creates doubt. It leaves believers feeling guilty that their lives might be too easy. It can cause us to use self-effort to try and do things to make our life more difficult on purpose in some pointless effort to maintain our relationship with God. Perhaps the most agregious aspect is how it minimizes the suffering inherit with the fallen world and sin. Legalism is truly twisted.

Everyone “suffers” in this world; but, especially believers, because we see and know it's fallenness.

Obviously there is suffering in this fallen world. In John 16:33, Christ said we would have trouble in this world, even though it is a world that He has already overcome. I am reminded of 1 Peter 3:21 going into 4:1. Peter describes the story of Noah and the ark and how a remnant was saved. He follows with this:

“21 - And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 - who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. 4:1 - Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves with the same resolve, because anyone who has suffered in his body is done with sin. (BSB)

Done with sin?

This is a curious passage, especially the last verse. What does “suffering in the body” have to do with being “done with sin”? Let's attack the last phrase first. First off, the word “done” in the Greek is the perfect tense. The Greek perfect tense indicates the continuation and present state of a completed past action. Peter is not saying as believers we never sin. But he is pointing out a reality in our being that because of what Christ has done He separated us from the power of sin. This is a completed past action which is now influencing us within our bodies to help us actively reject fleshly mindsets.

This reminds me of what Paul writes in Romans 6:6:

For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— (NIV)

I used the NIV since it phrases this using the word “done”. However, don’t be confused about the object here. Paul's point is not that the body will be done away with (though later he does indicate this). Here he means the “ruling by sin” over our bodies is done away with. This is a completed action when our old self was crucified with Christ at salvation.

Peter and Paul are discussing the same thing. And there are several more epistolic passages that indicate a similar concept: as believers, we are no longer ruled by sin. We can choose to walk by the flesh sometimes, but we never have to. When we do it - it is out of ignorance of what Christ has done for and to us. The enemy tempts us to believe that we actually are ruled by sin so we essentially have no choice! And sadly, many pulpits back up this message. But the truth will set you free: as a believer, you are no longer ruled by sin - either religious sin or licentious sin. You are truly free - and that mindset, no other, is what will lead to you to not walk by the flesh.

What is suffering in the body?

Peter in this passage says that Christ suffered in His body and likewise those who are “done with sin” also suffer in theirs. Peter is referencing the idea that there is an inherent suffering a believer will experience in this world that is characterized by our fallen bodies.

As believers, we have been given a new “nature” by Christ. While we are in this “earthly body” this new self - the new creation - is held as a “treasure within an earth vessel”. Our nature, just like Christ’s nature, is now in conflict with the world, the flesh, and sin. The difference is that Christ’s nature never changed; it was already eternally holy. Our old nature that was disconnected from God needed to die so we could be born again, fully connected to God.

The phrase “arm yourselves” is the Greek word “hoplizó”. This has the meaning of “to equip”. And what does Peter indicate we are equipping? Our minds. The word “resolve” in the Greek means thoughtfulness or consideration. So, Peter is essentially saying that we should give thoughtful consideration to the truth that because of our new nature, those of us who are dead to sin will inherently suffer here on earth. There is always a conflict between our new nature and the fallen ways of the world that are opposed to God and His ways.

Of course, Peter has a broader encouragement to his audience who has been suffering far beyond this inherent suffering. But, his focus is on the natural conflict of light and darkness. We are now children of Light. We are aliens in this world. We naturally feel this conflict even without additional suffering inflicted externally by sickness or other humans.

NOTE: Paul says that we can offer our physical bodies to God as a holy living sacrifice. (Romans 12:1) I am not saying in any way (like a Gnostic) that our bodies themselves are intrinsically bad. They are simply tools or “vessels” as Paul calls them. As believers, we can offer them to God or sin. In Romans 8:11, Paul says that our connection to God through the Holy Spirit gives “life” even to our “mortal bodies”.

