Therefore, whoever already believes in Christ, but still clings to covetousness, is proud of honors, is inflamed with hatred, is defiled by the impurity of lust, desires happiness in the world, does not strive to follow Christ, in whom he believes. For if the one to whom the Master shows the path of sorrow desires joy and pleasure, he follows a different path. St. Gregory the Dialogist (116, 310-313).

Just as those who wanted to leave Egypt had to follow Moses, so the Israelites who wanted to enter the promised land had to follow Joshua; so those who wish to be freed from the service of the devil and his misfortunes and enter the Heavenly Fatherland must follow Jesus Christ. "Whosoever serves me, let him follow me; and where I am, there will My servant also be" (John 12:26) says the Lord. Let us follow Christ with our hearts (104, 1756-1757).

Everyone wants to be glorified and exalted with Christ. But few people want to bear the cross with Christ, mockery, humiliation, ridicule and endure sorrow. But He says: "And whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:38). For whoever wants to be with Christ in His kingdom and glory must also be with Him in this world, follow Him with humility and patience, and thus bear his cross (104, 1757).

What does it mean to follow Christ, as the Lord says: "Take up your cross, and follow me?" What does it mean to follow Christ? To be in true repentance, to produce the fruits of repentance, and to endure every suffering, whatever may happen, for the sake of God's love, looking to Christ Himself, Who suffered so much. Christ did only good, and did not sin, and taught good, but endured all suffering for our sake, doing the will of His Heavenly Father and doing His work (John 4:34). "Being obedient even unto death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:8). Thus He taught us by His example how it is proper to please God: that is, to do good and endure evil, in order to do the will of God. For to please God is to do His will. Without this, it is impossible to please God. For it is God's will that we do good and generously endure all that is difficult, overcoming it with uncomplaining patience (104:1758).

His soldiers, true Christians, must also be like their King Christ. They humble themselves below all, but God exalts them above all (1 John 4:4); they wander on earth, but heaven is their fatherland; they dwell on earth, but have "their dwelling in heaven," from whence they also expect the Saviour (Phil. 3:20). They walk in rags, but inside they are covered with royal scarlet. They are deprived of human inheritance, but they have God's; "heirs of God, but joint-heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). Riches are not sought on earth, nor are they possessed: but the treasures of heaven are opened to them (2 Corinthians 4:7). People persecute them, but God accepts them (2 Corinthians 6:17). People leave them, but have communion with God (1 John 1:3).

The world condemns them, but God justifies them (Romans 8:30-33). The world curses them, but God blesses them (Eph. 1:3; 1 Pet. 3:9; Gal. 3:9). The world insults them, but God comforts them (2 Corinthians 1:4). The world dishonors them, but God glorifies them (Psalm 90:15; 1 Pet. 5:10) (104, 1759-1760).

If Christ is the head of the faithful, then those who are not united to Him in faith and love are not members of His body. Those who do not follow Him are not united with Him. Those who do not imitate His humility, patience, meekness, and other Divine manners do not follow Him. If Christ leads to heaven, then those who do not follow Him are sure to be mistaken. If Christ is our shepherd, then His sheep are not those who do not listen to His voice: "My sheep listen to My voice, and I know them; and they come after me" (John 10:27).

If Christ is our teacher and guide, His disciples are not those who do not learn from Him humility, patience, meekness. If Christ is light, then those who do not follow Him walk in darkness, and those who move away from the light certainly remain in darkness. If Christ is the bridegroom of faithful souls, those who depart from Him commit adultery. If Christ is true, those who do not adhere to Him are certainly deceived and deceived. If Christ is life, then dead are those who depart and depart from Him, as it is written: "Behold, they that distance themselves from Thee perish" (Psalm 72:27). You see, beloved Christian, how we need to follow Christ, for this is "only necessary" (Luke 10:42), and, on the contrary, how dangerous it is to distance ourselves from Him Who has life and blessedness. St. Tikhon of Zadonsk (104, 1765-1766).

... The procession in the footsteps of Christ along the path of earthly pilgrimage is an activity wholly directed according to His commandments... Study the Gospel and you will be able to follow Christ with your life (108:85).

Renunciation of the world precedes following Christ. The second is not accomplished in the soul, unless the first is first accomplished in it (108:86).

Many approach the Lord, and many decide to follow Him (108:86).

A Christian who wishes to be a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ and to become by grace the Son of God, born of the Spirit, must first of all make it a rule for himself... good-natured endurance of all sorrows, bodily sufferings and insults from people, and slanders from demons, and the very rebellion of one's own passions (108, 350).

He who strives to follow Christ and be a joint heir with Him must zealously imitate His sufferings (108:354).

Skills have power similar to natural qualities; a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ must acquire good habits and avoid bad habits (108:377).