Accepting Jesus implies paying a price - letting go of the old way of living. Everything must be set aside in order to obtain the precious pearl: Jesus!
To enjoy the precious pearl, we must give up everything that is part of our past. When we have an encounter with Jesus, our old nature must come out. It is not done in our own strengths. Jesus Himself will come in and take every old thing that was in us out if we just open the door of our hearts to Him.