Have you ever consider what it is to follow Jesus?  He tells us to weigh discipleship. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.  "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?  "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  (Mark 8:34-37, NASU).

What does this mean?  For the person thinking about becoming a Christian, this means deciding to live for God.  I put off  indulging the desires of the flesh, Ephesians 2:3.  That is, I make a decision to stop living based on what feels good or seems good at the moment or which pleases me.  Instead, I want to do those things that God wants me to do.  It may not be easy to do all of the time, but it is what I strive for in life.

As I mature in faith, I gain a deeper understanding of what is pleasing to God and increase in my practice of it.  My life and focus is not self-centered but God-centered.  I strive for the growth of the Kingdom and accomplishing God’s mission.  I use my abilities to help accomplish this mission. 

The reality is for both the one contemplating Christianity and veteran Christian there are challenges.  But for both, it all begins with a determined thought to live for God.  The rewards are great, a saved life.  What decisions have you made?