Our pursuits will take a quantum leap in the right direction. It seems that more people today have a greater desire to live long than they do to live well. By looking to Jesus, by seriously contemplating His life and death, we will be changed. Here is the other half of the cross. The crucifixion of self.
Denial means surrender.
We must submit our life to Him. All sin originates from a love of self. Human EGO is the foundation of all wickedness. We crucify self and this permits Jesus to take command of our life. Self crucifixion is an absolute requirement.