Consider that Christ was sinless; yet, still had a body that was impacted by sin. For example, His physical body clearly aged. There is nothing to indicate that He did not get sick. His physical body was able to be murdered on the cross. Yet, as an act of His will, He never offered His body or mind to sin. He certainly was never a slave of sin. Further evidence that His original body was like ours is that after death He was given a resurrection body as a forerunner of the one we will receive. (1 Corinthians 15)

This is a complicated discussion and I cannot do it justice. Perhaps no one can as the incarnation equals the Trinity in its mystery. My point is simply that Christ suffered in His body just as we do. I believe this is what Peter is communicating. The incarnation is amazing because it shows us that even within this fallen world and with a body impacted by sin, we can operate within the same reliance on God as Christ did. See Christ's prayer in John 17. The incarnation gives us hope and shows the compatibility of God with humanity. We cannot blame our bodies when we make bad choices. We have everything we need for life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:4)

The False Measure of Suffering

Peter is not advocating we seek suffering or feel lesser if we have not suffered in the same way at some other believers. He is not giving some suffering measuring test as a cost of being a believer. I mean, did the middle age monks have a good idea when they would whip themselves? God forbid. Peter simply wants us to consider and keep in our minds the truth of our new nature and it's conflict with this world.

Because of the finished work of Christ and it's impact within us, we intrinsically suffer from the world not being as it should. Much like the rest of creation, we groan within this conflict. (Romans 8:22-23) Peter is absolutely not giving an admonition that somehow if you are not suffering enough, then you are not being a “good” enough Christian or paying enough cost. This is a ridiculous assertion. However, now that we are connected to Christ, as new creations we are in conflict with this world by nature. Peter simply wants us to arm ourselves mentally with this truth.

A Couple of Other “Suffering” Passages

As I was studying “suffering” passages in the Epistles, I ran across a couple more that a legalist could twist to make it seem like suffering or paying a cost makes us worthy (beyond Christ making us worthy by His work). The first is Philippians 1:29:

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,”

In context, Paul is discussing God's justice for those who were actively persecuting these believers. The way this is translated makes this seem like God is sending suffering their way. However, it all hinges on the word translated “granted”. This Greek word “charizomai” has the same root as the word “grace”. What Paul is saying is that just as God freely gave them the grace to believe; He is also giving them the same grace to be able to endure the suffering. This is all about Christ’s gracious provision to us: both within our salvation and when we suffer.

In the previous verse, Paul says they don't need to be afraid of their opponents when they are trying to persecute them. He uses the phrase “and it is from God.” This goes immediately into the verse I just discussed. One must wonder what is “it”? Does Paul mean the suffering is from God? Is God causing these enemies to persecute them in some form of training or purification? Is God forcing these persecuters to sin against His children so that He can cause the believers suffering in order for them to pay a proper cost? God forbid. Yet, this is the ridiculous final conclusion of much teaching out there.

Working our way using backward logic, Paul is not saying the suffering is from God, he is saying the “lack of fear” is from God. He then describes the grace they have through their salvation to endure suffering without fear as I just discussed. He is not encouraging some legalistic walk where we try to make ourselves worthy by properly enduring suffering - he is showing the Source of our ability to not show fear in the face of opposition. And this leads right into my next verse.

Does suffering make us worthy of God's kingdom?

2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 - 4-That is why we boast among God’s churches about your perseverance and faith in the face of all the persecution and affliction you are enduring. 5-All this is clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment. And so you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.

Paul has nearly the exact same context as he did in Philippians. He goes on to talk about how God's righteous justice on those opposing them will be far more severe than what their opponents have done to them (unless, of course, these opponents turn to Christ first). However, the key idea of this passage, the one that legalists pounce on, is who is counting us worthy? Is this God, waiting to see how we endure suffering? Are we made worthy of His Kingdom by our suffering? Or, is it Christ's suffering that makes us worthy by faith and thus this passage cannot mean that?

It should be obvious that Paul cannot mean that we earn God's kingdom by any work, even enduring suffering. So, what else could Paul mean? Is there anyone else besides God who would be observing their attitude under suffering? Well, the most obvious one are those persecuting them! The suffering does not make us worthy, only Christ did that. Our worthiness to God is a gift - everything is! However, when we react with a supernatural attitude by bearing the fruit of the Spirit during suffering, then those around us observe that and we reflect that we are truly in God's kingdom to them! They are the ones “counting us worthy”; not God.

Again, Paul is not giving a test of faith. He is once again pointing at the grace they have been freely given and it's result. As always, he is pointing to Christ and His power within. Does this mean that we must rely on grace every single time to endure suffering with a perfect attitude or God won't count us worthy? Of course not. No one, not even Paul, has done this perfectly. Yet, we do have the perfect gift of grace and the indwelling Christ. We can rely on this and have a Christ-like response to suffering. And whether they admit it or not, even those causing the suffering will notice our Kingdom response. And that is Paul's point.

Be content with all circumstances - good and bad. Don't seek to change your circumstances in order to “improve” your spirituality.

