Matthew 10:33
But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. The reverse: denial of Jesus before men produces denial by Jesus before the Father. 2 Timothy 2:12 says if we deny him, he also will deny us. Peter's denial in Matthew 26:69–75 and his restoration in John 21:15–19 provide the narrative illustration: denial followed by genuine repentance and restoration is possible; the permanent denial that is in view here is the deliberate, persistent rejection of Jesus before the world.