Before anyone decides to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, they should consider very carefully whether
or not they are willing to commit all the way. Jesus made it very clear that He is not interested in half-hearted commitment,
but wants people to follow who are willing to give it all they have without quitting along the way.
Consider his own words:
"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever loses
his life for me will find it." Matthew 16:24,25
'Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and say good-by to my family." Jesus replied,"No
one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for serivice in the kingdom of God." ' Luke 9:61,62
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate (i.e. choose me over) his father and mother, his wife and children,
his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross
and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26,27
"...any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:33
These are some intensely costly obligations for anyone who wants to follow Christ. Basically, you
have to be willing to give up everything to follow. Perhaps you won't have to lose everything, but if the time came
when you did have to choose between obeying Christ and holding onto something or someone you care about, would you choose
Jesus over that something or someone? It's a hard decision to make, but we must count the cost; if we do not, we'll
be fools who don't finish what we've started (Luke 14:28-33).
No rash decisions. No hasty commitments. Choose thoughtfully and choose well what you will do
with the Master's invitation to follow Him. Just remember that the way to life is harder to choose because it has
a smaller entrance and a narrower road to walk:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad the road that leads to destruction and many
enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew
7:13,14).
No matter how much it will require of you, know this: following Jesus Christ and giving your life over to
Him so He can reshape it is the best and most rewarding decision you can make. As hard and scary as it can be, it should
be made, and today is the best day to make it.
