Choosing to become a follower of Jesus or deciding to be a Christian is not a package deal where we get to choose the package and set the rules.

We can’t say, “I will follow Jesus Christ as long as he provides me with perfect health and great riches or as long as I get to choose how I run my own life.”

Jesus called his disciples to follow him and said, “follow me,” not “I’ll follow you.” He went on to say, “I will make you fishers of mankind.” In other words, “I will make you into what I choose to make you into.”

He later spoke these words: “If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, he or she must deny themselves and be willing to even die for my cause.”

We must remember that the rules Jesus sets, which are found in the Bible, are both for our ultimate good and for the advancement of his kingdom.

When we come to Jesus, we are putting our future in God’s hands. It is he who sets the rules and we gladly obey them because of our love for him. We trust that he knows what he is doing.

Jesus offers us the best deal out there - nowhere else can we receive forgiveness, true peace and eternal life. The great news is that we all are invited to follow.