David Bercot ties 2 Corinthians 13:5 (“Examine yourselves…Test yourselves”) to Jesus’ warning to “count the cost” in Luke 14; what does this combination suggest about God’s expectations for discipleship—especially regarding finishing what we start?
Another way to ask: Bercot connects “examine yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5) with Jesus’ command to “count the cost” (Luke 14). What does that say about what God expects from a disciple, especially about finishing what we start?
Direct Answer
Based on David Bercot’s teaching, God expects discipleship to be a serious, tested commitment—one that looks ahead to whether we will actually finish, not merely begin.
Support from Transcript:
He opens with Paul’s command: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves” (2 Cor. 13:5), framing discipleship as something that must be proved.
He immediately pairs this with Jesus’ “count the cost” teaching about building a tower, warning of the shame of starting and not finishing: “This man began to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30).
He connects discipleship to war as well as building: “We’re about to plunge into a fierce war against Satan, the world, and our own flesh.”
He highlights the concrete demand: “whoever…does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33).
He says the point of examination is preparing for “the quest ahead” and praying daily for strength “to meet those particular challenges.”
Discussion Follow-ups
What does “finishing” look like in real habits and choices? How does self-testing protect us from pretending we are building while actually stalling?
