Podcast listener Amber in Doylin, Louisiana writes in to ask this, Pastor John, the organ

shooting recently really shook me up.

I turned my life over to Christ a little over two years ago, I've learned a lot, but

I have a lot to learn yet.

I'm trying to strengthen my faith, but in the meantime I asked myself, what would I do?

My response was scary.

I'm not sure I could say I'm a Christian if a gun is pointed in my face, especially

if my children are with me.

I know that Jesus warned us not to deny him on earth, but I can't help but wonder if

doing it to save our life, even though we don't mean it.

Is it punishable?

Pastor John, what would you say to Amber?

Well, I love honesty.

So let's deal with it.

Jesus said, whoever denies me before men, I will deny before my father who is in heaven.

And I think the only situation he has in mind is the one where we're being threatened.

Otherwise, the issue of denying him doesn't come up a few verses later.

He says, whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.

And whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life from my sake will find it.

So that's the context of losing your life instead of denying Jesus.

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