Christ calls a person to come and die. This call involves reckoning oneself as dead through self-denial in order to follow the One who redeemed the person from the death penalty. The cross or stake symbolizes self-denial and the loss of life for a greater purpose. Taking up the stake daily requires lifting it every morning to crucify the carnal nature along with anything else God asks a person to give up. This crucifixion continues until sleep comes. The next morning the process begins again with the same burdens shouldered once more. The practice starts at baptism and continues until the final breath. Lives belong to the Redeemer rather than to the individuals themselves. Self-denial extends beyond the avoidance of sin to include anything that interferes with following God even if that thing is not sinful on its own. God bids those He calls to come to Christ and die over and over again. This ongoing death to self remains essential for receiving the life God desires to give.