Billy Graham used to say it this way:
The cross was the place of execution: Today it would be as if Jesus said, "Take up your electric chair and follow me!"
I think these verses mean that we daily put our physical lives at stake for the kingdom of God.
It does not mean a spiritual death (dying with Christ) of our old nature. That occurs when we are born again (Romans 6).
Deny yourself simply means one denies one's own will power, self-will, strength, and ability, depending totally on Christ.
Take up your cross daily simply means receive the benefits of the Cross, looking exclusively to what Jesus did there to meet our every need.
Daily: This is so important, our looking to the Cross; that we must renew our Faith in what Christ has done for us, even on a daily basis, for Satan will ever try to move us away from the Cross as the Object of our Faith, which always spells disaster.
and follow me : Christ can be followed only by the Believer looking to the Cross, understanding what it accomplished, and by that means alone [Rom. 6:3-5, 11, 14; 8:1-2, 11; 1Cor. 1:17-18, 21, 23; 2:2; Gal. 6:14; Eph. 2:13-18; Col. 2:14-15].
The Way Of The Spirit
Focus: The Lord Jesus Christ (
John 14:6)
Object Of Faith: The Cross of Christ (
Romans 6:1-14)
Power Source: The Holy Spirit (
Romans 8:1-2,
11)
Results: Victory (
Romans 6:14)
Man's Way
Focus: Works.
Object Of Faith: Performance.
Power Source: Self.
Results: Defeat!
The only way to God is through Jesus Christ (
John 14:6)...the only way to Jesus Christ is by the Means of the Cross (
Luke 14:27). The only way to the Cross is a denial of self (
Luke 9:23). If any person tries to come any other way, Jesus says, "they are a thief and a robber" (
John 10:1).
1. Jesus Christ is the source of all blessings.
2. The Cross is the means by which all blessings are given.
3. The object of our faith must be Christ and the Cross.
4. That being done, the Holy Spirit will greatly help us.