In Philippians 4:11-12, Paul talks about contentment in all circumstances, good and bad. When his earthly life was going “easy” - which he implies it sometimes did - I cannot see him thinking: “Oh man, I am a failure as a Christian. I don't have any trials at the moment. I better find a den of Pharisees to throw Christ in their face so they will persecute me and I can pay a cost.” I know I am over-emphasizing this attitude, but drawn to a final conclusion, shouldn't this be the end result of “paying a cost” teaching? Shouldn’t we seek out suffering so we can be even more worthy to God? If we have an “easy” life, shouldn't we be discontented and seek otherwise?

Paul simply learned gratitude for both the good and bad on this earth as he walked by the Spirit. The Apostles never tied suffering in a way where we are “paying a cost” to have the life of Christ - that is not a gift mindset. Though there is an intrinsic suffering because we are believers, everyone suffers in this world by default. It is just as wrong to seek suffering or poverty and call it spiritual as it is to seek wealth, health, and comfort and associate that with faith. Faith is content with any circumstance.

This false idea devalues the finished work of Christ.

Recognize that “cost” is a value measurement. By using that word, it implies a value comparison. Paul saw the gift of Christ’s life as so valuable that, if we want to use the word cost, it was far more costly to NOT have it! (Romans 8:18; Phil. 3:8) That is a faith mindset. Again, the wages of sin is the real “cost”. Romans 6:23 - it is sin that has a wage - the gift of Christ’s life is free. A cost is anathema to the gospel.

By using this word, we measure earthly things to the value of Christ’s life and imply that His life comes up short. There is no other way to see it. Maybe that is not what people mean; but, then, use a different word than cost. Unfortunately, I think this is exactly what many mean since they often lack an understanding of the new creation. Because legalism deals in measuring, they really do see any negative impacts of being a Christian as a “cost”. But faith sees the overwhelming benefits of the life of Christ as a gift beyond measure. Whatever suffering on earth that may bring is not even a factor.

Seeing suffering as a “Christian cost” is a fleshly idea.

Even the specific suffering we experience in this world as believers is not a “cost” attached to the gospel. And if it is a cost at all, those enslaved and empowered by sin are paying that cost far more than believers! Everyone earns the wages of sin and we are all in the same fallen world. Those who are persecuting believers are suffering far more than the believers they are persecuting! Only a fleshly, worldly view sees this differently. It is the gift of Christ’s life that is the answer to this worldly suffering. The very meaning of salvation is we are being saved from the “wages”!

Christ’s life enables and empowers us to deal with any “cost” of the fallen world, it does not add more of a burden on us! Again, this is such a warped human-based view. Even those facing persecution and death in the early church recognized that the gift they had was actually freedom and it was those who were doing the persecuting that were enslaved to sin and earning horrible wages. They saw their spiritual status of being raised with Christ and viewed suffering through that lens. It certainly wasn't a “cost”. Those who think this way are struggling to see the value of their salvation - and it is doubtful they understand the new creation at all. It is a pitiful and weak view of Christ's gift of life.

The Pagan Idea of a Cost

A focus on what happens to us here on earth as some Christian measurement of spirituality is a fleshly view - not a heavenly one. Many non-Christian religions pay the same or more “cost” as believers do! Is this a competition? This is actually a pagan view - it is the ancient pagan human imagined “gods” who demanded a cost! Crops or other sacrifices - even your children in order to earn their beneficence! Even today, many still sacrifice their children in the altar of their god - themselves. But that is a different article. The true God is the only one who sacrificed Himself so we wouldn't have to pay the cost.

Someone who would speak this way and associate it with Christianity is speaking from an ignorance of Christ’s life within and His love. They are speaking from a place of religion - a set of beliefs and principles. Many pay an earthly “cost” for their beliefs - even non-religious beliefs. Those who refused COVID vaccines often paid an earthly cost - that was the price of their belief. For many, this was not even tied to being a believer - it was a health based belief. Any set of beliefs worth having will exact a cost in this world.

Yet, the gospel is not just a set of beliefs, principles, and activities. It is Christ's life empowering us from within. Legalism minimizes Christianity down to a set of beliefs, principles, and actions. Certainly we have beliefs of course - primarily that Christ was fully God and human, and He died, was buried, resurrected, and ascended to Heaven. We are called “believers”! We believe Christ now lives forever in order to resurrect us, abide in us, and join us into God's family. We believe some “crazy” stuff!

