Jesus' warning in this passage encourages us to realize how important it is for us to make sure we have the right relationship with him. Being a follower of Jesus requires an act of the will. It is not dependent on birth or position. One must will to follow. For the crowd, this means repentance and faith. For the believing community it involves reaffirming your commitment.1
35 For whoever would save his lifewill lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.