All In: Following Jesus Without Holding Back
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” — Luke 9:23
The Call That Costs Everything
When Jesus first called His disciples, He didn’t hide the cost behind promises of comfort or success. He made it clear that following Him would require sacrifice. Luke 9:23 is not a polite suggestion—it’s a life-altering call to commitment.
Going “all in” means there is no Plan B. It’s a surrender of your will, your preferences, and even your right to be in control. This kind of discipleship will cost you—your pride, your time, your convenience—but it will also lead you to a life richer than anything self-preservation could offer.
The Cross Is Not Decoration
In modern Christianity, we often see crosses as jewelry, wall hangings, or church steeples. But in the first century, the cross was a symbol of execution—public, humiliating, and excruciating.
When Jesus told His followers to “take up your cross”, they understood He was calling them to a willingness to face rejection, suffering, and even death for His sake. The cross was not a fashion statement—it was a declaration of total allegiance.
To wear the cross in our lives today means more than a symbol; it means living in a way that boldly says: I belong to Jesus, and I am willing to be identified with Him no matter the cost.
Daily Death to Self
Saying yes to Jesus is not a one-time emotional moment at the altar—it’s a daily decision. Every morning, we are faced with choices that require self-denial:
Choosing forgiveness over bitterness.
Serving when we’d rather rest.
Speaking truth when silence feels safer.
Prioritizing God’s kingdom over personal gain.
The small, unseen moments of obedience shape us into the likeness of Christ. Each act of surrender is like placing another brick in a life built on the Rock.
Why We Hold Back
If we’re honest, we sometimes hold back from going “all in” because we fear what it will cost. We worry about losing control, comfort, relationships, or approval. But Luke 9:24 reminds us that trying to save our own life leads to losing it—and laying it down for Jesus leads to saving it.
In God’s kingdom economy, what you surrender is never truly lost. It’s transformed. What feels like sacrifice becomes joy, and what feels like loss becomes gain in Christ.
Faith in Motion: Living All In
To be “all in” is not just an attitude—it’s an action. It’s actively seeking God’s will and obeying, even when it disrupts our plans. It’s putting others first in a world obsessed with self. It’s serving when there’s no applause, forgiving when it’s undeserved, and loving when it’s inconvenient.
When our faith moves from theory to action, the world takes notice. They don’t just hear about Jesus from us—they see Him in us.
Walk It Out
Take a 10-minute walk today and invite God to reveal one area of your life where you’ve been holding back. Is it your schedule? Your resources? Your comfort zone? Lay it down before Him in prayer and commit to following Him fully.
Love in Action
Find a way today to put someone else first—give your time to help, share your resources to bless, or step into discomfort to serve. Let them see Jesus in the way you act, speak, and love.
