Monday, 19 January 2009

  • Would You Die for Jesus?

    Guest post by captureacloud


    I had made an observation earlier that when we are Christ's disciples we are called upon to die. What I said specifically was, "Jesus died on the cross for our sins. To be like Jesus, we'd have to die for Him," implying that He did the same for us.

    Is that an erroneous statement? To defend ourselves of the faith, we'd have to be willing to die for Him. I read once about a shooting in a school, targeting one Christian girl, who was asked three times if she believed in God, then shot to death. Is this our ultimate goal as a Jesus-follower, and is that any different from a terrorist dying for his beliefs? Granted, that's an extreme comparison.

    If someone was to stick a gun to your temple, and demand you announce that you didn't believe in God in exchange for your life, what would you do? In this situation, it is you and the gunman, and there is no other way out. (an extreme assumption, but I am newly come into Christ – a little help understanding this would be great.)

    Would you die for Him?

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Comments (88)

  • Pieces_of_a_Melody@xanga

    I have no doubt in my mind that I would die for him. What better way to die?

  • robynnator@xanga

    to live is Christ.
    to die is gain. :o)


    i don't think any of us know what we would do until the time came, but i'm pretty sure that i wouldn't denouce Christ. i answer to a higher power than a gunman! :D
  • jmallory@xanga

    If I were to answer this question, I would say that I would die for Christ right now by anyone in any way. I would say that I would be tortured for the sake of the gospel until I finally die.


    However, Peter said the same thing... but then he denied Christ...
    Then of course, Peter grew more in the faith and was able to die for Christ without denial.


    I am just saying that it is easy to say you would die, but if it came right down to it, it might be tough to accept your fate.
  • pansybradshaw@xanga

    i hardly see this az the messij of the gospelz i wud say no & i dont think yer comparrison to terrorism izzan xtreme one
  • Pickwick12@xanga

    I hope so.

    I think an important thing to remember is that when we become Christians, we no longer have to do things on our own. If you (or I) were put into that situation, God Himself would help you to stand for Him no matter the cost. We wouldn't have to rely on our human courage and strength because we would have His.

    Thanks for the post. God bless you in your relationship with Him.
  • walking_the_narrow_road@xanga

    Being new to the faith, I'm sure it's kind of hard for you to picture what you'd do in this situation! I'm sure many Christians don't either, though.


    As for me, I would die for Christ. It'd be a lot harder if I was tortured, but God has never failed to give me strength and boldness in bad situations.

  • Todo_Cambiara@xanga

    Yes I would die for him.

  • Bender_of_Spoons@xanga

    Yes with God's help. When I was confirmed I swore an oath to hold to my faith even unto death and I intend to keep that oath.
  • musicmom60@xanga

    I could not deny Christ in order to live.  If it meant denying my God and my Savior, then I would take the bullet.  To live is Christ, to die is gain.
  • msarianne@xanga

    i would like to think i would. i want to learn and pray, and grow in faith, and become strong enough so that one day, i know i would die for Him.

  • captureacloud@xanga

    @Pieces_of_a_Melody@xanga - Valid point, yes :]

    @robynnator@xanga - We sure do answer to a higher power!

    @jmallory@xanga - That is what I was thinking of. You say that now, for sure, but then Peter thought so too. I do agree - when it comes down to the second you realize you are very likely to die, how would you know what you would do ahead of time?

    @pansybradshaw@xanga - What would you say is the message of the Gospels? I am honestly curious as to what your opinion is.

    @Pickwick12@xanga - So you say God supplies us strength. Okay, I can definitely see that. Thank you for your blessing, it is very much appreciated! :)

    @walking_the_narrow_road@xanga - You agree with Pickwick, then? I think I'm getting the hang of this God thing.

    @Todo_Cambiara@xanga - You are quite to the point! You seem very absolute. God bless you for your confidence!

    @Bender_of_Spoons@xanga - You are also right. Oaths are solemn things, especially with God.

    @musicmom60@xanga - I ask you this simply because you're the second to say it. To die is to gain what? Eternity with Jesus in heaven? That's a wonderful idea. :) I can't wait for it then!

    @msarianne@xanga - That is exactly what I want to do! Thanks for summing it up so concisely.

    @everyone - thank you for reading and answering! This will help me so much on my journey through faith.

  • Seekeroftruth

    I think that would be the ultimate test of our faith, actually the second ultimate test.  I think Abraham had the ultimate test because I think most parents would sacrifice their own life before letting their own child be killed (at least I would).

    Mark 13:12  Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents and shall cause them to be put to death.
    13  And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall ENDURE unto the end, the same shall be saved.

