Would you be willing to Die rather than Deny Christ?

[IamRedeemed]

Edit to add: This poll is kinda tricky! SORRY I KIND OF MESSED UP THE POLL QUESTION!!!
It isn't the same as the title of the Thread!

If Christians were to be weeded right now by finding out how many sitting in the pews would be willing to die rather than deny Christ and a noose was waiting in view ready to go (but no one knew they wouldn't really be hung that it was only a test) do you think the majority of the congregation would stick around waiting for their turn to answer or do you think they would leave an empty pew?

Poll Question is:
Do you think there would be a lot of empty pews or not?
Please elaborate on why you voted which. God bless

[IamRedeemed]

I voted yes, that I believe there would be a lot of empty pews, because I believe there is a lot of "cultural" Christians. Meaning people pick "the religion" because it sounds good or they like Jesus or for whatever reason, other than understanding that we have all sinned and come short of the Glory of God and that without repentance and turning to Christ there is no way for us to be reconciled unto the Father and be redeemed, and are not actually sold out for Christ.

[Time2BCounted]

Edit to add: This poll is kinda tricky! SORRY I KIND OF MESSED UP THE POLL QUESTION!!!
It isn't the same as the title of the Thread!

If Christians were to be weeded right now by finding out how many sitting in the pews would be willing to die rather than deny Christ and a noose was waiting in view ready to go (but no one knew they wouldn't really be hung that it was only a test) do you think the majority of the congregation would stick around waiting for their turn to answer or do you think they would leave an empty pew?

Poll Question is:
Do you think there would be a lot of empty pews or not?
Please elaborate on why you voted which. God bless

I dont think many would give their lives for Christ. I think most would deny Him and go home to the tv or whatever entertains them

[ContentInHim]

Sadly, I agree with Time. You see it all the time, even in my friends. One particularly close friend who just started back to church said one Sunday, "Oh hurry up" to the pastor - "we're going to be late to lunch". She's an "interesting" very conservative Christian and yet she can't wait to get out of church. I don't know what she would answer.

[Semitortured]

Well, it's kinda a silly question the way it's posed cause if I was in a church and they were threatening to start hanging people to prove they were followers, I'd be out of there. :wave:

But if the question is would you die like that girl did in Columbine, I would hope I would. I suppose there's no way to tell until you actually are in that situation, but I think, in the end, I'd let the dude pull the trigger.

[IamRedeemed]

Well, der. (I never was good at creating these polls! hahaha):sorry:
But you understand the premise.

Your answer is a fair response based on that premise too.

God bless! :wave:


Well, it's kinda a silly question the way it's posed cause if I was in a church and they were threatening to start hanging people to prove they were followers, I'd be out of there. :wave:

But if the question is would you die like that girl did in Columbine, I would hope I would. I suppose there's no way to tell until you actually are in that situation, but I think, in the end, I'd let the dude pull the trigger.

[TwinCrier]

Well, it's kinda a silly question the way it's posed cause if I was in a church and they were threatening to start hanging people to prove they were followers, I'd be out of there.

But if the question is would you die like that girl did in Columbine, I would hope I would. I suppose there's no way to tell until you actually are in that situation, but I think, in the end, I'd let the dude pull the trigger.Best answer ever!
I'd be like that man in the bible with the dead daughter; "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
It's easy to sit behind a computer and claim you would die for Christ. I'm sure it's not as easy when the gun is pointed at you.

[IamRedeemed]

I agree with part of your post. It is an honest answer from your point of view, however the latter part is an assumption, that all are convicted because they sit behind a computer, as some of us work in the mission field and some of us, if we haven't already, will be facing it (being threatened with our lives and physical harm) as a reality every day in the near future and know people already who do.

Edit to add: Besides that, it is true many people will leave a church because the Pastor mentions the S&R words, surely they wouldn't "die" for Jesus, they won't even LIVE for Him as it is. :wave:

God bless.


Best answer ever!
I'd be like that man in the bible with the dead daughter; "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
It's easy to sit behind a computer and claim you would die for Christ. I'm sure it's not as easy when the gun is pointed at you.

[No Swansong]

Best answer ever!
I'd be like that man in the bible with the dead daughter; "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
It's easy to sit behind a computer and claim you would die for Christ. I'm sure it's not as easy when the gun is pointed at you.
TC you're back Oh how you have been missed!

[No Swansong]

Oh to answer the question I pray that God would give me the strength. However I think a harder question to answer for me would be would I Deny Christ to save the lives of my Children. Again I pray that God would give me the strength and courage to withstand.

[justanobserver]

I picked yes. I figure if its to the point that folks are now dying for their faith,then life as we know aint the same anymore around here. The rules aint the same either.

