Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34 (NIV)
The price of our salvation was paid at Calvary by the blood of Jesus Christ, so Jesus did not suffer the cross just to improve the life we create for ourselves. On the contrary, He calls us to a life of bearing our own cross. If anyone wants to be a true follower of the Lord Jesus, he must die to his own personal desires and wishes, and live for Christ alone - even though it may be very difficult, for there are things we must do. First, we must completely surrender to Him. Second, take up our own cross. And third, we must obey Him and trust His Word.
Denying yourself has nothing to do with “self-denial”. It means surrendering completely and totally to God as a living sacrifice of setting yourself apart for God and following Jesus wherever he leads.
May God bless you all!
Amen