Without self-sacrifice there is no salvation
Usually, when it comes about himself, man is always unfair and changes the scale; he is more rightful towards himself, he chooses the better, the biggest, and the most beautiful part: he cries and rejoices for himself more than for others. But, Christ crucified on the Cross the love for oneself, and gave His life for us.
Tell me about the love of oneself!
Look what I can tell you: insofar as man renounces the love of oneself, his good deeds multiply, he becomes more spiritual and gets closer to Christ. Usually, when it comes about himself, man is always unfair and changes the scale; he is more rightful towards himself, he chooses the better, the biggest, and the most beautiful part: he cries and rejoices for himself more than for others. But, Christ crucified on the Cross the love for oneself, and gave His life for us.
Among people, there are few those who crucify the passion of loving oneself, as Christ did. There are many that in engage in living a spiritual life, but don’t reach crucifixion, for they cannot fully renounce to the love of oneself, i.e. selfishness. When without, sacrifice, without crucifying our passion, without leaving out sins, we cannot see Christ, we cannot be saved.
(Translated from Ne vorbește Părintele Cleopa, volumul V, ediția a II-a, Editura Mănăstirea Sihăstria, Vânători-Neamț, 2004, pp. 58-59)
