Jesus’ Stated Conditions on Who May Be His Follower
This will be less of an article and more of a focus on the words of Jesus Christ stating who may become a follower of His. Of course a follower of His is more commonly known as a Christian. So these are the entry requirements of being a Christian. And they are Jesus’ requirements on those who are in position to go to heaven.
Following the bare listing of the verses, will be a bit of commentary.
Jesus’ Conditions – Strictly the words of Jesus
Note liberty has been taken to bold-face and underline key phrases to show you that these are emphatic, non-negotiable conditions/requirements Jesus gave. Some of these are redundant because they are re-stated in more than one gospel.
John 3 –3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3 -5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
Matthew 5 – 20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 7:21 – “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Matthew 18 – 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
Mark 10:15 – Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Luke 18 – Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
Luke 14 – 26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
Matthew 10:36-38 – 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 16:24 – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Mark 8:34 –When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Luke 9:23 – Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Luke 9:59-60 – 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”60Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:61-62 – 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
John 12 – 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
Matthew 16:25 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Mark 8:35 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Luke 9:24 – For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
Luke 17:33 – Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.
Matthew 19:23-24 – Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven…. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Mark 10:24-25 – Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Luke 18:24-25 – And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God
For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Additional conditions (requirements) for holiness
(Words from epistles – written by the first followers of Jesus)
1 Thessalonians 4 – 2 for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus.3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, …
1 Peter 1 – 15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;
Hebrews 12 – 12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people,and holiness,without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 16 lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. 17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
Romans 12 – 12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Galatians 5– 16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Romans 8 – 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Last word by Jesus – His call to be one with Him (and thus holy)
(This is also a condition. It is not expressed as optional. It is for all called Christian.)
John15 – 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears muchfruit; for without Me you can do nothing.6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
Brief Commentary
