Cost

Mat 11:12  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

The kingdom of God is taken by spiritual violence and spiritually strong and forceful people from moment to moment snatch, seize it, and take it away as a precious bounty.

 Rom 12:2  And be not conformed ( don’t follow the schematic drawing or the blueprint of this world system) to this world: but be ye transformed (metamorphosis; or attain to a complete and radical inward change and becoming a totally different individual)  by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove (only when we are radically changed can we then test, approve and possess for ourselves the mature, well pleasing, and good will of God) what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Transformation is the same word used for the metamorphosis of a tadpole to a frog or a caterpillar to a butterfly.  If we do not pay the price to affect that transformation, we will never be free.

 Acts 20:24  But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

Of no account do I make or hold my life in honor, so that I may complete my course on the horse track on which I am racing upon with joy, and the ministry that I received from the Lord to testify fully and thoroughly of the glad tidings of the grace of God.

 Philippians 3:12  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after ( BIBLICAL WORD FOR PERSECUTION) , if that I may apprehend  (GRASP AND SEIZE) that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

I persecute, pursue, and overtake, in hope that I can grasp, seize, and make my own, all of what is contained in what Christ originally grasped and seized me for.

Philippians  3:13  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Therefore, I neglect and no longer care for what is behind me. I stretch myself out and towards, and run swiftly after what is before me. The direction being, the mark of the goal of the high price of unbroken fellowship of Christ’s resurrection life, and the hope of His calling for me.

 1 Timothy 6:19  Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Seize and grab to, pull in, and make it our own possession.  Eternal life while we are on the earth is the resurrection life.  It does not come magically to us but must be seized and pulled in though obedience.

Matthew 25:1  Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

Matthew 25:3  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

Took  from the Greek word to receive. To get, possess, and make my own. The foolish virgins did not obtain, and possessed the fullness of the Spirit.

 Galatians 4:19  My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

Gal 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth(inward strength and force, to have strength to overcome health, ability, capacity) any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 

Only Christ being formed and birthed in us is of any capacity or ability for us to overcome and get the spiritual victory.