Why do Christians ignore Jesus?

Should Christians pray in public? Well, Jesus says that they should not. (Matthew 6:5-6), in which Jesus said, " And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you". It is a commandment that does not seemed to be obeyed by any Christians.

I find it interesting that Christians who state very emphatically that Jesus is their lord and savior and that it is necessary to obey him, often ignore what he says.

For example, Jesus made a number of very clear statements about money and wealth in the Bible.

(Luke 14:33) "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

(Matthew 19:21-24)  "Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Yet, you rarely hear of Christians who gave up everything. Why is this? Do they not believe what Jesus said? Do they think they know better?

Why do Christians ignore the laws and rules of the Old Testament? The OT is filled with terrible, stupid rules regarding what to eat, what to wear, trimming beards, and interacting with menstruating women. Christians often say that Jesus established a New Covenant and the OT rules were done away with. But is that what Jesus said? Of course not. Jesus says, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Amen, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest part or the smallest part of a letter will pass from the law, until all things have taken place." (Matthew 5:17).

Why do Christians still ignore them?

There is also this gem. Mark 16:17–18 (ESV)
17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick.

Yet, how often do believers actually try to pick up snakes or drink deadly poison to show their faith? I realize there are a few extremists who do this, but why are not all Christians doing this?

It is actually very simple to understand. If they followed the rules that Jesus gave, their lives would be impacted in very definite and specific negative ways. If they give up their money, they will not be able to survive. If they handled deadly snakes on a regular basis or drank poison, they would probably die. They also do not believe that some of the rules make any sense. Stop wearing clothes made from more than one fabric? Stop shaving for work? Um, no, thank you but no thanks. Christians know these rules are absurd. They know that following them will only cause them problems. They know better than Jesus about how to live their life.

But, hypocritically, they will continue to parrot the same old tired refrain and demand that we follow Jesus.  Here is an idea. Until you practice what you preach, leave the rest of us alone.