Mark 8:34

"Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]." ~ Mark 8:34 (AMP)

To be a true follower of Christ is conditional. First, we must deny ourselves - and then take up the cross and follow Him. To deny oneself means emptying yourself of yourself - pride, ambitions, agenda, ego. It is impossible to follow Jesus, to be a true disciple, without first denying and emptying your “self”. A hard lesson that most never learn. The way to discipleship is narrow.

Romans 1:6

For years, Christians have grown increasingly ashamed of the Gospel, accepting as ok that which the word explicitly describes as evil. Homosexuality, the existence of hell for the eternal punishment of nonbelievers and even heaven have all been altered to fit fleshly whims. Entire denominations have become ashamed of the Gospel and altered their beliefs. Christians with nonbelieving relatives have bent the Gospel to conform to saving even the most egregious of unrepentant sinners. Christians have opted to have their ears tickled (2Tim 4:4) by ashamed pastors who speak fables in place of the truth - but the word of God stands eternal and shall not be moved!

Jesus, the living Word, the truth and the *only* way is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and will not be conformed to our whims! It is us that must conform to Him - and that truth is unchanging no matter how uncomfortable we become. Jesus defined our love for Him by us keeping His word - and also defined those that do not love Him by doing the opposite (John 14:23-24)