The hearts of men have not changed. Nor have the claims of Christ. The actual loss may never be suffered, though undoubtedly it was suffered almost without exception by the early disciples for whom Peter spoke, and of whom Paul was an example, and suffered also by the martyrs of the following centuries. Moreover, their experience has been duplicated not only by Christians in some parts of the world during the recent brutal years, but through the centuries of Christian reform and missions. In the heart of the true disciple must be the willingness if required, to renounce anything, go anywhere and do any work for his Lord.
Conditional consecration is widespread today and also much mock piety.
Lord, I will follow Thee, but . . . Their desire is to be saved but not sanctified, delivered from the results but not the power of their sin. The time has surely come for us to cease to play at being Christians and accept afresh Christ's terms of discipleship. How foolish we are to think of and cling to the precious things of a life without Christ as if they were the only precious things, to act as if He who claims all gives naught. Moses expressed no regrets for the choice which cost him a crown, and Paul does not weep the loss of all things.