But, all that matters is His life within and trusting that. To quote Paul, all that matters is the new creation. Belief is the path to the doorway of Christ, it is not the main event. Christ is always the main event. Even demons believe some correct stuff (James 2:19); but, if the beliefs don't lead to trust in our new creation then they are next to worthless.

Don't listen to enemy ideas, even if they are coming from your favorite pulpit.

Paying a “cost” for the gospel is an enemy idea, not of God. It is faithless because it is focused on the worldly system and not the heavenly one. It ignores God's sovereignty over the works He has planned for you. If the world brings us suffering, one of the works may be to rest in Christ so we can have joy and peace through it. However, there are many believers who are walking by the Spirit truly well; but, who by these measures, are not “paying the cost”. This is a worthless fleshly measurement.

In 1 Timothy 2:2, Paul says a tranquil life should be prayed for! He says to pray for rulers “so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity.” (BSB) He promotes this kind of life as something good! This word tranquil means “without needless commotion or disturbances”. Yet, if God answers this prayer for someone and they have this kind of life; there will be a legalist around the corner trying to make them feel guilty for it. “They must not be a “legitimate believer” or mature since their life is peaceful.” I cannot emphasize enough that this is a garbage idea. Perhaps that believer’s work is to have peace and joy through the persecution of the legalists! Perhaps it is the legalist proclaiming about costs who is helping cause the suffering. Sigh.

Most importantly: is this scriptural?

A quick study in scripture for the idea of believers “paying a cost” comes up void. Yet again, this is a human idea. The only cost listed in scripture is the cost that Christ paid to redeem us. As Andrew Farley puts it, “Christ paid the ultimate price so that he could give us His life for free”! Our salvation was the ultimate expense for Christ but given freely to us.

Don't let legalism cheapen the price He paid by making it about us paying some human idea of a cost. Paying a cost is anathema to the definition of a gift. If you believe this, you will struggle to experience the joyful and peaceful fruit of the Spirit! This teaching, taken to it's ultimate conclusion, sees peace and joy as a lack of spirituality. Wow! It is right the opposite. There is no special spiritualized meaning to these words - peace and joy are peace and joy. They are a gift - no matter the circumstances. What a disgusting mindset to have that doubts Christ’s life in you if you are not going through a hard enough time on earth. It just blows my mind that ideas like this get tied to the gospel.

A Contented Faith Life

If you are walking by the Spirit and are not experiencing some sort of excess trials by some human measure, then thank Christ. Be grateful. Just being in this world is trial enough. Don't let these legalists, with their religious desire, unholy measurements, and their mental ranking charts, disrupt your legitimate peace and joy.

However, if you are facing difficult trials, recognize that Christ's life within is there to lift you up, not push you down. His life within will never engender some sense of pride that by your suffering you are a better believer than those who are not suffering the same way. Quite the opposite - you will be grateful for their circumstances - not judging them! You can also be grateful that Christ will ultimately use the sins of others against you for good.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses at length the analogy of being part of the body of Christ and says the following in verse 26: “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (BSB). Thus, those suffering will still rejoice for those who are not, and vice versa. Again, the gospel never engenders a spiritual competition - only religious desire or legalism does that. Those in the body who are hands or feet should not judge those who are forearms or calves. (1 Corinthians 12:12-26)

The Spirit never engenders a “holier than thou” attitude. Our “holiness” is a gift from Christ - making us the “righteousness of God” - and is never based in our works. We cannot boast - even in our suffering.

One final thought. Many times these legalists might pay a cost (as they define it), not due to them being Christians, but because they are obnoxious. If you are displaying the genuine fruit of the Spirit (love, peace, joy, etc.) and people hate you for it - so be it. This happened to Christ and He said it would happen to us. There is a natural enmity between darkness and light. But if you are haughtily pushing some legalistic religious belief system without gentleness and respect - then you will receive the wages for your fleshly religious sin. This is not suffering because of Christ.

Don't confuse religious desire with the fruit of the Spirit. Even in our discussions of Christ with others, we must consider 1 Peter 3:15 - be ready to give an account of the hope within BUT be gentle and respectful. This is not obnoxious or worthy of disdain. And notice what the message is about - the HOPE within. It is not “turn or burn”, it is not even condemning the unbelievers for their sinning, it is the good news that there is a promise of escape.

