Deny Thyself

To many the saying, "Deny thyself, take up thy cross and follow Me," (Matt 16:24) seems hard, but it will be much harder to hear that final word: "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire." (Matt 25:41) Those who hear the word of the cross and follow it willingly now, need not fear that they will hear of eternal damnation on the day of judgement. This sign of the cross will be in the heavens when the Lord comes to judge. Then all the servants of the cross, who during life made themselves one with the Crucified, will draw near with great trust to Christ, the judge.

The Imitation Of Christ, Thomas A Kempis