4. Notice that in this same verse our Lord says the one who does look back is unfit for the kingdom
The Cost of Discipleship
Lord, the true disciple is the one who chooses to serve the Lord, even at great personal expense.
Again, this is not absolute in the sense that it disallows temporary failures like that of Peter. But even Peter did ultimately prove himself to be a true disciple, didn't he? The time came when he willingly gave His life for Jesus' sake.
Luke 9:23 records similar words of Jesus: "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me." Notice the addition of the one word: "daily." The life of a disciple invites persecution and therefore must be a life of daily self-denial. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "I protest, brethren, by the boasting in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily" (1 Cor. 15:31).
The idea of daily self-denial does not jibe with the contemporary supposition that believing in Jesus is a momentary decision. A true believer is one who signs up for life. The bumper-sticker sentiment "Try Jesus" is a mentality foreign to real discipleship — faith is not an experiment, but a lifelong commitment. It means taking up the cross daily, giving all for Christ each day. It means no reservations, no uncertainty, no hesitation (Luke 9:59 – 61). It means nothing is knowingly held back, nothing purposely shielded from His lordship, nothing stubbornly kept from His control. It calls for painful severing of the tie with the world, a sealing of the escape hatches, a ridding oneself of any kind of security to fall back on in case of failure. Genuine believers know they are going ahead with Christ until death. Having put their hand to the plow, they will not look back (Luke 9:62).4
That is how it must be for all who would follow Jesus Christ. It is the stuff of true discipleship.
4. Notice that in this same verse our Lord says the one who does look back is unfi t for the kingdom of God.