Would you?

[Samantha14]

If it came down to it, would you really be willing to die for what you believe?

Your thoughts?

[Renae]

I don't know what to say...of course, I'd like to believe I would, but I really don't know.

[Wretched Sinner]

Ive given this lots of thought before, and if that's what it had come to, I'd die for my faith. Especially after listening to Shai Linne's song Martyrs.

[Bethany Shepard]

Of corse! What would be the point of life otherwise!

[Liz'alike]

I don't know what to say...of course, I'd like to believe I would, but I really don't know.

I had the same thoughts, Renau. My first thought would be "Absolutely!" But then, when it came right down to dying, would I? I would pray that Jesus would give me the grace to do that, if that is what he would be calling me to.

But, if you think about it, he wouldn't ask you to do anything he wasn't sure you could handle. So, I think if God gave me the opportunity to die for what I believed, he would also give me the grace and peace to handle it.

So, my answer would be yes.

[Renae]

I don't know what to say...of course, I'd like to believe I would, but I really don't know.

I had the same thoughts, Renau. My first thought would be "Absolutely!" But then, when it came right down to dying, would I? I would pray that Jesus would give me the grace to do that, if that is what he would be calling me to.

But, if you think about it, he wouldn't ask you to do anything he wasn't sure you could handle. So, I think if God gave me the opportunity to die for what I believed, he would also give me the grace and peace to handle it.

So, my answer would be yes.

very true, and yes God does not give you anything you can't handle. But I can't say an 100% yes, because I don't know whats in the future, and I don't have the answers to "what ifs". That was what I meant

[Metal15]

wow, that's a toughie. But I have to agree with what Renae and Liz'alike said.

[Jason]

I've heard many stories of missionaries and other Christians in other countries dying for the sake of their faith. I guess it's something I don't think about too often because I don't want there to have to ever be a situation where I would have to. However, in the same way that I would defend or stand up for a friend in trouble, or protect a my family/ future wife&family from harm; I would also die for my faith before I would deny God. Not just because it's the right thing to do, but it's a matter of principle. God is my God and that's all I have to say about that.

[Starflower1234]

I don't know what to say...of course, I'd like to believe I would, but I really don't know.

I had the same thoughts, Renau. My first thought would be "Absolutely!" But then, when it came right down to dying, would I? I would pray that Jesus would give me the grace to do that, if that is what he would be calling me to.

But, if you think about it, he wouldn't ask you to do anything he wasn't sure you could handle. So, I think if God gave me the opportunity to die for what I believed, he would also give me the grace and peace to handle it.

So, my answer would be yes.

This is exactly how I feel. I pray that if I do have to stand up for my faith, even if it means dying, that I will obey God and stand up for Him.

[Samantha14]

I wanted to show you guys some of the highlights of a conversation on this very topic, only with an additional perspective.

Samantha14 - Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:54 pm
That one talks about dying for your faith.... But, not talking just physically dying, but what about like, flesh "dying"? Like, when you become a Christian, you "belong" to God... I mean, you're suppose to put Him first above worldly things and such, and not go with the flow, and... You know what I mean there? Being willing to "Die" in things such as social life and such, to follow God. Since no man can serve two masters.

Samantha14 - Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:54 pm
You're either for the spirit or for the flesh... You know?

Samantha14 - Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:56 pm
Like, you don't HAVE to drop everything, I don't guess, especially if God blesses you with those things. You just have to be WILLING to drop everything, and just follow Him. When you become a Christian, you "Die" in one way, just as you "live" in another.... Right? I guess...

Jason - Thu Jan 24, 2013 5:56 pm
It reminds me of that quote from Sargent York
Pastor Pyle: Then you know what you gotta do, Alvin. Alvin York: Yes sir. I need to walk up to that alter, sir. Pastor Pyle: It's not just walking, son. It's dying. Not like Everett inside of this box, but dying to that infernal man inside you that been fighting again God.

Samantha14 - Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:01 pm
Dying for what you believe, and the different types of "dying" there really are in it... It's like, something I "understand", and It feels like something to point out or whatever, but it's not something I can really explain....

Jason - Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:03 pm
Well I think the main idea behind the verse is that we're not living for ourselves but for God and by doing so we're giving ourselves away as a living sacrifice.

Jason - Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:04 pm
As for the different "types of dying" I c I think.

Samantha14 - Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:12 pm
Which would be, as an example (Teen here. ) giving up a sleepover or something to go to church or to a mission or something. Not giving into the temptations of the world, but running to Jesus instead. Not saying that it's wrong to do some of these things, especially if God blesses you with that opportunity... But, you have to know the difference between the spirit and the flesh at least somewhat too.

Samantha14 - Thu Jan 24, 2013 6:10 pm
There is "physical dying" of our bodies, the "fleshly dying" (Only way I know how to put that) that would be our flesh and temptation, and worldly-ish side of us dying, and the two points being, us being willing to accept said "death" of both. Being willing to sacrifice out lives for the glory of God, just as giving up our fleshly desires, in order to have God and His will as our main focus: the spirit.

"Not just being willing to give up your life for the Lord, and your beliefs... But, being willing to give up your "life" for what you believe...."

What do you guys think? I mean,

Romans 12:1 says:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Being a Christian, we don't have to just be willing to "live out our faith until the death.", but, we also have to be willing to let things such as "social standards" and such of fleshly desires go, in order to follow God's will as much as we can. Also, doing things such as turning the other cheek, being willing to go the extra mile, loving one another. God commands us to do these things. Now, I'm not saying that when you become a Christian, you suddenly have to become an outcast, and you'll never "fit in" or make friends or be "important" just because of it. That's not it at all. God may and will bless you with opportunities beyond your wildest dreams. I'm just saying that you have to be willing to give up those things and go a different way, even if the world says you're going the wrong way.

As it says, no man can serve two masters. Now, that's not just with money. It's with anything that could end up being your top priority over God, which should never happen.

I guess the last question to be asked it...

Which is more important to you? Your life, or the life God has planned for you?

[Liz'alike]

Very good points! I loved the York quotes. I also completely agree! We're not always going to fit in, or have friends. It's part of the call, and cost.

[Samantha14]

Truth. It really is, but we have to be willing. I think, other than just believing, trusting, and having faith, being willing is one of the most important things we can do in our Christian walk.