Discipleship 101: Is Christianity Costly or Comfortable?

by Veronica Navarro

What does "following Jesus" mean?

Does it mean we have to look a certain way?

Does it mean we have to wear certain things?

Does it mean that we can't sin?

No!

None of those things are required to be a follower of Christ! So, what does following Him look like? 

In Luke 9:23-24, Jesus states that whoever wants to follow Him must deny himself, pick up his cross daily, and follow Him. However, in Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says that He is the only way to heaven. We can not get to heaven through our works. We can only get to heaven by believing that He is our Lord and Savior. 

What is this contradiction? Is there a cost involved with following Jesus? Or will Jesus make our lives easier? 

The answer is yes! Both!

We come to Jesus on His terms. Jesus wanted us to come to Him, because our human nature always pushes Him away from our lives. 

​But, simply believing in our salvation isn't enough, we must deny ourselves from our worldly desires. We have to trust that He wants what is best for our lives.