    2 Timothy 3:12  Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

    1 Peter 2:21  For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.

    If Christ was our example in all things and we're supposed to live as he lived and follow his example, then I guess that means that we're supposed to be willing to die for him too if necessary since he willingly died for us.  But you're right, talk is cheap; we can say yes all we want, but when it comes right down to the moment of truth many of us may chicken out; who's to say?  I guess we'll all find out someday perhaps.
  • captureacloud@xanga

    @Seekeroftruth - Those are awesome verses to look at; it motivates me to study my Bible more. I'm apprehensive as to when that "someday" will come, I hope I make the right decision!
  • Ancient_Scribe@xanga

    I would totally die for Christ. In joining the Society of Jesus (known as the Jesuits) I have entered into a long tradition of martyrs; you would be utterly amazed at the stories of St. Isaac Jogues, St. Jean de Brebeuf (I may have spelled that wrong!), St. Edmund Campion, and many, many others.


    But really, when you consider how much Jesus has given for you, death is very little by comparison, especially with the promise of resurrected given us by his own death.


    Not to say we should seek martyrdom, or even an "actual" death. There are many ways of "dying," the most difficult being, I feel, death to self. For example, when I took perpetual vows of poverty, chastity and obedience in August, I "died" in a sense. It is hard to describe, but vows are meant to free a person from their old life (like death frees us from our old life of sin) so that a person can live completely for Christ in a new life.


    And yes, some of my friends basically treat me as though I had died. But there is just a lot that they don't understand. Oh well! Great question!
  • pansybradshaw@xanga

    @captureacloud@xanga - my understanding of the gospel messij iz this to love gawd above all thingz & to love yer neighbor az yerself 
  • captureacloud@xanga

    @Ancient_Scribe@xanga - I bet I would be. Should I just google those names to find out more? What do you do as a Jesuit? I've heard the term before, but never really looked to find out what it meant.

    @pansybradshaw@xanga - I understand, and I agree with you. Thanks for sharing!
  • TheFireDiva@xanga

    I would totally and completely die for Christ. Without a doubt. Why not...if I'm supposed to love Christ as He loves me then...the answer is simple.


    God question though...great post!
  • Ancient_Scribe@xanga

    @captureacloud@xanga - http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=92


    http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=358


    http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05293c.htm


    I hope you enjoy them!


    One of my favorite quotes by Brebeuf refers to a time when he was canoeing, not long before his martyrdom, and later told his friends that he looked up in the sky and saw an enormous cross. His friends asked how large it was and he said, "Big enough to crucify us all."


    Blessings!
  • musicmom60@xanga

    @captureacloud@xanga - Yes, eternity with Jesus, rather than eternal separation from him, and to gain so much from just making the right choice - choosing life, in the face of death.  
  • MagisterTom@xanga

    I would die for Christ. As others have, I think, all agreed. I hope if ever put into the situation I would stand by my Lord, and I hope the Holy Spirit would keep me from stumbling at such a crucial point.

    I fear the God who can take my life and my soul, not man who can only take my life.

    And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
    (Matthew 10:28-33)
  • princess1505angel@xanga


    "There is a fundamental difference between Christian martyrs and those who have gained notoriety through terrorism. First, the life of a Christian martyr is taken by those whom he wants to save. He does not fall on his own sword and he does not use it against his adversary. Second, Christian martyrs do not pursue death; they pursue love." --John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad


    To answer the question, I was far more willing to die when I was younger, but I hope I still would today if the need arose.  (I guess that's part of why Christ said we needed to be like little children?  More trusting, less analytical.)
  • MisterAnthonyMichael@xanga

    personally, I believe that if a guy stuck a gun to my forehead, he'd shoot me despite my answer.  but that's besides the point.  Yes, I'd say that I believed in God over the whole "No" thing.  This is where "Just say no" fails, in my opinion.  He's got a plan for me, right?  And to achieve the goal he's set for me, all I have to do is remain faithful. =]
  • Ancient_Scribe@xanga

    @captureacloud@xanga - As a Jesuit, right now, I am studying philosophy and theology. After three years of that, I will go teach at one of our high schools for three years, then continue studying theology for three years or so before I am ordained a priest. From there, who knows what I'll be doing! In addition to being a priest, I could be teaching, I could be writing, I could be doing almost anything you can imagine. There are Jesuits in over 120 countries througout the world doing everything from astronomy to brain surgery, and all of it "For the greater glory of God."
  • RuthViola@xanga

    It's easy enough to say we would die for Christ. Perhaps we would, perhaps not. What is not so easy is to live for Christ. Every day, giving yourself anew as a living sacrifice. Dying to self.


    @Ancient_Scribe@xanga - So true.
  • LoBornlyte@xanga

    After having a gun put in my face and being forced to do unspeakable things, I got a good look at myself:  a coward through and through.


    In a way it's the like the Sal Mineo character in the story Exodus.  During the Holocaust he was forced to do unspeakable things in order to live.  Living with that kind of shame is daily crucifixion.


    Laying down one's life for another, dying to save a child for example seems much more possible than "dying for Jesus."

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