I will be persecuted and disowned if I convert to Christianity. Should I follow Jesus anyway?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Following Jesus may come with persecution, rejection, and even disownment, just as many faithful figures in the Bible experienced, including Abraham, Moses, Daniel, and the prophets. Yet their stories show that obedience to God brings blessings far greater than any earthly loss (Psalm 84:11; Mark 10:29-30). Jesus warned that following Him could create conflict even within families, but He promises eternal life and the security of His salvation for those who faithfully follow Him (Matthew 10:34-36; Luke 14:26). Despite earthly persecution, coming to faith brings salvation, forgiveness of sins, and adoption into God’s eternal family, offering a spiritual community that transcends human relationships (Mark 10:29-30; John 1:12-13; Romans 8:15-17; Ephesians 1:5-7). Trials faced for Christ strengthen character, deepen faith, and draw believers closer to God, providing His guidance, presence, and peace (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-5). Ultimately, the temporary pain of persecution is far outweighed by the eternal hope, joy, and purpose found in following Jesus.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Abraham left his homeland, family, and security when God called him, trusting in His promises even without knowing the outcome (Genesis 12:1-4). Following God is costly but the blessing of doing so outweighs the cost.
• Moses faced rejection, resistance, and even threats from Pharaoh and his own people, but he obeyed God and led Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 5:20–23, 14:13–14). Following God may bring conflict, but God’s deliverance is sure.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow to the king’s idol, even though they faced death in the fiery furnace. They declared their loyalty to God even if He did not rescue them (Daniel 3:16-18). Their faithfulness shows the call to follow God regardless of cost.
• Daniel remained faithful in prayer despite a royal decree that threatened his life. God honored his faithfulness and delivered him (Daniel 6:10-23). His example shows that obedience to God outweighs fear of human punishment.
• Many prophets, such as Jeremiah, were persecuted, beaten, or rejected by their own people for declaring God’s truth (Jeremiah 20:1-2; Jeremiah 38:6). Their faithfulness under suffering points to the greater reward of obeying God.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The only way to receive salvation and live in heaven forever with God is through faith in Jesus Christ. John 14:6 records Jesus asserting, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Acts 4:12 adds, "There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
• But should you follow Jesus even if you are disowned by your family or persecuted? Jesus addressed this: "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. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:34-39).
• The Bible also clearly teaches, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). The apostle Paul wrote these words from experience.
• In 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 Paul also wrote, "Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." Paul clearly understood and experienced much persecution for his faith in Jesus.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many people today around the world live in families that will disown them if they publicly follow Jesus as Messiah, the Son of God. For Muslims especially, where Islam's teaching is taken literally, a Muslim who converts to another religion is told that they should receive the death penalty. These are very difficult situations that only God can fully understand. Yet the Bible's teachings are clear that Jesus is the only way to God and only He can provide eternal life (John 3:16). Persecution may come to those who follow Jesus, yet this is not sufficient reason to reject Jesus Christ. Ultimately, it was Jesus who was rejected and placed upon the cross to die for our sins. We share in His sufferings when we are persecuted, becoming more like Him when we do. As Paul wrote in Philippians 1:29, "For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake."

Though following Jesus may bring persecution, suffering, or even disownment, coming to faith brings far greater blessings. When we place our trust in Christ, we receive salvation, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. We are adopted into God’s family, gaining a spiritual community that transcends earthly relationships. Faith in Jesus also provides His presence, guidance, and peace through life’s trials. The trials we endure for Christ help shape our character, strengthen our faith, and draw us closer to Him. Ultimately, the temporary suffering of persecution, though immensely difficult, cannot compare to the eternal joy and security we gain as children of God. People may seek to or even take your life, but they cannot take your soul and eternal hope. Choosing Jesus means gaining a life filled with His love, purpose, and everlasting hope.

UNDERSTAND

• Following Jesus may bring persecution, rejection, or disownment.
• Faith in Christ grants salvation, forgiveness, and adoption into God’s eternal family.
• Persecution is indeed difficult, but following Jesus is worth it.

REFLECT

• How would you respond if following Jesus caused conflict or rejection within your own family?
• What fears or comforts might you need to surrender to fully trust God in the face of persecution?
• How can you focus on the eternal blessings of salvation and God’s family rather than temporary losses?

ENGAGE

• How have biblical figures like Abraham, Daniel, or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated faith despite persecution, and what can we learn from them today?
• How can believers support others when faith brings family or societal opposition?
• How do we balance trusting God’s plan with the real, immediate challenges of persecution or disownment?