If we attend to our context we shall see that the apostle has here a special reference to denying Christ in this way—­“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel:  Wherein I suffer trouble as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.  Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.  It is a faithful saying, for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:  If we differ, we shall also reign with him:  If we deny him, he also will deny us:  If we believe not; yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself.”

The apostle persevered though he suffered the loss of all things, and incurred every indignity and sorrow; and even when he foresaw the loss of life, in consequence of adhering to the Christian cause and continuing to preach the gospel.  When some who were concerned for him, would have dissuaded him from adventuring among the enemies of Christianity, especially as his dangers and sufferings among them, were foretold by a prophet, he refused their counsel and adhered to his purpose, though tenderly affected with their concern for him.  “What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?  For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus,” and when his last conflict approached, apprized of what was before him, he advanced without dismay—­“I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand.”

St. Paul might have avoided all the evils which he endured because he belonged to Christ, by only practically denying him:  But he dared not deny him.  He knew the consequences which would follow the part he acted.  “If we suffer we shall also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us.  Having respect to the recompence of reward,” he pressed on, exulting in the prospect before him—­“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge, shall give me in that day.”

If to neglect professing Christ, when it exposed to such sufferings was considered as denying him, and incurred the forfeiture of an interest in him, will it now be dispensed with?  No, when it exposeth to no suffering, or loss?  When it both became the most cheap and easy of all duties?

Are the terms of acceptance with God in Christ changed?  Are they not the same as formerly?  Doubtless they are essentially the same.  “There is no respect of persons with God.”  If to neglect the badges of discipleship was formerly to deny Christ, it is still to deny him. If we deny him, he also will deny us.

III.  Christ may be denied by a perversion of the gospel, causing it to become another gospel.