Counting the Cost — The Narrow Way of the Kingdom

Jesus never promised an easy road for those who follow Him. In fact, He said quite the opposite:

“Enter by the narrow gate… For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
— Matthew 7:13–14

The early Christians didn’t just understand this—they lived it. Their path was narrow. Their lives were hard. But they counted the cost, took up their crosses, and followed their King with joy.

They knew that Kingdom citizenship came with sacrifice, but they also knew it came with an eternal reward.

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They Counted the Cost Before Following

Unlike modern altar calls that often emphasize blessing over burden, the early Church believed that following Christ meant dying to self. Jesus warned:

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple… any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
— Luke 14:27, 33

This wasn’t theoretical. They risked their jobs, homes, families, and lives. And they followed anyway.

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They Chose the Hard Road Over the Popular One

The world offered comfort, protection, and compromise. But these believers knew that the wide road leads to destruction. They chose:

• Poverty over dishonesty
• Imprisonment over idolatry
• Martyrdom over military service
• Rejection over reputation

They knew that obedience might cost them everything. And still, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ (Acts 5:41).

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Discipleship Was a Lifelong Surrender

For them, faith wasn’t a moment—it was a movement of the heart toward lifelong obedience. Baptism marked the beginning of a radical new allegiance. They didn’t ask, “What’s the minimum I must give?” They asked, “How can I give all?”

“Let none of you turn deserter… let us serve God with a pure heart, and we shall be found righteous in the last day.”
— 2 Clement 11

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What About Today?

The Church today often minimizes the cost to maximize attendance. But Christ never changed His standard. The gate is still narrow. The cross is still required. And true discipleship still demands total surrender.

To be a citizen of the Kingdom means to walk a road that the world will never understand—but one that leads to life eternal.

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What We Can Learn

1. Jesus calls us to count the cost—not just raise a hand.
2. Discipleship means daily surrender and sacrifice.
3. The narrow road is hard—but it leads to life.
4. The reward far outweighs the suffering.

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Sources:

• The Holy Bible — Matthew 7:13–14; Luke 14:27, 33; Acts 5:41
• 2 Clement, ch. 11
• Tertullian, On Baptism
• Hermas, Commandments and Similitudes

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