I put my life on the line during my career when I was active duty more than once. If I can do that for king and coutnry, I sure can do it for God. Plus, if its to that point where you are living or dying over how you answer, if its that really real and really serious, then the words from that passage come to mind: for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

sais it all for me.

[ContentInHim]

TC you're back Oh how you have been missed!
Amen to that! Hi Twin Crier! :hug:

[ContentInHim]

Oh to answer the question I pray that God would give me the strength. However I think a harder question to answer for me would be would I Deny Christ to save the lives of my Children. Again I pray that God would give me the strength and courage to withstand.
Well, from the looks of Colabomb, you have raised pretty cool kids, jtbdad! :thumbsup:

You have to trust that your children are enough in Messiah that they will understand! :hug:

[IamRedeemed]

Excellent analogy from your own life and a very well written post! Thank you for
committing to put your life on the line for the USA and all of us who live here,
in your active duty service. I have a special place in my heart, just for our troops!
May God bless you abundantly. :hug:


I picked yes. I figure if its to the point that folks are now dying for their faith,then life as we know aint the same anymore around here. The rules aint the same either.

I put my life on the line during my career when I was active duty more than once. If I can do that for king and coutnry, I sure can do it for God. Plus, if its to that point where you are living or dying over how you answer, if its that really real and really serious, then the words from that passage come to mind: for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

sais it all for me.

[IamRedeemed]

Amen, that would be the right thing to do. Begin praying and calling on
the name of Jesus, reaching out for supernatural strength from
the Holy Spirit, until it was over and to remind your children
to do the same thing.

As scary as I imagine it would be, (and it would be very scary)
compared to eternity, it could only last a few moments.

If it were a beheading (God forbid) or a hanging, they are very
swift deaths. That's the bright side.....:eek:

But if we truly believe, we know that as "justanotherobserver"
said, that to die is gain for us. We know where we are going. This
life is but a vapor and this is not our home.

God bless.

Oh to answer the question I pray that God would give me the strength. However I think a harder question to answer for me would be would I Deny Christ to save the lives of my Children. Again I pray that God would give me the strength and courage to withstand.

[Lisa0315]

Not a member, so I didn't vote, but yes, I think there would be empty pews. I think there are alot of people who go to church but they have either lost their first love or they never had it to begin with.

Lisa

[No Swansong]

I picked yes. I figure if its to the point that folks are now dying for their faith,then life as we know aint the same anymore around here. The rules aint the same either.

I put my life on the line during my career when I was active duty more than once. If I can do that for king and coutnry, I sure can do it for God. Plus, if its to that point where you are living or dying over how you answer, if its that really real and really serious, then the words from that passage come to mind: for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

sais it all for me.
Thank you for your service;

(from a former DevilDoc)

[No Swansong]

Well, from the looks of Colabomb, you have raised pretty cool kids, jtbdad! :thumbsup:

You have to trust that your children are enough in Messiah that they will understand! :hug:
Actually Cola would want me to sacrifice him if faced with such a situation and so would Cadet4Christ, while I know they would understand it remains that it would be a much more difficult decision than saving my own life.

[No Swansong]

Oh and thanks for the compliment by the way. The Lord has blessed us with two wonderful Christian young men.

[Lisa0315]

You know the question that has always scared me to ponder?

What if it were not your life that was being threatened, but the life of your child, and worse, the child was unsaved? :eek:

[IamRedeemed]

Praise the Lord, for your kids with hearts after God. God bless you and them abundantly!
:hug::hug::hug:


Oh and thanks for the compliment by the way. The Lord has blessed us with two wonderful Christian young men.

Actually Cola would want me to sacrifice him if faced with such a situation and so would Cadet4Christ, while I know they would understand it remains that it would be a much more difficult decision than saving my own life.

[Ishida]

Reminds me of reading Tortured for Christ. A situation the author recalls where a man has to watch his son be tortured and beaten because his father will not reject Christ. And the son rebukes his father for even thinking about rejecting Christ. Honestly, God is first, I'd understand completely if I had to die because someone else put God first. And I'd hope they would understand when I would have to make such a choice as well. I would die for Christ, it's not hard to decide that at all, but for now I should worry about living for Christ. On topic, I voted Yes. That is the sad state of the church in America. Hence Church-ianity. I guess it would be much harder when it is one who rejects God who is in danger of death because you choose to follow Christ..

[BigNorsk]

This might sound strange, but I think it would be relatively easy to die for Christ. I believe it is much more difficult to live for Christ. One is a one time thing, soon over. The other, a continuing process of following our Lord.

Open direct persecution seems relatively easy to receive, it is the subtle, not so direct ways to deny Christ that seem so much more powerful.

Marv

[Time2BCounted]

This might sound strange, but I think it would be relatively easy to die for Christ. I believe it is much more difficult to live for Christ. One is a one time thing, soon over. The other, a continuing process of following our Lord.

