“...true believers would risk EVERYTHING for their god...”
As a true believer, I must agree with you. I have often questioned my own faith as to why I settle for the rubbish of this world while rewards in Heaven await and will be apportioned to me based on my acts of faith. I despise the weakness in me that chooses the things of this life over the joys of the next...What is it about my too, too solid flesh that is so willing to yield to the cares and worries of this world? How can it be that I, having tasted of the heavenlies, having experienced the Person of the Lord on my own personal Emmaus Road...how is it that I should turn aside every now and again to add on a room to my panelled house, cherish the praise of men and give to my career more than to my Lord, long to indulge in the fruits of my own labors rather than labor in the Lord’s vinyard for what He promises are joys unspeakable? Why don’t I trust Him?!!!
I do not mean to excuse this behavior with the following (I do not), merely explain it:
“O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then with the mind I myself serve the Law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:24-25
Yep, you nailed it.
We, sinful flawed creatures that we are, seem to be, with few exceptions, incapable of yielding all to the sovereignty of God.