In the Bible, the concept of "cost" often relates to the price one must pay for discipleship, moral integrity, or the pursuit of God’s kingdom. In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes this in Luke 14:28-30, where He speaks about the necessity of calculating the cost before building a tower, illustrating that discipleship requires a serious commitment. He follows this teaching by stating that anyone who does not "renounce all that he has" cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:33). This highlights that following Christ may require significant sacrifices, including relationships, possessions, and personal ambitions.Moreover, the term "cost" can also imply the value placed on spiritual truths versus earthly gains. In Philippians 3:7-8, the Apostle Paul expresses that he considers all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. This reflects a theme throughout Scripture where the ultimate cost is weighed against the eternal rewards of faithfulness to God. Thus, the biblical understanding of "cost" transcends mere monetary implications, encapsulating a broader spiritual and existential dimension that calls believers to evaluate their priorities in light of their relationship with God.
In this sermon, Dr. Tozer shares a story about a little man he encountered whose face was disfigured from suffering. The man said, "thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine," emphasizing the importance of going through trials and refining in our spiritual lives. Dr. Tozer reminds the audience t