For Christ, it was actually the legalists doing the hatred and persecution! Legalists hate the legitimate relaxation and peace the gospel brings because they can't ever get there with their rules and measurements. Their way is a way of cursing and failure. They love to spy out our liberty like they did with the Galatians. If you are obnoxious and people reject you, you are suffering because you are obnoxious, not because of Christ. Don't confuse legitimate suffering for Christ with suffering because we are reaping corruption by sowing religious flesh.

Not only does God not send us suffering directly - He does not want us needlessly suffering by our poor choices!

Peter brings up a parallel idea in 1 Peter. He indicates that “suffering” because you are breaking laws and thumbing your nose at authorities cannot be considered as the cause of Christ. Imagine driving 80 MPH in a 45 MPH zone and telling the officer that “I am a Christian, God has forgiven me, and you should too.” I imagine the ticket might just go higher after that! Imagine as a believer being addicted to cigarettes and smoking 2 packs a day for 50 years; yet, then expecting God to heal your lung cancer.

In a similar way, obnoxiously pushing morality or even the gospel in a self-righteous manner will result in push back. You cannot consider this “suffering for Christ”. This is reaping poor treatment from sowing stupidity and obnoxiousness. Choosing to be obnoxiously self-righteous will have consequences and God may not choose to save you from them any more than the above examples of speeding and smoking. We reap what we sow. Sowing to religious or licentious flesh will still reap corruption, just like sowing to licentious flesh. The corruption may take different forms but it is corruption all the same.

Closing Out

Beware of any teaching that is primarily focused on you and your actions. If any teaching implies God is exacting a “cost” for His gifts and promises, it has its basis in the flesh and paganism. Much more could be said but I hope this is evident from the core meaning of the gospel as well as the scripture I have discussed. Many legalists are experts at twisting scripture to defend their fleshly self-righteousness. And much of these ideas have infiltrated Christian teaching to such a degree that they are considered orthodox.

However, even a basic consideration of a pure gospel message cuts through these ideas. Further, comparing all messages (even my writing) to the definition of a gift is the best way to cut through the lies. Remember that the enemy’s designation in scripture is the “accuser of believers”. Any message that accuses us of anything is not from God - it is from the enemy.

This is not to say that God does not discipline and train us - but that is to help us choose better in the future - not punish us for the past. God never points at our mistakes - He only points at our righteousness - the very same gift He has given us. This is because guilt and shame will never help us choose better; only a reliance on our gifted righteousness will do that. We must be convinced that we are righteous by nature; not based on what we do outwardly.

Yes, we reap what we sow. Much of our “suffering” comes from this. Further, this is a fallen world. We intrinsically suffer because we have been recreated in Christ to fit into a place without sin. We are not there yet. This is not even counting the direct suffering we may face within disease, relationships, war, famine, persecution, and other direct results of a world in the thrall of sin. Yet, Christ did not come to condemn the world but to save it. (John 3:17) Again, “Gospel 101”. If He did not come to condemn the world, He certainly is not condemning you! (Romans 8:1)

Christ is our life in poverty and wealth. He is our life in sickness and in health. He is our life in suffering and comfort. Christ is our life period.

It is not productive to listen to these messages that proclaim you must seek different circumstances in order to please God. Circumstances can change at any given moment; caused by our choices or completely outside our control. Yet, the fruit of the Spirit fits with them all. Even when we choose wrongly, we still have the Spirit and we can choose to react to our failures by bearing His fruit. The Spirit’s aspirations are never to accuse; only inspire bearing fruit by convincing us of God's gifts and promises.

Many walk by the Spirit and endure great suffering and persecution. Many don't. Perhaps for some, their main suffering is dealing with self - accusation that they are not suffering or doing enough. This comes from believing a false gospel. Many suffer from reaping the consequences of stupid choices and not listening to the Spirit within. This also comes from believing a false gospel and temporarily not trusting God's promises. As Paul would say, “do you not know? Or Have you forgotten?” Many suffer from disallusionment that God is not changing their circumstances. They should be healthy and wealthy but they are not. Again, they are believing a false gospel.

The only answer is always the true gospel - embodied by the living Christ who has permanently gifted us His life. This life, reflected by the fruit of the Spirit, works in every circumstance. Don't let pagan ideas, masquerading as morality or Christianity, take away the benefits of Christ’s life. Just say no. Learn to say no to religious temptation as well as licentious temptation. Recognize fleshly ideas in all their forms. Recognize religious good looking flesh and say no. Recognize licentious bad looking flesh and say no.

