1.It means giving up all things that we desire according to the flesh,that is not God approved,and only going by the leading of the Spirit,and what God wants for us.
1Jn 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Jn 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Joh 14:22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
2.Although we live for Jesus,and obey Him somewhat,we think we still get kind of a say so in what we want,like our career,or where we live,and such,because we think God leaves that up to us,but nay,we do not.Everything we do is for the kingdom of God,led by the Spirit,and if God says pack up your things,quit your job,and move to this place,we have to do it,for we have to go wherever the Spirit directs us,and do whatever the Spirit wants us to do.
But of course God also knows you have to be stable,and will provide your needs,no matter where you are led to go,but for the most part,and the majority of people,God would have you stay where you are at,because saints should be in all areas,and because of their family situation,that it is rough for some with an extended family,and they also might hasving an impact there,and there is always someone God can send.
Jas 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
Jas 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Jas 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Jesus' cross,was the cross,and preaching the Gospel,that was His purpose,to direct people to God,and open up the kingdom of God,to people,that God had for Him to do.
Taking up our cross,is to do whatever purpose God has for us to do,like Mary had her cross,giving birth to Jesus,and Paul had his cross,reaching out to the Gentiles,and so forth.
We take up our cross,and do whatever purpose God has for us,which we cannot take up Jesus' cross,and die on the cross,we cannot take up Mary's cross,and give birth to Jesus,we cannot take up Paul's cross,and do the great work that he did among the Gentiles.
Everybody must take up their own cross,and deny the world,and do whatever purpose God has for you,which God might leave you alone,to live in a small city,for you have a great impact there,but some He might send them off to a foreign country,to work greatly among them.
Plainly it is denying whatever we want,and doing whatever purpose God has for us.
