by Ester yusufu | 5 March 2020 08:46 pm03
Many people claim to follow Jesus, but not all have truly become His disciples. According to Scripture, becoming a disciple involves more than just believing in God or attending church. It demands a complete surrender of your life, including your desires, plans, and identity.
One of the first and most essential requirements Jesus gave for discipleship was this:
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
(Luke 9:23)
To deny yourself means to let go of your personal will and replace it with God’s will. It means you no longer live for what pleases you, but for what pleases Christ.
This aligns with what Paul said:
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me…”
(Galatians 2:20)
If you’re still living in your old lifestyle—clinging to sinful habits, worldly friendships, and selfish ambitions—you have not yet denied yourself. That means you’re not truly a disciple yet.
Sometimes, your biggest obstacle is not your own will, but the influence of others—your family, friends, or even your children.
Jesus was clear:
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”
(Matthew 10:37)
In other words, no relationship—no matter how close—should be more important than your obedience to Christ.
This teaching echoes the First Commandment:
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
(Exodus 20:3)
Today, your “god” might be your child, spouse, business, or image—but if you’re not willing to lay all those things down for the sake of Christ, you’re not worthy of Him.
You can’t truly follow Jesus and continue living in known sin. Whether it’s fornication (sex outside marriage), masturbation, pornography, bribery, drunkenness, or dishonest work—if you still hold onto these and refuse to repent, then according to Scripture, you are deceiving yourself.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers… nor thieves… will inherit the kingdom of God.”
(1 Corinthians 6:9–10)
You may serve in church, sing in the choir, tithe faithfully, and still be disqualified if you’re not living in holiness. God is not interested in religious activities—He desires obedience and purity of heart.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
(Hebrews 12:14)
Some people say, “I’ve tried to stop sinning, but I can’t.” They ask for prayers to overcome, but in truth, many haven’t yet made a real decision to deny themselves.
Biblically, there’s no prayer that can replace your personal decision to turn from sin. God gives grace after you choose to obey Him:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
(James 4:7)
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
(James 4:8)
Victory over sin begins with a decision, not emotion. The power to walk in freedom comes after repentance, not before.
Some people are afraid to let go of worldly fashion, behavior, or language because of how others might perceive them. They don’t want to look “too spiritual” or offend their friends. But Jesus warned:
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”
(Luke 9:26)
Being ashamed of Christ—whether in your appearance, your speech, or your life choices—puts your salvation at risk. You cannot follow Jesus in secret and expect to be recognized by Him on the day of judgment.
True repentance is more than feeling sorry. It’s a complete turning away from sin and turning toward Christ in obedience:
“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him…”
(Isaiah 55:7)
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
(Acts 3:19)
If you repent and leave your sins, then the Holy Spirit will empower you to walk in victory.
Finally, ask yourself: is there anything you’re unwilling to surrender for Jesus?
Jesus warned:
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
(Matthew 16:26)
You can gain the respect of people, wealth, popularity, or comfort—but if you miss Christ, you’ve lost everything.
If you’ve been walking in compromise or pretending to follow Jesus without real surrender, today is the day to repent. Choose Him above all else—no matter who approves or disapproves.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
(2 Corinthians 5:17)
Jesus is not calling perfect people—He’s calling those who are willing to surrender everything and follow Him with their whole hearts.
He loves you and wants to save you—but He won’t force you to follow Him. You must choose the narrow path.
“Enter by the narrow gate… because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
(Matthew 7:13–14)
Will you be among the few?
(The Lord is coming soon.)
May God bless you and give you strength to walk this path of true discipleship.
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