Self-renunciation is an indispensable condition of following Christ, demanding full and selfless service to God with our hearts and minds, not just our bodies. True discipleship, as emphasized in Luke 14:25-33, requires forsaking all that we have as a mandatory condition to becoming Christ's disciples. One who faithfully follows Christ must be prepared to love less their father, mother, wife, children, and even their own life, placing loyalty to Jesus Christ and God the Father above all earthly loves, with God first in our life. The cost of discipleship means a life of surrender to God's will and sacrifice for His cause. Disciples do not journey to His Kingdom for free; it costs them their lives. Christ requires nothing of us that He Himself has not done, having lived with humiliation and agony to fulfill God's will. Both the Father and the Son counted the cost before proceeding with their plan for humanity's salvation, with Jesus knowing ahead of time what it would take to accomplish the divine goal. In the parable of the tower-builder in Luke 14:28-30, the truth is shown to be a costly thing, and before entering God's way of life, we should estimate the cost, recognizing that whatever it costs, it is worth it. Failure to count the cost of following Christ results in an incomplete life, as Jesus warns that no one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the Kingdom of God. The parable of a king going to war in Luke 14:31-32 continues the theme of counting the cost, where the king must estimate lives, money, and equipment, and have resolve to enter battle. As King, Jesus has already counted and paid the cost in His flesh, setting an example, and chooses the right people for the battle—those who will listen and obey with determination. The saints, in preparation to be kings in the Kingdom, must also count the cost of their lives, willing to triumph over satan, the world, and their own human nature with perseverance, endurance, willpower, and a willingness to sacrifice. Jesus teaches in Luke 14:33 that discipleship must include planning and sacrifice, requiring us to forsake all and be willing to run the full distance to arrive at the Kingdom of God. Followers must be sure they are willing to pay the full price of discipleship, sacrificing pleasures, distractions, material possessions, and even family if they prevent serving God. In this war against powerful enemies—satan, the world, and our human nature—we must exercise self-control, count the cost, and be willing to sacrifice, overcoming only with the help of the Spirit of our King.

When Jesus Christ began His ministry, He sought disciples who could deny themselves and bear a cross, as He declares in Matthew 16:24, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. A Christian must renounce self-dependence and selfish pursuits, embracing the conditions God has appointed and bearing the troubles of walking the Christian road. In Galatians 5:24, it is written that those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires, taking a firm stand against personal urges that oppose God's righteousness. Jesus further illustrates the cost of discipleship in Mark 10:21, telling the rich young ruler to sell all he had, give to the poor, take up the cross, and follow Him, testing his willingness to leave everything behind. In Luke 14:33, He states that whoever does not forsake all cannot be His disciple. Some of His chosen disciples, like Matthew, a wealthy tax collector, and Peter, who had a wife, faced the decision to abandon everything to follow Him. God seeks an attitude of willingness to give up everything for the Kingdom, even if He may not require it completely. The proof of this willingness lies in good works, as emphasized in James 2. Jesus highlights such works in Matthew 25:35-36, 40, suggesting acts of help like supplying food, drink, temporary housing, clothing, aiding the sick, and visiting the imprisoned. Additionally, in I Corinthians 8:10-13, Paul urges sensitivity to weaker consciences, advising against actions that might cause others to stumble, even if it means sacrificing personal freedoms. This principle of looking out for others' interests, as stated in Philippians 2:4, reflects the essence of godly love and the cost of true discipleship.

There is no such thing as free discipleship; it comes with significant costs that must be acknowledged and paid. Jesus warns in Luke 14:25-30 that following Him may lead to the loss of respect and association with close family members who do not appreciate the changes in a convert's life, as they remain blinded to spiritual truths. He suggests that a disciple's life may appear unstable to outsiders, with demands on time and loyalty that could turn loved ones into adversaries. Christ makes it clear that He expects wholehearted, unreserved commitment with no longing to return to former ways, despite His well-known mercy. Moreover, the defense and maintenance of spiritual freedom require a disciplined investment of time and energy. Jesus emphasizes in John 8:31-32 that truth makes a disciple free, but this freedom does not come instantly; it demands abiding in His word, which means to continue, dwell, remain, and endure in a consistent pattern. Truth and freedom go hand in hand, but only if truth is actively used, much like money must be spent or invested to have value. Urgent needs arise in defending one's standing before God, alongside the daily discipline of study, prayer, and service to God and others. The kind of freedom God offers comes progressively, requiring disciples to overcome challenges and grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as admonished in Revelation 2-3 and II Peter 3:18. Failing to make the right efforts to defend God-given liberties, as seen in Israel's wilderness experience, can lead to dire consequences. The Israelites, though freed from Egyptian slavery, did not discipline themselves to submit to God's rule, despite witnessing His power, and most perished without reaching the Promised Land due to their unwillingness to pay the costs of obedience. Disciples must count these costs and commit to maintaining and expanding their spiritual freedom through persistent effort and appreciation of the sacrifices made, especially the ultimate sacrifice of Christ's life, which established the New Covenant in His blood.