Our quest is to find out what Jesus had to say about what it means to be a real disciple. In today's Christianity, the meaning has been watered-down; as a matter of fact, the term is hardly used. Many would be offended by Jesus' hard standards, and many have diluted Christianity to an easy going, comfortable lifestyle, pretty much like the lifestyle of the rich and famous with some Bible seasoning. This is contrary to what Jesus taught in the Bible. Real Christianity, the one we read in the Book, is a lifestyle where the cross is being carried by those who confess His name. "If anyone would come after me, he must carry his cross daily" are the words echoed by our Savior. And I don't mean a crucifix; the cross is a symbol of suffering, of rejection, of being dammed, a symbol of reproach, dishonor and scorn.
Those that decide to follow Him closely are also willing to accept the scorns given first to our Lord. Jesus said that "It is enough for a disciple to be like his teacher and a slave to be like his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they do the same to those of his household!" Those that turn back are not worthy of carrying the name of a disciple. Matthew 10:25. The Apostle Paul said that "some avoid the cross of Christ to avoid being persecuted" Galatians 6:10
I love the way the Message Bible puts it (plain and clear): "Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there's no getting around it." 2nd Timothy 3:12
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