THE PEOPLE, THE ‘PROSPERITY’ AND THE POOR
August 30, 2023PURPOSES OF GOD, AND THE PLANS OF MAN
September 1, 2023The call of God, has a cost to pay. This is pretty clearly from the Scriptures. The LORD speaking in Luke 14:33, says, “33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”
On this day, 31 August in 1688 English Puritan John Bunyan, who wrote “Pilgrim’s Progress,” dies at age of 60. Even though Bunyan was one of England’s most famous authors even when alive, he faithfully kept his pastoral duties, right until his death. In fact, his commitment and his faithfulness in honouring the call of God, had caused his death. Bunyan caught a cold while riding through the rain to reconcile a father and a son, and later he died.
The life of John Bunyan is so full of sufferings, yet he looked at them as an honour to pay a price for the call of God. John Piper, writing in “The Fruits of Suffering in the Life of John Bunyan” says – “John Bunyan’s sufferings strengthened his assurance that God is sovereign over all the afflictions of his people and will bring them safely home.”
Christian suffering is a cost that we pay. As the disciple of the LORD, we are called to be His ambassadors and representatives; and therefore, the cost. “21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:” – 1 Peter 2:21
May the witness of John Bunyan be a source of inspiration to live for our God and our Redeemer, in these perilous and painful times. May we be found willing and faithful, to pay the cost of our call.
