Denying Jesus

[tjw]

In Matthew 10:33, we see that whoever denies Jesus before men, He will deny them before the Father in Heaven.

Example: If someone on Facebook writes a lie about Jesus, and a Christian feels that maybe they should correct the lie, but then doesn't, has that Christian denied Jesus before men?

Another example: Say a Christian is reading the Bible. Then they get a call from a friend on the phone. The friend asks, "What are you doing?" And the Christian answers, "Nothing much, just hanging out." Has the Christian just denied Jesus before men by not specifically saying that they were reading the Bible at that time?

OR, does denying Jesus mean a person who is in unbelief?

 

[Sparkey]

In Matthew 10:33, we see that whoever denies Jesus before men, He will deny them before the Father in Heaven.

Example: If someone on Facebook writes a lie about Jesus, and a Christian feels that maybe they should correct the lie, but then doesn't, has that Christian denied Jesus before men?

Another example: Say a Christian is reading the Bible. Then they get a call from a friend on the phone. The friend asks, "What are you doing?" And the Christian answers, "Nothing much, just hanging out." Has the Christian just denied Jesus before men by not specifically saying that they were reading the Bible at that time?

OR, does denying Jesus mean a person who is in unbelief?

My best answer to this question is something that I hear myself saying too often, "I don't know."

Usually I can think of a way to start to address such things but your question, "What does denial entail, exactly?" only brings the old addage, "Denial (de Nile) is a river in Egypt," and that doesn't help. Well, it not help ya much anyway, right? My only thought is maybe the subject is deeper than one can conclude immediately?

[EDITED BY Sparrow] Okay, I lied. There I said it. That wasn't my only thought. I omitted my main responsive thought to your query (about the ultimate "sin") due to my fear that I'd open a can of worms here and my dislike for such stuff. So, against what could be called, "my better judgment," I will continue and say, "No."

There you have it. In case you are not satisified and would allege that I am still dodging in a less than artful manner, I will now complete the thought. No, "denial" (no matter how YOU define) is NOT the unpardonable sin.

~Sparrowhawke
[END EDIT]

 

[Gazelle]

That isn't what Matthew 10 :33 is defining. It refers to when you are called up before those who would persecute you, such as a muslim court who says "deny Christ or die". A true believer will not deny Christ. Someone who does is not a true believer and can't be affirmed by Christ before the Father.

We can't always insert our faith into other people's conversation. Often but not always. Lack of proclaiming Christ is not denial.

It sounds as though one might harbor guilty feelings from not objecting to someone, say, using the name of our Savior as a cursing. One reason to really study God's Word is so that we do have an "answer" when something like that arises. Maybe create set phrases that are "comebacks" for commonly used offenses.

Be prepared for your words to not be accepted. Even Christians on sites like these like to consider that their attitudes and words are pure and acceptable to God...and trying to lead them a better way is often not accepted by them. The attack can often be that they feel you are assuming you are better than they. Only by having a right spirit can you remain sure of your motives.

If you can find a better way for yourself, do so. If you can help others to find that way as well, do so. Don't feel guilty for not intervening, do something about it first (study and pray) and you'll find out what God would have you do. Be well.

 

[tjw]

That isn't what Matthew 10 :33 is defining. It refers to when you are called up before those who would persecute you, such as a muslim court who says "deny Christ or die". A true believer will not deny Christ. Someone who does is not a true believer and can't be affirmed by Christ before the Father.

We can't always insert our faith into other people's conversation. Often but not always. Lack of proclaiming Christ is not denial.

It sounds as though one might harbor guilty feelings from not objecting to someone, say, using the name of our Savior as a cursing. One reason to really study God's Word is so that we do have an "answer" when something like that arises. Maybe create set phrases that are "comebacks" for commonly used offenses.

Be prepared for your words to not be accepted. Even Christians on sites like these like to consider that their attitudes and words are pure and acceptable to God...and trying to lead them a better way is often not accepted by them. The attack can often be that they feel you are assuming you are better than they. Only by having a right spirit can you remain sure of your motives.

If you can find a better way for yourself, do so. If you can help others to find that way as well, do so. Don't feel guilty for not intervening, do something about it first (study and pray) and you'll find out what God would have you do. Be well.

I think "lack of proclaiming Christ is not denial" is what I am getting at and wondering whether that was even a denial.

 

[Gazelle]

Exactly. That argument is waged for the end times as well, for those who never even heard about Christ, are they condemned already? Because the Bible is quite clear that it is those who REJECT Christ that are bound for hell. Those who have never heard have not rejected Him. (Yes there is some evidence that twice now the whole world has heard...etc. I'm not here to debate that at all.)

Think more... this way... we cannot possibly, physically nor even mentally assent to witnessing to and countering every single thing said against Christ by another. Are we to flit about from conversation to conversation in a meeting room, correcting and countering and setting people's notions of God and Christ "straight?" Of course not.

Choose your battles? We are in the world but not of the world. If we isolate ourselves only to where other believers are, we won't win anyone to Christ. Be well.