Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
To be a disciple of Christ means to be willing to live as He lived. This includes living a life of holiness, but it also includes being willing to suffer with Him. It means being willing to sacrifice the pursuits of this life, if necessary, to be faithful to Him. This seems a price too high for many, but the reward of eternal life far outweighs the cost in this present world.