Counting the Cost

Questions Answered in This Article

What does the Bible say about our spiritual inability?

The Bible clearly teaches that fallen humanity is incapable of any spiritual good without divine intervention.

Scripture consistently affirms the total inability of fallen men to engage in spiritual good without being born again by the Holy Spirit. This is an essential aspect of sovereign grace theology, which emphasizes that regeneration is an act of God alone. Passages such as John 3:3 illustrate that one must be 'born again' to see the kingdom of God, indicating that spiritual perception and capability rest solely in God's sovereign will. Therefore, our confidence in being disciples of Christ is not based on our own abilities, but entirely on His grace and power.

John 3:3

How do we know the doctrine of total depravity is true?

The doctrine of total depravity is evidenced throughout Scripture, indicating mankind's utter inability to produce spiritual goodness independently.

Total depravity asserts that every aspect of humanity has been affected by sin, rendering us unable to please God apart from His grace. Several biblical passages support this doctrine, including Romans 3:10-12 which states that 'none is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.' This showcases our natural condition and underscores our need for divine intervention. The biblical narrative consistently points toward the necessity of being dependent on Christ alone for redemption and spiritual vitality, which affirms the truth of total depravity.

Romans 3:10-12

Why is counting the cost important for Christians?

Counting the cost is vital as it highlights our dependence on Christ and acknowledges our inability to fulfill discipleship in our strength.

Counting the cost in the context of discipleship does not imply that we must evaluate our own resources or capabilities; rather, it serves as a reminder of our utter dependence upon Christ for enabling us to live out our faith. In Luke 14:28-30, Jesus discusses the importance of understanding what it means to follow Him, signifying that true discipleship requires recognizing one's limitations and the necessity of grace. This is crucial because without acknowledging our spiritual inability, we risk attempting to build our lives on self-reliance rather than faith in Christ. Therefore, counting the cost ultimately redirects us to trust in His sufficiency.

Luke 14:28-30