A Shortcut to Death

Journey to the Celestial City #21. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, having taken leave of three who would rather sleep, he now comes across two others named Formalist and Hypocrisy. They've just entered into the King's highway by climbing over a wall. It's a habit of theirs - taking the shortcut. Though Christian rebukes Formalist and Hypocrisy, they will have none of it to their own danger and destruction. And there are those who would obtain eternal life by their own means apart from the Gospel. There is no such possibility. Only through faith in God's Son can a person be saved. "There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 31-34

Fast Asleep, But Not At Rest

Journey to the Celestial City #20. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, having received release from his burden of sin at the cross, he now continues on the path to the Celestial City. He happens upon three men named Simple, Sloth and Presumption. Each are fast asleep in his own chains. Christian does his best to wake them, but to no avail. For they will not be free of their own choosing. And there are many in bed catching up on their "z's" while their lives are at risk and in danger of hell. These are resting, but not at rest since they are outside of the protection of Christ. In Him alone is the true "rest" found. "Therefore, let us fear lest, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you should seem to have come short of it." (Hebrews 4:1) "'Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine upon you.'" (Ephesians 5:14) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 30-31

Released into Joy

Journey to the Celestial City #19. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, leaving the care of the Interpreter. He enters into the highway of Salvation, yet he's greatly slowed by the burden on his back. Thus he comes to the place where a cross stands. His burden is loosed and falls away. Christian sheds tears of joy and gratitude as the "waters [are made to run] down his cheeks." And it's through our belief in Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead that our burden of sin is lifted and we are made free from it. Oh, the wonders and depth of Jesus' love! He's given us "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the mantle of praise for the spirit of heaviness." (Isaiah 61:3bcd) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 29-30

Not Ready for Judgment Day

Journey to the Celestial City #18. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, viewing the seventh and final sight shown to him by the Interpreter. This seventh sight is of a trembling man rising out of bed. He's trembling because of a dream. The man relates to Christian his dream of God's Son returning to judge the living and the dead. The angels are sent forth to separate the wheat from the chaff. Indeed, many are carried away in the clouds to glory, but the trembling man is not among them. Thus hell opens her mouth below him and he is afraid. And there will be those who are caught unaware by Judgment Day. The Lord will return like a thief in the night. Let us be ever watchful and live like today is the day. "[It] is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment." (Hebrews 9:27bc) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 28-29