“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19

Katie mentioned to me that we were out of Diet Coke. We had 3 different kinds of flavored water, milk, coffee, Diet Dr. Pepper and even water out of the faucet or in the bottle. But no Diet Coke! Since I make it a goal to try to please my wife, I was standing in the grocery store staring at the labels… doing what I don’t like. Head math!

I was in a conundrum! “Get a case of Diet Coke” was the goal. But saving money ALWAYS overrides ANY purchase. Not considering myself cheap, I DO choose to be frugal! The price on a special sticker below notified me that I could buy 2 and get one FREE! With an opportunity like that, how could I pass? Then I did what I don’t do well… head math!

There are people MUCH smarter than me who have figured every possible angle to sell as much of their product as possible. From shelf location on to the wording on the labels, companies have made it their business to get more business. And sometimes deception works. I remembered seeing a sign once that read, “2 for the price of 3!” Naturally, it was a joke. But ONLY if one took the time to process the label! I don’t process math fast enough to simply read and compute! It takes me TIME to figure! Reading God’s Word does too.

Being saved from the penalty of sin is the first thing that a Christian experiences. For some of us, that part is fun and freeing! But it doesn’t take long to learn that after making Jesus my Savior, I am also called to make Him my LORD! THAT takes some figurin! And because none of us are the same or carry the same issues, each of us is called to change the way we think and do things.

I am a Believer in Jesus Christ. I KNOW where I’m going when I die! But the process of living with that knowledge requires me to have secondary thoughts on HOW to live HERE until I go THERE! Today’s verse is like buying Diet Coke. I don’t just go pick it up! I take time to figure out where, when and how much it REALLY costs. Taking OTHER’S peace and edification into consideration ALWAYS affects the ultimate price. And Jesus EXPECTS me to pay it in full!

Have you figured out how much effort following Jesus costs YOU?