Our thoughts must be focused on God. We must make serious efforts to overcome the natural inclinations of a sinful heart.
Our efforts, our self-denial and perseverance must correspond to the incredibly high price of what we are trying to achieve. Only by conquering how Christ overcame can we receive the crown of life.
The great danger to man lies in the fact that he is dedicated to self-deception and complacency and is therefore separated from God, the source of strength.
Our natural inclinations, if not guided by the Holy Spirit of God, hide in themselves the seed of spiritual death. If we do not establish a living connection with God, we cannot resist evil influence, self-esteem, complacency, and the temptation to sin.
To receive help from Christ, we must recognize our need. We must know each other well. Christ can only save someone who knows he is a sinner. We can use divine power only when we recognize our complete helplessness and stop trusting ourselves.
Such self-denial must not only occur at the beginning of the Christian life, but must be repeated every step of the way to heaven.
All our good deeds depend on the power that is outside of us; therefore, we need a constant heart desire for God, without ceasing, sincere confession of sins and humility of soul before Him. We are surrounded by dangers, and we are safe only when we feel our weakness and we are united with our powerful Deliverer .