There are three requirements for following Christ. They aren’t the only three, of course, but these three serve as the foundation for all the others. Jesus spelled out these commands in Luke 9:23: “Then He said to them all, ‘If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”
Three simple rules, all with massive implications and responsibility. If you wish to follow Jesus, this is what it takes. Most will say, “It’s too much, it’s too hard, and it’s too far.” Remember what Jesus did for you. He gave up everything. He suffered, bled, and died. These three requirements are nothing compared to what He already did for you.
Deny Yourself
The first of the three requirements for following Christ is to deny yourself. Life as you’ve known it is over the moment you put your faith in Jesus. Your old desires, passions, hobbies, and relationships are gone. You are a new person with a new heart. (2 Corinthians 5:17; Ezekiel 36:26) Everything in your life ceases to be about you and transforms to be about Him. (Galatians 2:19-20; Romans 14:8)
You may lose your friends, family, and livelihood for daring to follow Christ. (Matthew 10:37-39; Philippians 3:7-8) Are you ready and willing to do that? I like how John MacArthur would say it: to deny yourself means “you are sick of your sinful self and want nothing to do with you anymore.” You’re dead; the only life you have now is in Christ. (Colossians 3:3; Romans 6:6-8)
Take Up Your Cross
The second of the three requirements for following Christ is to take up your cross. When Jesus spoke those words to His early audience, they had no question as to its meaning. The cross meant death, and death in a most horrifying manner. His disciples wouldn’t have been trying to make an analogy of the cross the way we are prone to do. They understood Jesus to be telling them that if they wanted to follow Him, they must be willing to die for Him in a literal and physical way.
Even today, thousands of believers around the world are being killed for no other reason than being a Christian. Death is still a very real possibility for those who dare to proclaim the name of Jesus. You might think you are safe where you live, but when that day comes, will you be willing to die? (Acts 21:13; Matthew 20:22)
Follow Him
Last, but not least, is the requirement to follow Him. Not everyone who calls Him Lord will be known to Jesus (Matthew 7:21-23), and not everyone who claims to follow Him does. (Titus 1:16) Jesus will lead you through some difficult and uncomfortable places. This life is not about where you want to go, but where He tells you to go. No matter the cost, no matter how hard, He leads, and you follow. (John 10:27; 1 Peter 2:21) “Yes, Lord” is the only appropriate response to wherever He leads you to go and whatever He gives you to do.
If you can’t do these three things, then you can’t be a disciple of Jesus. You can claim to know Him, even claim to love Him, but if you can’t do these three things, then Jesus can’t count you as His follower. (Luke 14:27; John 14:15) To believe otherwise is to deceive yourself. (James 1:22; 1 John 2:4) Are you denying yourself the pleasures of this world, dying to yourself every day, and following Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength? (Mark 12:28-30) These are the three requirements for following Christ. Examine yourself and ask, “Am I doing what I must to follow Him?” Your answer determines where you will spend eternity.