...and you said you didn't (only to save your life) would God understand or did you just condemn yourself to an eternity in Hell?
2007-08-10 02:53:25 · 23 answers · asked by Linz ♥ VT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Peter, Jesus' disciple, is a perfect example of someone doing exactly that. And it's well established that he was forgiven. Since God is not a respecter of individuals I would say he would not only understand but forgive without hesitation (not that he ever hesitates to forgive).
2007-08-10 05:18:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is every Christian's nightmare, of course. If I am faced with the ultimate challenge, will I be strong enough to stand firm in my faith, even to death?
Nobody really knows what they might do to save their own lives...I want badly to believe I would be strong enough, but I can't say for sure.
Would God understand? Well, of course, He would...He is even able to forgive someone who has denied Him...as someone else mentioned, you can ask Peter about this. But, while you are at it, ask Peter about the horrible remorse he suffered until Jesus allowed him to affirm his love three times.
And, if you will recall, Peter also died a martyr's death in the end...
When you really think about it, sooner or later, we all must die.
Wouldn't it be better to die with your integrity intact...or to live for a few more miserable years, hiding who I really am...a coward??
God will not condemn you to "an eternity in hell"...that's nothing but a fear tactic that the church uses to keep people in line, even Christians know that, I hope.
But if you deny Him, you have condemned yourself to spending the rest of your life in your own hell...
2007-08-10 10:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
This was the lapsi controversy in the early church. Early christians renounced the faith under fear of torture and death and wanted to be invited back into fellowship. So this question has been relevant for a while. I wouldn't say that it would be the basis of condemning me to hell, rather it would probably demonstrate that I didn't know Christ at all in the first place. I would try to preserve my life, but would hopefully under no circumstanses deny Christ. I would pray for the power to stand firm till the end even if it meant death.
2007-08-10 11:07:03 · answer #3 · answered by Todd 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
God understands everything, including human weakness. We deny Him every time we sin, and usually it is for a far less significant reason than saving our life. Still, millions of Christians have died rather than deny Jesus Christ. Others, in a moment of weakness, might deny Him verbally when threatened, as Peter did, but nevertheless remain faithful to Him in their hearts.
2007-08-10 09:58:12 · answer #4 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Have you heard of Cassie Bernall? She was a new Christian and a student at Columbine High School when the shooting spree happened there. She was asked if she believed in God while a gun was pointed to her head. She said Yes. (Which is now the title of the book her mother wrote about her life)
Michael W. Smith wrote a song about her. It begins with haunting lyrics:
It was a test we would all hope to pass
But none of us would want to take
Faced with the choice to deny God and live
For her, there was one choice to make
2007-08-10 10:55:37 · answer #5 · answered by Bob T 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think anyone can really know what they would do unless they were put in that position. It's easy to say "If that were me I would have done....." but until you are really in that position no one knows exactly what they would do. I know the young girl in the Columbine massacre professed her faith right up to the very end. She's my hero!
And Jesus said "if you deny me in front of others I will deny you before my father" so you can infer what you want from that.
2007-08-10 10:01:04 · answer #6 · answered by lorrierae 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Isn't this a fairy tale from the new testament? Didn't peter deny christ 3 times? Wasn't there something about a c*ck crowing?
2007-08-10 10:05:44 · answer #7 · answered by Monk 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Good question. Lets look at the bible. Peter denied Jesus three times, and his life wasn't even in immediate danger. Yet, Jesus said that Peter would be the rock upon which his church would be built.
2007-08-10 10:07:02 · answer #8 · answered by Curtis B 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
I see someone mentioned Peter in the answers. However, Peter experienced a temporary problem, it was a sin he regretted deeply and never repeated. Thus it was forgiven him.
Jesus did emphasize that
Matthew 10:32-33 Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. 33But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.
^^^^^^^^^
Thus a misstep may be forgiven, but more than that shall not be forgiven.
2007-08-10 11:06:05 · answer #9 · answered by Fuzzy 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
we will all be accountable for what we say and do.... will we go to hell for it? it depends on the motive of our heart....
John 12:25
The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
i would hate to deny Christ, and then have the person still kill me and that be my final words about Jesus
2007-08-10 09:58:22 · answer #10 · answered by livinintheword † 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