This an excerpt from The Cross of Christ by John Stott reflecting on “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34) :

Although Jesus may have had the possibility of martyrdom in his mind, the universal nature of his call (“if anyone”) suggests a broader application.  It is surely self-denial which, by this vivid imagery, Jesus is describing.  To deny ourselves is to behave toward ourselves as Peter did toward Jesus when he denied him three times.  The verb is the same (aparneomai).  He disowned him, repudiated him. turned his back on him.  Self-denial is not denying to ourselves luxuries such as chocolates, cakes, cigarettes and cocktails (though it may include this);  it is actually denying or disowning ourselves, renouncing our supposed right to go our own way.  Paul must have been referring to the same thing when he wrote that those who belong to Christ ‘have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires’ (Galatians 5:24).  No picture could be more graphic that that:  an actual taking of hammer and nails to fasten our slippery fallen nature to the cross and thus do it to death. 

“To deny ourselves is to behave toward ourselves as Peter did toward Jesus when he denied him three times.”  Wow.   That puts me on my knees this morning. purchase Prozac acquire Zoloft online buy prednisone online

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