Jesus taught, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Matthew 16:24-25
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27
A disciple of Christ follows him, just as sheep follow their shepherd. Everyone who walks in the same way that Jesus walked is led by his Spirit, loves others, even their enemies, and follows the Lamb wherever he goes.
True disciples of Christ “present their bodies as a living sacrifice, living holy lives that are acceptable to God.” Romans 12:1-2
Just as the Apostle Paul wrote, we are determined to be “crucified with Christ, living by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave himself for us. Galatians 2:20
For Christ’s sake we must be willing to suffer the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that we may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:8
Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in them. This world is passing away, but the one who does the will of God lives forever. 1John 2:15-17
Being a true disciple of Christ means denying ourselves many of the pleasures of this world, obeying Christ and having an eternal fellowship with God in His glorious kingdom.
Therefore, above all things, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness.” Matthew 6:33