Why can believers face martyrdom without fear?

Les teaches that the same victory Christ accomplished is credited to believers. In Romans 5:10, Paul says that while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Christ had to shed His blood for sin, but He did not stay in the grave. He arose victorious over sin, death, and hell, and since He was victorious, believers are victorious too. That victory is imputed to their account, so salvation covers this life and all eternity, and they already have eternal life within them. That is why believers over the ages could go to a martyr's death with no fear or trepidation. Les notes that when people stood at the stake and brush was piled around them, we do not read of them screaming, yelling, and begging for mercy; usually they were singing hymns and offering a prayer before the flames took them. This is the amazing reality of people who have eternal life: persecutors can burn the flesh and take this life, but they cannot touch eternal life. Paul admonishes believers to understand that by the work of the cross they are justified—declared just as if they had never sinned—and they also have eternal life. That eternal life produces a joy that is spiritual, not dependent on happy material circumstances.