THE COST OF LIVING FOR GOD

Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my
God of that which dost cost me nothing. II Sam. 24:24.
Salvation is free. "The gift of God is eternal life thru Jesus.
Christ our Lord." Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9.
While salvation is free to us, it was costly to God.
It does cost us something to live for God. David had sinned
terribly in God's sight, and had come to the threshing
floor of Araunah to make an offering. He refused
Araunah's gift in the words of our text.
What is the cost of living for God?

I. Acceptance of the Lordship of Christ. He is more than
a Savior. Involves a surrendered will.
A. Great change came to Zaccheus when he said,
"Lord." Willing to restore four-fold.
B. Marvelous change in Thomas, when he said, "My
Lord."
C. Life transforming change in Saul, when he said
"Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?"

II. It costs the denial of self. This is the negative angle.
A. Self-denial means turning away from self-gratification.
Judas lived for self. Prodigal illustrates it.
B. "Take up thy cross," symbolizing death to self.

III. Absolute obedience to every command of Christ.
A. The disobedient Christian is not living for God, but
is setting himself up for chastening.
Disobedience brought death to many in wilderness.
It brought defeat to army of Joshua.
It caused the downfall of Saul as King of Israel.
It threw the children of Israel into bondage.
B. Positive obedience must be given, as by Peter;
when persecuted, he said: "We should obey God
rather than men." What kind of obedience should
we give him?
1. Deliberate obedience. Study every command.
2. Reckless obedience. World may laugh, and
you may not understand, but by blind faith
do it anyway.
3. Complete obedience. The command of Saul.
4. Loving obedience. Not on the basis of legal
requirements but because we love Him. "If
any man love me he will keep my words."