The answer to this question is extremely serious. Christ will also deny your name in heaven. He will not stand up for you when you stand before your heavenly judge and he will turn his back on you. With this stark warning, Christ wants to urge you to stand up for him. At the same time, Peter’s example (Matthew 26:69–75, John 21:15–17) teaches us that there is always a way back for those who even acknowledge and confess their denial of the Christ. Then Christ can still be your Saviour and he wants to start over with you.
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,