Open direct persecution seems relatively easy to receive, it is the subtle, not so direct ways to deny Christ that seem so much more powerful.

Marv
In a day of ease it may be easy to be under the illusion that this is going to be a fast death with no imprisonment, psychological warfare and torture. We are torturing Iraqi's now, in that day bet it'll turn to christians.

Next consider too this question... what of children and grandchildren? Would we be willing to see them tortured and killed as well, or would we be willing to watch them die too in order to hold to the name of Christ?

[ContentInHim]

This might sound strange, but I think it would be relatively easy to die for Christ. I believe it is much more difficult to live for Christ. One is a one time thing, soon over. The other, a continuing process of following our Lord.

Open direct persecution seems relatively easy to receive, it is the subtle, not so direct ways to deny Christ that seem so much more powerful.

Marv
Great point. I'm ready to go now in whatever manner He wants to take me, but the message to me this summer was "occupy until I come". :eek: I really don't want to - I don't want to be here - I want to be there. :cry: But I will do my best to live for Him! :sigh:

[ContentInHim]

Not to change the subject but I will anyway! :P

Today in the car I was thinking about this thread and the FoxNews reporter, Steve Centani, and his cameramen came to mind. They had been kidnapped in Gaza? Was it Gaza or Iraq? Honestly, it almost doesn't matter. Anyway, I prayed for days for their safe release and came the day they were released - BECAUSE THEY FALSELY CONVERTED TO ISLAM! :mad: Well, Centani claims that he's a Christian but what kind of witness is that? Honestly, that teen girl in Columbine must have a dozen crowns to lay at Messiah's feet, but Steve's going to have some 'splaining to do, methinks!

[PaladinGirl]

The poll is now closed but I say yes, I'd be willing to die insteaed of to deny Christ.

[WarEagle]

Edit to add: This poll is kinda tricky! SORRY I KIND OF MESSED UP THE POLL QUESTION!!!
It isn't the same as the title of the Thread!

If Christians were to be weeded right now by finding out how many sitting in the pews would be willing to die rather than deny Christ and a noose was waiting in view ready to go (but no one knew they wouldn't really be hung that it was only a test) do you think the majority of the congregation would stick around waiting for their turn to answer or do you think they would leave an empty pew?

Poll Question is:
Do you think there would be a lot of empty pews or not?
Please elaborate on why you voted which. God bless


It's hard to say what you would do in a given situation, especially one as difficult as this.

I guess I should jump up and say, "Of course I'd rather die than to deny Christ", but I'm not so naive that I don't also recognize that my flesh is weak and I could very easily turn into a coward who would deny Christ like Peter did.

All I can really say with any certainty is, if that day ever came (and, it's looking more and more like it might someday), then all I can do is pray that God would grant me the grace and the courage to stand for Him and that, whatever happens, He would be glorified.

I'm just so happy to know that, should that day ever come, Christ is faithful even when I'm not.

[IamRedeemed]

I'm sorry if the question was offensive to you because you felt it was rooted in pride or would be rooted in pride to answer YES. That was not my intention at all, nor did I want anyone to blurt out a foolish YES.

The question was from the heart, with pure motive and I was looking for answers that came from the heart with the same motive.

I asked the question because the reality that we may have to face it is becoming a very real possibility even in the free world and it is something that has been on my heart especially in dealing with apostates, and licentious people every day that claim to be followers of Christ.

Thank you for your response.

God bless. :wave:


Edit to add: This poll is kinda tricky! SORRY I KIND OF MESSED UP THE POLL QUESTION!!!
It isn't the same as the title of the Thread!

If Christians were to be weeded right now by finding out how many sitting in the pews would be willing to die rather than deny Christ and a noose was waiting in view ready to go (but no one knew they wouldn't really be hung that it was only a test) do you think the majority of the congregation would stick around waiting for their turn to answer or do you think they would leave an empty pew?

Poll Question is:
Do you think there would be a lot of empty pews or not?
Please elaborate on why you voted which. God bless


It's hard to say what you would do in a given situation, especially one as difficult as this.

I guess I should jump up and say, "Of course I'd rather die than to deny Christ", but I'm not so naive that I don't also recognize that my flesh is weak and I could very easily turn into a coward who would deny Christ like Peter did.

All I can really say with any certainty is, if that day ever came (and, it's looking more and more like it might someday), then all I can do is pray that God would grant me the grace and the courage to stand for Him and that, whatever happens, He would be glorified.

I'm just so happy to know that, should that day ever come, Christ is faithful even when I'm not.

