The Cost of Discipleship

I was reading in Luke this morning where Jesus directs us to come after Him by denying ourselves, daily taking up our cross, and following. He adds a person must lose his life for Christ's sake. Our focus is NOT to be on ourselves, on preserving our lusts, desires, or our own self-direction. Being self-absorbed and self-directed, pursuing those things that only benefit ourselves: our physical body, pleasures, comforts, our social standing (respect of others, service of others, etc.) is a losing direction. Being consumed with ourselves will end up leaving us nothing. Jesus forewarns us that this kind of life causes a person to lose their life. Their life becomes nothing -- meaningless, empty, dead.
Instead, if our goal in life is to serve Christ and further His kingdom, we will be truly alive -- that will be true living, true fulfillment, true actualization.
Jesus took up His cross to die for us. Now we are asked to take up our cross and die for Him. Life will be the outcome.
Consequences/Characteristics of saving one's life:

• will lose their life
• might gain the whole world
• will lose or forfeit themselves
• are ashamed of Christ
• are ashamed of Christ's words
• Jesus will be ashamed of this person when He comes in His glory, the glory of His Father, and the glory of the holy angels

Consequences/Characteristics of losing one's life:

• will save their life
• will follow Christ
• is a daily choice
• entails taking up their own personal cross

What is a person's cross? Whatever they must give up in order to follow Christ, that is their cross.
Here's the thing for me: I used to try to imagine what it would be like to die for Christ. Would I do it? If a knife was held at my neck, would I die for Him? I would tell myself, "yes, Christ will give me grace to do that if He calls me to it." I still believe that, but there is a better question to ask myself that is more relevant and to the point: "will I die to my pride and self-protection today by not being ashamed of Christ?" If I am too afraid or ashamed to be a witness for Christ today, isn't that running away from dying for Him? I am given the chance to die for Christ daily, not just a one-time death in the distant future. Will I be faithful to Him right now?