God does not force the will of His creatures. He can not accept an homage that is not willingly and intelligently given. A mere forced submission would prevent all real development of mind or character; it would make man a mere automaton. Such is not the purpose of the Creator.... In giving ourselves to God, we must necessarily give up all that would separate us from Him.... Whatever shall draw away the heart from God must be given up. Mammon is the idol of many. The love of money, the desire for wealth, is the golden chain that binds them to Satan. Reputation and worldly honor are worshiped by another class. The life of selfish ease and freedom from responsibility is the idol of others. But these slavish bands must be broken. We can not be half the Lord’s and half the world’s. We are not God’s children unless we are such entirely....
When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him; and in the contemplation of Him, self will be forgotten. Love to Christ will be the spring of action.... A profession of Christ without this deep love, is mere talk, dry formality, and heavy drudgery.
Do you feel that it is too great a sacrifice to yield all to Christ? Ask yourself the question, “What has Christ given for me?”—Steps to Christ, 45.
God will bring you over the ground again and again, until with humble heart and subdued mind you bear the test that He inflicts, and are wholly sanctified to His service and work.—Testimonies for the Church 4:214. WGD 250
“The love of Christ,” said Paul, “constraineth us.” 2 Corinthians 5:14. This was the actuating principle of his conduct; it was his motive power. If ever his ardor in the path of duty flagged for a moment, one glance at the cross caused him to gird up anew the loins of his mind and press forward in the way of self-denial. In his labors for his brethren he relied much upon the manifestation of infinite love in the sacrifice of Christ, with its subduing, constraining power. MH 500
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33, KJV