[IamRedeemed]

Amen Brothers. Living as ambassadors of Christ, pilgrims in a strange and grievous world, watching and listening to people, the things they do and say, knowing that if they died right then, the judgment that awaits them, yet they don't listen and won't believe, some even claiming they are on the road that leads to life, when by the witness of the Holy Spirit, you know they are on the path of everlasting destruction and knowing how much the Lord loves each of us and them, that He gave His life willingly to redeem us, when we were yet in our sin....and knowing the task that is yet before Him to judge those who won't come. As much as there is rejoicing as we run the race pressing on toward the mark of the promise, there is much grieving and weeping that comes with the knowledge of the truth of what will become of those who don't and won't. Over 150000 people a day entering into eternity, some to everlasting life and others to eternal damnation and separation from the One true Father, the source of love and light that they will never have another chance of knowing or receiving and how they will ultimately be destroyed. And these are the same who persecute us for believing the Lord and standing on His Word and declining the world's offer of their definition of fun. Fun indeed...... not.

It is a sad state of affairs indeed!
A sad state of affairs! Lord have mercy....:cry:


Reminds me of reading Tortured for Christ. A situation the author recalls where a man has to watch his son be tortured and beaten because his father will not reject Christ. And the son rebukes his father for even thinking about rejecting Christ. Honestly, God is first, I'd understand completely if I had to die because someone else put God first. And I'd hope they would understand when I would have to make such a choice as well. I would die for Christ, it's not hard to decide that at all, but for now I should worry about living for Christ. On topic, I voted Yes. That is the sad state of the church in America. Hence Church-ianity. I guess it would be much harder when it is one who rejects God who is in danger of death because you choose to follow Christ..

This might sound strange, but I think it would be relatively easy to die for Christ. I believe it is much more difficult to live for Christ. One is a one time thing, soon over. The other, a continuing process of following our Lord.

Open direct persecution seems relatively easy to receive, it is the subtle, not so direct ways to deny Christ that seem so much more powerful.

Marv

[WarEagle]

I'm sorry if the question was offensive to you because you felt it was rooted in pride or would be rooted in pride to answer YES. That was not my intention at all, nor did I want anyone to blurt out a foolish YES.

I think you have me confused with somebody else. I never said that the question was offensive or that it is rooted in pride.

To the contrary, I see it as a question that Christians around the world have had to ask themselves in a much more real way than just the hypothetical we're discussing now.

And, like I said, looking at the way that the world is going, I believe that some of us may be faced with this choice in our own lifetimes.

I thought it was a useful and thought provoking question, hardly offensive or prideful.

The question was from the heart, with pure motive and I was looking for answers that came from the heart with the same motive.

I'm sure it did, just as my answer came from the heart.

[IamRedeemed]

I apologize if I misinterpreted your post. There was a couple of things
that you said that I must have interpreted incorrectly.

God bless brother! :wave:






I think you have me confused with somebody else. I never said that the question was offensive or that it is rooted in pride.

To the contrary, I see it as a question that Christians around the world have had to ask themselves in a much more real way than just the hypothetical we're discussing now.

And, like I said, looking at the way that the world is going, I believe that some of us may be faced with this choice in our own lifetimes.

I thought it was a useful and thought provoking question, hardly offensive or prideful.



I'm sure it did, just as my answer came from the heart.[/quote]

[WarEagle]

I apologize if I misinterpreted your post. There was a couple of things
that you said that I must have interpreted incorrectly.

If only we had a nickle for everytime we've all done that. Message boards are great, but they don't communicate nuance or human expression very well.










I'm sure it did, just as my answer came from the heart.[/quote][/quote]

[IamRedeemed]

Does this mean you forgive me?

http://bestsmileys.com/sad/4.gif


[/color][/font][/size]

If only we had a nickle for everytime we've all done that. Message boards are great, but they don't communicate nuance or human expression very well.










I'm sure it did, just as my answer came from the heart.[/quote][/quote]

[WarEagle]

Does this mean you forgive me?

I never thought you did anything to be forgiven for, but if it makes you feel better, sure. You're forgiven.

[IamRedeemed]

um.....ok then....thanks....

http://bestsmileys.com/winter/14.gif

[Ishida]

I guess the only time one can tell is if YOU TYPE IN ALL CAPS, SUCH AS THIS!! PEOPLE WILL THINK YOU ARE YELLING! At least that is how I read it sometimes..

[DLMoody]

of course...

[brachah]

my pastor answered this question with his whole life. he was prisoned 1955/9/14-1978/5/29 for being a christian. during the house raid 1990/2/22, he said he was ready to die for christ in the prison (samuel was born on 1924/10/4). praise the LORD!

[IamRedeemed]

God bless your Pastor!
:hug::hug::hug::hug:


my pastor answered this question with his whole life. he was prisoned 1955/9/14-1978/5/29 for being a christian. during the house raid 1990/2/22, he said he was ready to die for christ in the prison (samuel was born on 1924/10/4). praise the LORD!