Many hear the Gospel and believe it to be true, but they don’t want it badly enough to surrender control of their lives. They express interest in Christianity but find the cost of discipleship too high.
The New Testament gives several examples of those who said they wanted to follow Jesus but (as far as we know) never did ...
1. A man ran up to Him and asked, Good Teacher, what shall I do so that I may inherit eternal life? Jesus said, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, take up the cross, and follow Me. He was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22)
2. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:59-60)
3. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:61-62)
In each case, other priorities came first. Note that Christ did not commend these men for having 'good intentions'. He called them to radical, sacrificial, immediate action.
People seem to think that 'good intentions' are enough to move the needle when it comes to forgiveness of sin ... NOT SO.
Redemption comes only when you surrender everything to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
An ominous quote attributed to Bernard of Clairvaux (1091-1153) makes it plain:
'The road to hell is paved with good intentions'.
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