Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 16:24-25

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever would save his life shall lose it: and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake shall find it." — Matthew 16:24-25 (ASV)

This is the law of self-sacrifice, based on the sacrifice of Christ, and leading up to the complete sacrifice of the redeemed. We are not our own; we are bought with a price. To try to keep ourselves to ourselves would be acting contrary to the whole spirit of the redemption which Christ has accomplished for us; and that is the last thing that any Christian should think of doing.