Count the Cost

Can you recall a time in your life when you put the interests of others before your own? Maybe letting others go in front of you at the grocery store? Or maybe something more costly than your time? Perhaps you denied yourself some delicacies to help a friend alleviate a financial crisis. The process is pretty straightforward: we bless others, they are encouraged, and we feel good. Praise the Lord! We are called to be a blessing and look for those opportunities to obey. However, do we look with the same tenacity to deny ourselves? The call of our Creator...this is not only the most difficult thing to do with our lives, but apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, it is utterly impossible to practice humility. Jesus plainly stated, “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mk. 8:34). 

In the context of this gospel narrative, Mark is not suggesting a domesticated version of denying ourselves. It is more than denying ourselves something we like during Lent. This is a literal forsaking of self. Forsaking living for ourselves, our desires, and our self-motivated pursuits. Instead, getting behind him, following him towards the death he died. Jesus uses Peter’s rebuke as a teaching moment to admonish the disciples and the crowds that were following him; he was setting the precedent of the cost of the cross. Ironically, Peter would think of this teaching moment when he denied knowing Jesus before he was delivered to Pilate for the very death he predicted (Mk. 14:66–72). In this moment, Peter desired to save his life, so he denied Jesus. However, we know the story. Jesus restores Peter after the resurrection, commissions him, then Peter receives the promised Holy Spirit, and he fulfills the ministry by also dying on a cross–he found life. 

Paul picks up that notion of denying ourselves as built into the new covenant; he says that our old self was crucified with Christ, that we would die to sin and walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:1–14). As part of the baptism ceremony, we immerse the believer and say “buried with Christ in baptism and raised to walk in the newness of life.” By this, we are acknowledging Christ’s death in our own. This ceremony marks the spiritual life of a Christian dying to oneself and living for Jesus Christ. 

We all have the universal call to deny ourselves as stated above; our selfish desires, interests, and motivations. That will look different for each one of us. This is a necessary discipline of becoming like Jesus. He died to himself for our good, that we might have life by him losing his. So let us lose our lives and take up the gospel life that we get to live.  

What does counting the cost of denying yourself look like right now? Are there others in your life who know you well enough to speak into this area of your life? 

Written by: Michael Van Dyke 

Devil’s Den, Discipline, and Delight

“We can totally do this”, the three of us unanimously agreed. Oh, how naïve youth and ignorance can make us. The name, “Devil Den’s State Park”, should’ve been enough of a warning sign but when have young men ever let a park’s name stop them from pursuits of glory? 

The plan was to hike the Butterfield Hiking Trail. That’s it. No training, purchasing gear, gathering intel from trust hikers, or emergency plans if things went sideways. We set out on the 15.6 miles labeled as “hard”, “experienced hikers only”, and other warnings that I’m sure were there but they would only get in the way of our goal of conquering the trail. No matter the cautions we wouldn’t let reality diminish our illusory confidence that “we can totally do this.” 

To save you from the gory details, here’s the short of it: We completed the trail, beaten, humbled, and hurting for several days afterward. We failed to take seriously what it would take to make it through the hike without destroying ourselves in the process. 

The Christian life of following Jesus can be similar. In moments of spiritual renewal, we make emotionally charged declarations of obedience and faithfulness to Jesus. While these declarations can be normal parts of the Christian life, we often fail to prepare a disciplined plan to help sustain us when our will fails.  

The Path of Obedience 

Obedience is a clear indication of our love for Jesus. It is through obedience that we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and our commitment to His will. Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). This is not a burdensome requirement but a joyful response to His love and grace. At times, joy in obedience will come naturally. Inexplicably, our will, desire, and affections are stirred from within propelling us to keep in-step with Jesus’ commands. At other times, joy in obedience seems arduous. The necessity of discipline keeps us from letting our will, desire, and affections hijack our commitment to Jesus.  

An anticipated moment that every Christian must prepare for is when our emotions take us to I don’t “feel” or “want” to keep God’s commands. Obedience involves aligning our actions, thoughts, and attitudes with God's Word. It requires surrendering our own desires and submitting to His authority. While this can be challenging, it is also incredibly rewarding.  

Discipline is the prepared plan to continually put you near Jesus. Discipline isn’t dependent upon whether we “feel” like it or not. Discipline will till the soil to stir the will, desire, and affections that usher in delight. It is the discipline of regularly putting yourself in proximity to be changed by Jesus, with faith that, eventually, delight will come.  

I want to encourage you to reflect on the areas of your life where you might be struggling with obedience. Are you letting your emotions prevent you from proximity to Jesus? Ask God to help you align your will with His and to give you the strength to follow His commands. Plan for seasons where delight is M.I.A. He’ll meet you there. 

Remember, obedience is a journey, not a destination. Take it one step at a time. 

Written by: Pastor Andy Swart 

Andy Swart has been a member of The Mount since 2019. If he’s not working or spending time with his family, you can find him working on one of his passion projects: garage organization.