Not everyone who claims Jesus is Lord is a true Disciple. Scripture records several people who told Jesus they wanted to follow Him. Jesus questioned each one’s heart. One wanted to first go and bury his father. Another asked to first go and say goodbye to his family. Jesus spoke to the heart of each man.

To the first man Jesus replied, “…let the dead bury the dead.” Jesus words stress the importance of immediate, wholehearted discipleship, with the sole priority on the Kingdom of God. To the second Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Again, Jesus calls for immediate action to follow Him. No excuses, no delays, no looking back. A plowman must keep focused forward.

Then there was the wealthy young man who apparently lived a descent, moral life. Jesus did not refute the man’s claim of keeping the commandments mentioned. But He did require the young man to sell all that he had and follow Jesus. Jesus was not wanting the money for Himself or His ministry. Jesus was revealing the man’s heart values. The young man’s highest priorities did not include Jesus.

Sad as it is to think, not everyone in your church is willing to pay the cost of full committed discipleship. Is it true that the leadership in many of our churches today take a different viewpoint than Jesus? Do we compromise on discipleship? Did Jesus compromise? I don’t remember Jesus calling the rich young man back saying, “Wait! Okay, just sell off half, wait, how about sell off a third of your possessions and follow me.

Jesus was not interested in the man’s money. His interest was in the man’s motivators. The same is true today. God is not interested in your money, your houses, or your worldly possessions. His question is, “Am I (God) your fully committed motivation?

We cannot have a divided allegiance. This does not mean we must give up all worldly possessions and passions. However, being His disciple means nothing can come in higher priority than God. Our worship, commitment, and service is to God alone. Anything you choose to love/do over God is an idol and has created a divided allegiance.

How does your church keep a right focus on discipleship? Jesus never lowered the standards for discipleship and neither should we.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.