DISCIPLESHIP

True discipleship begins when you no longer demand your own way ... the giving of yourself completely to Christ.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24 

'Deny himself' - This does not mean to piously abstain from 'things'; but the denying of 'you'. It means to abdicate the throne and place Christ there. He must become the reason behind your every thought and action. 

'Take up his cross' - This is to suffer the arduous journey of a life contrary to this world's amoral norms. You are to humbly endure the difficulties associated with your dedication to Jesus Christ. He was 'despised and rejected of men' ... expect the same. 

'Follow me' - Do not dictate where, when, and how you are going to serve Him. Jesus Christ will not use your self-willed plans to establish His kingdom; He instead takes you where He will and realizes Himself in you for His glory. 

Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.  Mark 8:34-35

MacArthur - This passage sets forth the heart of Christian discipleship and it strikes a death blow to the self-centered false gospels that are so popular in contemporary Christianity. It leaves no room for the gospel of getting, in which God is considered a type of utilitarian genie who jumps to provide a believer’s every whim. It closes the door to the gospel of health and wealth, which asserts that if a believer is not healthy and prosperous he has simply not exercised his divine rights or else does not have enough faith to claim his blessings. It undermines the gospel of self-esteem, self-love, and high self-image, which appeals to man’s natural narcissism and prostitutes the spirit of humble brokenness and repentance that marks the gospel of the cross.

In summary, Jesus laid down three conditions for genuine discipleship: (1) we must surrender ourselves completely to Him; (2) we must identify with Him in suffering and death; and (3) we must follow Him obediently, wherever He leads. 

So in this teaching, we find a divine paradox ... 
To a true disciple, salvation is the free gift that costs him everything.