Scriptures on Paying the Price for Salvation

Acts 4:32-35

32   And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

33   And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

4:34   Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

35   And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Do you desire to go to heaven no matter what the cost?  None of us will make it by keeping back part of the price.   Are you willing to pay the price to get victory over whatever is trying to come between you and heaven?

When Annanias and  Saphira fell over dead because they tried to convey that they were giving all when they were holding back part, fear came on others.  Do you have a fear of holding back part of the price?  Verses 3-5

They were pretending.  Doing the right thing when you don't feel like doing it is NOT pretending; it's putting the flesh under and being obedient. Pretending is when you are not obeying but act like you are.

Verses. 6-8 

Acts 5:1-11

King James Version (KJV)

5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much

9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

Sometimes what we decide to do will affect others--just as Ananias and  Saphira affected one another.  They were both privy to the decision. They decided together to handle it this way.

When we get saved we become a living sacrifice.  Whatever the cost, we must be willing to pay.

Psalm 27:4

King James Version (KJV)

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Living Bible (TLB)

4 The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his Temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory.

"More than anything in my life, I want to make it."

More than possessions, promotions at work, than children, than giving into my feelings.

Matthew 13:44-46.

44   Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

45   Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 

46   Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 

These men sold everything in order to get this treasure, this pearl of great price.  The kingdom of heaven is like that.

Is there anything in your life that you're trying to hold back on?

People have always had all kinds of reasons why they aren't paying full price.  Excuses.

Luke 14:16-21, 25-26

Luke 14:16-21

King James Version (KJV)

16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

Luke 14:25-26

King James Version (KJV)

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

If you're going to come to Jesus, you will have to love everyone less than God.

People will sell their soul for a dream of having the life and blessings saved people have but they don't get it from the world and self.

You must work out your salvation "with fear and trembling"; it's serious. We will not coast into heaven.  

Philippians 2:12.

 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

You need to be like a piece of a puzzle that God can place right where you fit-- right where He wants you.

When you pay full price and do things right, you are a shining light.  Be SERIOUS about the things of God.  We are living in an age when it's easy to get lax ( because there are so many things to distract you and take your time).

Luke 14:27.

27   And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

There will be things you don't want to give up but God will say, "Give it up."   Will you pay the price?  Or, like the rich young ruler, will you go away sad when Jesus tells you to "sell all that you have"?    And  "Follow me".  

Matt 9:9. 

 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Romans 12:1-2

1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

If you realize something is coming between you and God are you willing to give it up?  There may be some things that are not sin but could be more important to you than God.  Or they might lead to sin?  Are you doing things the pastor has preached against?  If you are, that choice will create a wall between you and the pastor.

Are you willing to sit or be sat upon?  To be a follower of Christ, you will have to die out to yourself. Carnality will eventually produce sinful works...that which will separate you from God.