Otherwise, simply trust Christ working through your own new creation and live! There are only two ways to walk for a believer: by the flesh or by the Spirit. If you are not willfully walking by the flesh then you are automatically walking by the Spirit. That is our default. Breath a sign of relief! Let that truth wash over you. Let your life be the “easy and light” way of life Christ promised - no matter the circumstances.

Notice I said “let”. It is our mindsets that quench the Spirit and prevent His work. “Letting” God work is a scriptural concept - it is the opposite of quenching. Reject these stressful mindsets that God is extracting some cost. Relax in Christ. Only from that place of faith will you be able to face whatever comes at you as Christ did.

I will leave you with these wise words from Paul the Apostle. Consider them carefully when outside messages or your own mind tries to convince you that you are not doing enough or paying enough cost (emphasis mine):

Acts 17:24-25 - “24-The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. 25-Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (BSB)

God does not need us to serve Him. He is not interested in us adding up our points by service like the prodigal’s brother. He simply wants us to act like sons and daughters. He wants us to participate in the family business of righteousness. We are fully equipped by Him to do this. We have been gifted His inheritance and all that comes with that. Yet, even then, He is not coercing us. He is not extracting some cost. He simply wants us to love because He loves us. Love is our inheritance.

Oops, one more thought. The Prodigal Sons - Both of Them Needed to Repent.

One final consideration, I promise! When you feel you must earn anything from God then your service will not be from love. It cannot be. Both of the sons in the story of the prodigal son have the same problem: they did not trust in their father's love for them. (Luke 15:11-32) They both felt they needed to earn it. One felt inadequate to earn it so he took the lacivious route. One thought he could actually earn it so he stayed home and tried. And they both missed the whole point. Their father's love was freely given as was everything else he owned.

In the end, there was more hope for the lacivious one. He hit rock bottom and returned to the father wanting to serve him. Wanting to make amends. But, the father wouldn't even listen to his apologies and threw him a party! He never wanted a servant, he wanted a son. He did not want apologies, he wanted his son to act like a son. A son who trusted his love and enjoyed status in the family. The father's kindness brought repentance for that son. (Romans 2:4) The father never even acknowledged his apology; he simply wrapped him in his love.

I'm not so sure about the repentance of the religiously zealous son who served. He certainly did not show the love of the father for his brother. He was jealous that his brother was treated like a son even though he had not “paid the cost” or served the father well. He could not see why the father would love and treasure his brother when not only did he not earn it, he deliberately left the father. He judged himself and others by what they did, not who they were. Even his own brother did not deserve love unless he earned it. He did not recognize the kindness of the father - he felt he was harsh and expected him to pay a cost for being a son. With this attitude, repentance would be difficult.

Love like a son or daughter of God.

I realize in context Christ was using this analogy for Pharisees and sinners or in the later aspects of the gospel - Jews and Gentiles. However, the main universal point was: He was describing the heart of His Father! This is the perfect ending to this article. Neither son was admirable. One operated out of religious, moral, serving type flesh; the other operated out of licentious, immoral, debauchery type flesh. They both needed to repent and change their mind about the Father's love. They needed to act like sons not servants. They did not need to earn the father's love or even make amends. They simply needed to trust in his unconditional love for them because they were his children. They needed the mindset of being sons or daughters and living within that inheritance.

There is no cost to being a son or daughter of God. When we think this way, we begin to act like the prodigal's brother. We begin to try and earn everything God freely offers. This is not faith and will not produce genuine fruit of the Spirit. Reject any thoughts like this. They sound pithy and religious but they will not help you. They will harm. They are not from God and they do not demonstrate His heart. Faith receives His gifts and promises with gladness in a recognition they are good. Any earning or cost mindset casts a negative shadow over what God freely offers.

My Actual Conclusion

I hope and pray this has given you food for thought. I hope it helps you consider those moments when you are under accusation that God is disappointed with you or you are not doing enough; suffering enough; or paying enough. Jesus paid it all…we can simply leave it right there. And then humbly accept the gifts He paid the ultimate price for. Don't try to earn what God offers for free. Think and act like the sons and daughters you are!

Everything the Father has is freely offered to us. We don't have to work for it - unless celebrating is work! The father celebrates His Son; now, we are invited to join that celebration as sons and daughters. Don't be like the prodigal's brother and diss the celebration and the father because you think there is a price to pay. Simply soak in the Father's love and enjoy everything He bestows upon you. There is no better way to live!