Would you deny Christ....

One of the most terrifying things that a person can imagine is to be forced to watch as their child is tortured by another human. I have heard many people say they aren't sure if they would be able to withstand the trial.

Yet is there anything that we can do today to keep our children alive? Certainly we can do our best to teach them to not play in the street, not play with poisonous snakes or spiders, etc. In essence, we can teach them about dangers but we cannot protect them from dangers.

Is there really anything that you can do when your child has incurable leukemia? How many parents have wished the pain of their child upon themselves? What parent wouldn't gladly and happily change places in the car with their little baby girl as a drunk driver careens into the side of the car causing permanent brain damage?

There certainly have been exceptions, but by in large most practicing Christ-followers understand that trials and struggles come in this fallen world. Not many are willing to deny Christ and their faith as they watch their child struggle with the pain and even die from disease or catastrophic injury. Quite the opposite actually. Most claim that they would not have made it through the trial if it hadn't been for the Christ. If it hadn't been for the faith they have in the age to come, they would not have been able to endure the pain.

Hebrews 12:2 says ...who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross... (NKJV)

Many have walked out that reality. Because of the knowledge that they would see their loved one again, whole, without pain, in complete joy and happiness, worshiping at the feet of the One who made them that way, these saints endured their own personal crucifixion.

So then, if we know that we are able to endure (through the countless stories of those who have gone on ahead) torture of our children at the hands of sickness, disease, and catastrophic accidents then why do we question our ability to endure torture of our children at the hands of evil men?

What is the difference between cancer and terrorists?

Sure, the terrorist is standing there, with a machete, threatening to cut your child's limbs off if you don't renounce your faith. You are presented with an option that you don't feel like you have with the cancer. But, would you make a deal with the devil for the cancer? Would you keep your child here on earth for another 70 years at the cost of the eternal joy set before you? Would you make a deal with the terrorist for the same thing?

We know that the devil is the father of all lies. We also know that the word of a person threatening life and limb of any individual is highly questionable.

So, at the cost of your own eternal soul, would you deny Christ to save the physical life of your child?

You wouldn't for cancer, so why would you deny Him for terrorists?