Luke 9:23: "And He said to them all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
This striking and convicting statement by Jesus is directed at not only His immediate disciples who will go on after His resurrection to lead the Church, but it is also directed at us. The point is clear and succinct: God wants us to give Him our very best and to not let anything prevent us from this utter and total commitment.
When it comes to our faith, to our dedication, there is no substitute for recklessly-abandoned, wholly-devoted faith that is ready at a moments notice to give up, if need be, anything and everything in total submission to Christ and to His Word. This is Christianity. This is the Word of Christ. There is no "half-way" or "moderate" form of Christianity that is anything less than disbelief and lukewarmness.
We should be always and ever eager to give up more of ourselves so as to be filled with more and more of Him. This is the deal. There is no "trial" version, no "Christianity Lite" for people to try for a taste of this Christ thing. Therefore, we should keep this at the forefront of our minds whenever we would consider limiting our devotion by not going that extra mile, by not caring that extra bit, or ignoring the friend that needs a helping hand or ear. Let us then always keep this before us as we strive to live as Christ has called us to live.
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