Martyrdom

Does the Bible ask it of us? “Take up your cross” (Mark 8:34)? “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25)? “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)? Hebrews 11 talks of martyrs of whom the world was not worthy. And Jesus Himself willingly gave His life for human redemption.
...true martyrs do not choose death; they are put to death because they cannot compromise their beliefs. When they lay down their lives, it is an act of selflessness, not selfishness. ~~ Mark Earley of Prison Fellowship Ministries.