It is no coincidence that Jesus, who said he came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10) is the very one who instructed us to deny ourselves (e.g. Luke 9:23; 14:26,33). Nor should it surprise that the apostle who keep speaking about joy (e.g. Romans 14:17; 15:13,32; 16:19; 2 Corinthians 2:3; 7:4,7; Galatians 4:15; Philippians 1:4; 2:2; 4:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:9; 2 Timothy 1:4; Philemon 1:7) is the one who kept speaking about dying to self (e.g. Romans 6:6; 8:13; 1 Corinthians 15:31; Galatians 2:20, 5:24; 6:14; Colossians 3:5).