Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Jesus made it perfectly clear the requirements for being a follower of Christ. He taught his disciples what they must do to walk closely with him. He explained and demonstrated the sacrifices they would need to make to take such a stance. Being a follower of Christ is not merely a phrase, but a lifestyle yielded to God. Though movement is involved, it is an unwavering position of faith and surety. A follower of Christ or Christian must know whose side they are on. There are two sides from which to pick: the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of darkness. Either we are with God, or we are not. In Revelation 3:14 God says:
” I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
Here, God is saying choose a side. God does not tolerate “Christians” who within one moment confess they love Him while the next display love for the things he despises. Jesus, being the Way to the Father, lets us know that we must lay aside everything that goes against the word. Choosing the side of God means whatever God loves we love. Whatever God hates, we hate. It screams ‘I AGREE WITH GOD PERIOD’!! Whatever the word of God states is what we agree with. Choosing the side of God and following Jesus is placing his word as precedence over all decisions. The written word of God overrules our personal opinions, emotions and experiences, financial positions, race or cultural preferences, family and friendly relationships and anything else opposing. It's time that we all ask God to search our hearts and remove anything that does not agree with the truth.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Josh 24:15