[pgyanke]

I think a Christian would have to do a lot of soul-searching after finding that his skin is more important than Christ. Christ Himself said that whoever denies Him before men, He will deny before His Father in Heaven. Is there repentence? Sure... look at Peter and his need for repentence after denying Christ three times to save his own hide. This culminated in the Quo Vadis where he followed Christ to his own death. That is our calling as well.

Besides, imagine the testimony of faith to bear witness to Christ in the face of death. That is what it means to trust God.

Easy to say from the comfort of my chair? Sure. I can only pray for the strength if I'm ever called to martyrdom.

[CTMRIop]

"I think a Christian would have to do a lot of soul-searching after finding that his skin is more important than Christ."

I agree. And it's a horrible situation to be in. However, I believe in an all-knowing and merciful God who knows my heart. I don't know what I would do, either. I might be so f-ing angry at my captors that it might spur me to martyr myself. If not, I would repent and I know full well that God would understand and forgive.