John Bunyan, a Puritan preacher in the 17th century, became known for standing for truth. The government punished him by throwing him into prison, leaving his wife and six children at home, unprovided for.
In his distress, Bunyan sought God, and God responded. He told him to write. Although Bunyan only had a third-grade education, he obeyed. During his twelve years in prison, Paul Bunyan wrote 60 books, one being Pilgrim’s Progress, which sold 250 million copies and provided more than enough for his family during his absence.
Bunyan’s story serves as a reminder that God doesn’t want us to fear persecution. Instead, He wants us to walk it out faithfully, and receive heaven’s reward.
In Mark 10:29-30, Jesus said that those who endure persecution on His behalf will “receive a hundred times as much in this present age… and in the age to come eternal life.”
I had to learn this at a young age, when I endured persecution from my family after becoming a fully devoted follower of Christ. I wanted nothing more than for them to know Jesus like I did, so though I wasn’t perfect, I endured the persecution the best I could, keeping my eyes on Jesus.
During this season, I came to understand what He meant in Matthew 10:34-35 when He said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law…” He did not cause division because He wanted to, but because division was the natural response of a culture set on duplicity.
Dr. Warren Wiersbe said it like this: “Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the gospel is the message of peace. But when people confess Christ, they usually make enemies.”
Thank God, He graced me to withstand my family’s persecution and eventually help them walk into a deeper relationship with Christ. In the process, I learned just how God longs for us all to win the war for those we love.
First, we must focus on godly priorities, putting our Father in Heaven above those we love most on earth. In Matthew 10:37, Jesus says, “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Second, we need disciplined practices. In verses 38, Jesus says, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me…” Then, we must adopt a prize mentality. We must keep the reward of Mark 10 at the front of our minds, so that we can withstand persecution and receive the reward.
Let me encourage you today, friends: don’t grow weary in doing good. At the right time, you will reap a harvest, if only you don’t give up! (Gal. 6:9)
