the old Toledo blade by Charles Spurgeon, from counting the cost.

Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. In the same way any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke Chapter 14 verses 27 and 33

The old Toledo blade cost the warrior much at first, but when he had once procured it he knew that it would cut through joint and marrow in the day of battle. so he was not afraid to dash into the thick of the fray, trusting to its unrivalled temper and keen edge.

Could he not find a cheaper sword? He could have found it easily enough, and with small expense, but then in the moment, when his sword smote upon his enemy's helmet, instead of cleaving through the skull, it would snap in the warrior's hand and cost him his life

In the same way, many professors of the Gospel take up a cheap religion. There is no self-denial in it, no forsaking of the world, no giving up of sinful amusements. They are just the same as the world. Their religion costs them nothing, and at last, when they need it, it will fail them. It will snap like the cheap, poorly made sword in the day of battle, and leave them defenceless.

Oh, if you want that which will endure the conflict, you must expend cost upon it. Many professing Christians never separate from the world. No, not they. They fall in with the fashions of the day, as the dead fish floats with the current. Have they any cross to bear? Does anybody mock them for living a holy life? Oh no, for theirs is the easy religion which the world praises, and consequently the religion which God abhors.

If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. He who has the smile of the ungodly must not expect the frown of God. No man has truly committed himself to Christ, unless he has also said, My Lord, this day I give to you my body, my soul, my talents, my goods, my house, my children, and all that I have. Henceforth I will hold them as your steward. As for me, I have nothing. I have surrendered all to you.

You cannot be Christ's disciples at any less cost than this. If you possess a farthing that is your own, then Christ is not your master. It must be all his, every single jot and tittle, and your life also, or you cannot be his disciple. Oh, count the cost! If any of you have taken up a religion which costs you nothing, then throw it down and flee from it, for it will be your curse and your ruin.

But may we not get to heaven without all this cost? No. You may be counterfeits, you may be hypocrites, you may be brethren of Judas, but you cannot be real Christians. The cost of the cross is unavoidable, it cannot be lessened one's solitary might. Salvation is not merely deliverance from hell and eternal suffering. It is deliverance from this world's vain and wicked ways.

If you would have justification, you must have sanctification. If you would have pardon of sin, you must have holiness of life. If you would walk the streets of gold above, you must walk the road of holiness below.