After Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist and was declared to be "...the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world" (John 1:29), people began to follow Him. When Jesus turned around to see those who were His first followers He asked them, "What do you seek?" (John 1:38). One of the most repeated phrases in all the gospels is connected to the different reasons that people "came to Him." In total this little phrase is used 32 times throughout the gospels. As I am sure you can imagine, there are a variety of different reasons people came to Jesus. Some were noble and others were not so noble.
The question Jesus asked those first disciples is still relevant today: "What do you seek?" Many people become Christians today because they think it will take care of all the difficulty they endure on this earth. Others become Christians today because they only want the approval of their spouse, friends, or their family knowing how much it means to them that they have a relationship with Christ. Some become Christians today because they think it will bring them a good reputation in the city or circle of influence in which they exist. All of these have one primary ingredient which is not consistent with Christianity. They all seek in some way to serve the needs of self.
Christ said in Luke 15:27, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." The cross is an emblem of self denial even to the point of great suffering. Jesus went to the cross, denying all the rights He had as God in the flesh, suffering greatly for the benefit of man. This is the essence of true Christianity. It is placing the will of God and others before the will of self. It is not always easy to deny self, but if great churches are to exist now and in the decades to come true discipleship must be a reality. In fact without Chistians taking up their own crosses they really "cannot" be His disciples.
It is so important for us to personally know why we are Christians and to teach others the true essence of Christianity. Even if you did come to Christ for a reason other than wanting to be His true disciple, it is not too late to respond to Him in the correct manner. It might not be the easiest life but it by far will be the most rewarding when we get to heaven to spend eternity in Paradise (Rom. 8:18).