Choosing the Cross
Week 4: The Cost of Discipleship
Luke 9:23-25
We live in a world full of choices—what to wear, what to eat, what to pursue. But some choices shape everything else. Jesus doesn’t just invite us to admire Him—He calls us to follow Him, even when the path is costly.
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
—Luke 9:23–25 (NIV)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?”
—Luke 9:23–25 (NIV)
Jesus doesn’t soften the invitation. Following Him means surrendering control, comfort, and self-interest. It’s not a one-time decision—it’s a daily choice to say “yes” to the cross and “no” to the patterns of the world.
This kind of discipleship begins with God’s grace. He reaches out to us before we even know we need Him. That’s the mercy that draws us in. When we respond to His love, we’re invited to let go of the life we’ve built on our own terms and trust Him to lead us into something deeper.
The cross isn’t just a symbol—it’s a way of life. It means choosing humility over pride, service over status, and sacrifice over self-preservation. And while the cost is real, so is the reward: life that’s full, free, and rooted in Christ.
Transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It grows as we walk with Jesus, one step at a time. That’s how our hearts are reshaped, our minds renewed, and our lives aligned with His will.
This kind of discipleship begins with God’s grace. He reaches out to us before we even know we need Him. That’s the mercy that draws us in. When we respond to His love, we’re invited to let go of the life we’ve built on our own terms and trust Him to lead us into something deeper.
The cross isn’t just a symbol—it’s a way of life. It means choosing humility over pride, service over status, and sacrifice over self-preservation. And while the cost is real, so is the reward: life that’s full, free, and rooted in Christ.
Transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It grows as we walk with Jesus, one step at a time. That’s how our hearts are reshaped, our minds renewed, and our lives aligned with His will.
- Each morning this week, pray: “Jesus, I choose Your way today—even when it’s hard.”
- Choose one area of your life—work, relationships, or habits—and ask: “Am I conforming to the world here, or being transformed by Christ?
- Read Romans 12:1–2 aloud each day as a declaration of surrender and renewal.
Jesus, You didn’t promise an easy road—but You promised to walk it with us. Help us to choose the cross daily, to surrender what we cannot keep for the life we cannot lose. Shape us into disciples who reflect Your love, courage, and grace. Amen.
Thoughts for Reflection:
1. What does it mean to “lose your life” for Jesus in your everyday decisions? (See Philippians 3:7–8)
2. Are there areas where you’ve been trying to “gain the world” at the expense of your soul? (See Matthew 6:33)
Posted in 2025 Discipleship Devotional Series
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