OTHER things besides great possessions come to us and cause our loyalty to God to relapse into formal worship. Externally everything is normal, but in our hearts we know that there is one thing we lack, one sacrifice we must make; one cherished friendship, ambition or acquisition must go. We make the decision in our Master's presence, knowing that he is watching us. There is tender love in his eyes, but no sign of compromise. We hear his voice: "If you will be perfect, give it up, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come and follow me". There can be no following without sacrifice. That we may receive the word of life, Jesus pronounces the sentence of death upon those burdens which make it so hard for us to follow him.

MELVA PURKIS, A Life of Jesus, page 283