Conditions for following Jesus

Abstract

The conditions for following Jesus are not mortification, worship of suffering, turning the other cheek or giving up the joy of life, but freedom, altruism, realism and love. The first condition is making the decision that Jesus is the Lord of our lives ("if you want"). No one can take such a decision for us. The second condition is distancing ourselves from our own experiences and subjective beliefs ("deny yourself"). The third condition is coming to Jesus with the whole truth about ourselves and the entire burden of our lives, i.e. everything that hurts, worries and gets us down ("take up your cross"). The fourth condition for following Jesus is living according to his words and deeds, as well as learning to love with the same kind of love he loved us first ("follow me"). Sticking to Jesus requires discipline and respect for the Ten Commandments, but in return, it brings joy that the world can neither give us nor take from us.