Cost of Discipleship

QUESTION: Cost of discipleship - Will I lose my friends?

ANSWER:

Whatever stage of life you are in, discipleship will cause changes to happen in your heart. As you grow closer to God, you will have less of a desire to sin and more of an urge to obey God. Your attitudes, values, morals, and desires will change and this will affect your relationships. This is a cost of discipleship.

You may find that you begin to make new friends - friends who share your values and beliefs. However, you may also have opportunities to share your new-found faith with your existing friends as they see the change take place in your life. Try not to concentrate on whether you will lose your friends. Instead focus showing Christ's love to them.

Even though the cost of discipleship can be heavy, your heavenly Father loves you and knows what you need. When you allow Him to change your heart, remember that He is a good God who can be trusted. He loves you and wants His best for you. He has your best interest at heart and wants to fulfill His wonderful plan for your life. So although the cost of discipleship may be great, it is always a worthwhile sacrifice! When you get discouraged, remember the verse in 2 Samuel 24:24: "…I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing…" When we offer that which is precious to us up to the Lord, He values it and it is beautiful in His sight.