Challenging Questions of Christ "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36. That which is required of one who is going to be a disciple of Christ is set down for us here in God's Word, verse 34. 1. Deny himself. To cut off from us all that is of our old nature and inclinations. "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts," Galatians 5:24. 2. Take up the cross. The cross was where the world put Christ and where He suffered all the abuse men could heap upon Him. We associate ourselves with Him in His shame visibly, openly and declare ourselves Christ's. 3. Follow Him. We accompany Him wherever He leads. The options are to deny yourself or Christ, and then be denied on that great day. In following Christ we must suffer an apparent loss but there is a greater, a real an eternal loss if we do not follow Him! He will lead us to heaven and to eternal glory whereas if we do not follow Him we follow the road to eternal damnation. Christ puts the whole matter in perspective by asking a simple question which is based upon elementary economics. It brings us to the heart of this who matter of losing and saving and saving and losing.