Come As You Are, But Don’t Stay There: True Discipleship in the Last Days
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
—Matthew 7:13–14 (KJV)
Believing In Jesus Is Not the Same as Following Him
We are living in a time when “believing in God” has become a cultural label, not a surrendered lifestyle. Yet Jesus made it unmistakably clear that discipleship is costly, and faith without fruit is deception.
“And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them,
Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”
—Mark 8:34 (KJV)
To follow Christ is not to casually admire Him from a distance—it is to die to self, daily. The cross is not symbolic—it’s sacrificial. It doesn’t decorate your life. It defines it.
Why the Path Is Narrow
We must ask: If salvation is simply saying a prayer, why did Jesus say only few find the way to life?
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
—Matthew 7:21 (KJV)
Jesus warned that many would profess His name yet be turned away because they never truly knew Him. Why? Because they claimed His name but refused His lordship.
Sanctification: The Forgotten Journey
Many stop at the altar and never walk the narrow road of transformation. But salvation is not the finish line—it is the starting point of a process called sanctification.
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…”
—1 Thessalonians 4:3 (KJV)
Sanctification is not about perfection—it’s about progression. It is the Spirit of God purging sin, refining character, and conforming us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). And yes, it’s uncomfortable. Dying to your flesh always is.
You Can’t Serve Two Masters
Jesus didn’t leave room for neutrality.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other…
Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”
—Matthew 6:24 (KJV)
There is no middle ground between holiness and compromise. There is no such thing as a “lukewarm disciple.”
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
—Revelation 3:16 (KJV)
This Generation Has Been Deceived
Today, many believe they can carry their cross and cling to their sin. That they can post Bible verses and live unrepentantly. That grace means God is okay with disobedience.
But grace does not excuse sin—it empowers us to overcome it.
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
—Romans 6:1–2 (KJV)
Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15, KJV). This is not legalism. This is love.
You Are Either With Him or Against Him
There is no fence to sit on. The fence belongs to the devil.
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”
—Matthew 12:30 (KJV)
If your lifestyle makes no distinction between you and the world, how can you claim to follow a holy God? If the people around you can’t see Jesus in your actions, are you truly bearing His image?
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.”
—Matthew 5:14 (KJV)
You may be the only Bible someone ever reads. What gospel are you preaching through your life?
A Call to Repentance
The call is simple but urgent: Repent and believe the Gospel.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…”
—Acts 3:19 (KJV)
God isn’t asking for perfection. He’s asking for surrender. You can come to Him addicted, broken, bitter—but you cannot stay that way. The Holy Spirit will sanctify you if you let Him.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature:
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
—2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)
Do not deceive yourself. Do not let culture define Christianity. Let the cross do that.
The Gospel Message
Jesus came, not just to save you from hell, but to change your heart. He bore your sin, died your death, and rose in victory so that you could live in freedom—not bondage.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
—Romans 3:23 (KJV)
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
—Romans 5:8 (KJV)
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart
that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
—Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Salvation is free. Discipleship will cost you everything. But Jesus is worth it.
Final Word:
“Whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
—Mark 8:35 (KJV)
Wake up, Church. The hour is late. The call is clear.
Take up your cross. Deny yourself. Follow Him.
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