Most people who know me understand that I like country-and-western music. Recently, I heard on the radio, one of the songs from days gone by. The last line, "If you doubt this, just think of the cross...," reminds me of Jesus' words to His disciples, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are My friends if you do whatever I command you." {John 15:13,14} Please allow me to share with you the thoughts that crossed my mind as I thought about this song.
Many news programs and newspaper articles lament the demise, in our society, of the "traditional family;" but this demise is due to America's failure to follow the Scriptural blueprint laid out by God. If we had more confidence in God's designs and followed them instead of our own, we could take a giant step toward reversing the current trend.
"Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." {Ephesians 5:25} If a man's wife is in danger of losing her life, does he have to "count the cost" of saving her? Hopefully not! For the man who loves his wife as Christ loved the church, the decision is already made! Do you think God's Son "counted the cost" when He shed His blood to purchase the church? Do you ever wonder why? {Luke 19:10; Acts 10:38; 20:28; Romans 5:8}
Mothers often sacrifice for their children; if your child's life were in danger, would you sit and ponder what to do about it? Absolutely not! Why? "Where there is love, you don't count the cost!" Mothers love their children and would do anything to protect them from any harm that might befall them. Do you think God's Son "counted the cost" as He faced Calvary's cruel cross for us? God's Son willingly died on that cross because of the love he had for mankind. Man has known no greater sacrifice--none can surpass it. Why? He even died for those who were His enemies!
"But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." {1 John 3:17,18} When I have both the ability and the opportunity to help one of my brethren, shouldn't I do so? Does the one who takes time to "count the cost" truly love his brother? True love considers only the need and how it can be met.
As Christians, what do others see by our actions? Brethren, when a person truly has a deep, abiding love for another, he never considers the cost of actively demonstrating that love. My father and mother made many sacrifices for me; yet, I know that, because of their love for me, they never hesitated. Today, as a husband and father, if I'm confronted with a difficult decision concerning my family, the choice is already made. Why? Because I love them! Let us truly be the kind of people who, when it "comes to love, don't count the cost." Do you think that our Lord even considered any option other than giving His life on that cross? He understood that it would be a terrible death. He faced that test alone, but He did not waiver. This is the example our Lord left for us to follow in our own lives.
No, God has not called for you or me to be nailed to a cross. But, He does ask that we be willing to "ignore the cost" when it comes to showing our love for others. When faced with these types of situations, the Christian's choice is already decided--we don't count the cost. We do what we need to do. Dear reader, when it comes to love, do you count the cost?