Free or costly? Yes. It’s all through scripture.

In Luke 14:28 – We are advised to count the cost.

Matt. 13:44-46  – The hidden treasure and the pearl of great price.

Luke 18:22 – Rich Young Ruler – not willing to pay the price.

Luke 14:33 – So likewise whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple.

We are all called to give up what we value more than God.

Matt. 10:37-39   He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. 

Our life is bound up with the lives of those we love – but we can’t love them more than God. We are all called to release those we love to God’s plan – whatever that is. 

The price we are called to pay is our life – absolute surrender.  We are all called to be love slaves.  For years, Exodus 21:4-6 about Hebrew slaves being set free in the 7^th year confused me.  If they were married and had children during their 6 years of service – they could go, but they had to leave without their family.  If they loved the master, their wife and their children –they could choose to become a love slave and serve the master forever.  It seemed like a difficult or harsh choice – and then God spoke to my heart and said, It’s a wicked and ungrateful servant who wants the blessings of the master without serving the master!! Why did I ever have the idea that was okay?!!

Freedom From a Self-Centered Life William Law/Andrew Murray: All teaching about spiritual truth points the way to something that must be purchased at great price.  All the pleasure the teaching gives us is to lure us to pay the price needed to secure the treasure.  Giving up all our own life is the price.  We are not meant to ever live the mixed life in which the old man has the upper hand.  The Spirit waits to fill us as soon as we are ready to buy without holding back part of the price.

It was not acceptable for Ananias and Saphira to look like they were paying the full price when they weren’t, and it is not acceptable for me.

From the beginning of time, God has been clear – some offerings are acceptable to Him – others are not.  Some sacrifices are meant to be whole burnt offerings.  Leftovers are not merely inadequate, they’re evil.  – Chan

Ezk. 14:3  These men have set up idols in their hearts and put before them that which causes them to stumble into iniquity.

2 Kings 17:41 – These nations feared the LORD but also served their idols.  Their children and grandchildren continue doing as their fathers did until this day. That’s too high a price to pay for our idols. 

Sometimes it is such a startling revelation to see how much like those Biblical people I am. 

Absolute surrender – God’s will – God’s time – God’s way. Radical obedience – complete and prompt.

Chan – Crazy Love – Do I have as much of God as I want? It’s shown in all of our choices – not just the big ones.  Am I willing to say to God that He can have whatever He wants?