Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. - If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. - And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-26 NLT

There isn’t a lackadaisical don’t give your heart to the effort option in following Jesus.

The God journey doesn’t require perfection but it does require a heart that wants to follow His.

God Followers are Focused

He who does not value Jesus above all, does not value Him at all... Augustine

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. Philippians 3:7-9 NLT

Followers focus on Jesus: on who he is, who he says we are, and on what matters to him.

Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back. Philippians 3:13-14 MSG

God Followers are Fervent

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. 2 Timothy 1:6-8 MSG

I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing! And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. Revelation 3:15-1NLT

So I advise you to buy gold from me gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Revelation 3:18-19 NLT

Luke warm and loving it is not a life I want to live.

No Abiding means no Abounding.

God Followers are Faithful

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Hebrews 10:23 NLT

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

The power of perseverance is released in the life of the person who chooses to faithfully follow Jesus.