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 unrivaled 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 defenseless. 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 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
In C. H. Spurgeon's sermon "The Old Toledo Blade," the central theological topic centers on the cost of discipleship and the necessity of self-denial in the Christian life. Spurgeon argues that true discipleship requires a total commitment to Christ, including the relinquishing of personal possessions and worldly affiliations. He employs Scripture references such as Luke 14:27-33 and Matthew 16:24 to underline that anyone unwilling to bear their cross and forsake everything for Christ cannot genuinely claim to be His disciple. This teaching holds significant doctrinal importance in Reformed theology, emphasizing that salvation entails not only justification but also sanctification, reflecting that a faith which does not result in a transformed life is insufficient and potentially counterfeit.
Key Quotes
“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.”
“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.”
“You cannot be Christ's disciples at any less cost than this.”
“If you would have justification, you must have sanctification.”
The Bible teaches that carrying one's cross is essential for true discipleship, as seen in Luke 14:27.
The call to carry one’s cross is a profound declaration of Jesus regarding the cost of discipleship. In Luke 14:27, Jesus states that anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple. This teaches that following Christ requires complete devotion and often entails sacrifice, such as giving up personal desires and worldly attachments. Just as a warrior must endure through hardship to wield a reliable weapon, Christians must embrace the challenges of faith to truly follow Christ.
Moreover, Spurgeon emphasizes the danger of a 'cheap religion,' where professing Christians do not experience self-denial, nor do they endure any form of persecution or ridicule for their faith. Such a religion, costing nothing, is ultimately ineffectual when trials come, leaving one defenseless. The essence of true discipleship is a radical commitment to Christ, surrendering all aspects of life to Him, which finds its roots in the scriptural teachings about the nature of true faith and dedication.
True discipleship is costly as it demands total surrender to Christ, including one's life, as stated in Luke 14:33.
The Scriptures clearly assert that true discipleship involves a significant cost—one that is unavoidable for real Christians. In Luke 14:33, Jesus declares that anyone who does not give up everything he has cannot be His disciple. This reflects the necessity of total commitment to Christ, where one must be willing to sacrifice personal interests for the sake of following Him. The costliness of faith is not merely about earthly possessions but encompasses every aspect of life, including relationships, ambitions, and desires.
Spurgeon points out that many who profess faith adopt a superficial version of Christianity without understanding the depth of love and commitment required by Christ. Such individuals may enjoy the benefits of community but lack the transformative power of genuine faith, which demands the believer's all. In effect, true discipleship demands that one counts the cost, recognizing that following Christ may require enduring hardships and societal scorn. This is crucial in understanding the heart of the Gospel, as salvation encompasses both justification and the call to live a holy and separated life.
Sacrificial living is crucial for Christians as it reflects true discipleship and commitment to Christ's teachings.
Sacrificial living serves as a hallmark of true Christianity, embodying the essence of following Christ. Understanding that the call to discipleship is inherently intertwined with the concept of self-denial is vital. Luke 14:27 instructs believers that those who wish to follow Jesus must carry their crosses, which symbolizes an enduring commitment to a life marked by sacrifice and obedience to God's will. It is imperative, then, that Christians acknowledge this element of cost in their spiritual journey.
Spurgeon cautions against the allure of an easy, worldly religion that demands nothing from its followers. Such a path ultimately leads to spiritual ruin when trials arise, as seen in the metaphor of a poorly made sword that breaks under pressure. In contrast, genuine faith necessitates a full surrender of one's life, talents, and possessions to God, indicating that what is valued and held dear must be willingly laid down at the feet of Christ. Hence, embracing sacrificial living not only honors God's call but also equips believers to withstand the challenges of faith, affirming the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.
Sermon Transcript
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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.
About Charles Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 — 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. His nickname is the "Prince of Preachers."
Pristine Grace functions as a digital library of preaching and teaching from many different men and ministries. I maintain a broad collection for research, study, and listening, and the presence of any preacher or message here should not be taken as a blanket endorsement of every doctrinal position expressed.
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