Deny self. Carry your cross

Taking up your cross or denying himself
What is this all about when we are being followers of Christ. I like to call this the exchange life.  Each day as we go about, we must remember who we belong to. It is no longer I, but Christ lives in me.  To deny oneself is just a statement that I give up my right and I am living for you God. While I am in this body, I must deny myself of those things that take away my time from you.
That includes everyday things that prohibit my growing in God or in Christ.  We know we have an obligation to fulfill not to the sinful nature meaning as the world does not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.
but a daily living in your ways by not following everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

Look at Matthew 19:21‭-‬30 NIV‬‬‬‬ , Luke 14:26‭-‬33 NIV  it’s tell us about the making of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  First on love, second on denying yourself.  Our love for Christ is so strong other things we do seem to be put on the back burner. What we do for Christ will be the main goal in life.

Here is an example. A person who goes on a diet denies themselves of certain food. They stay away from it occasionally temptation creeps up on them but to be strong enough they will resist that temptation. The more they around the same thing they might fall into that temptation. Therefore, to deny oneself of the natural man must allow Christ to dwell within. Studying the word and meditating on it will help us to grow in God and we want to follow Christ. By doing this you are denying yourself allowing Christ to have his rightful place in your life. All is center around him

More to come about the 4 stages in the life of a believer. Love, denying, following Jesus with the right mind set and counting the cost.