THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS
FROM THIS WORLD, TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME
CHAPTER 3
WEEK 1 – FRIDAY
Read and pray: "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward." (Hebrews 11:25–26)
Evangelist – Then how did you so quickly stray from the path I showed you?
Christian – As soon as I passed the Slough of Despond, I met a man who persuaded me that in a nearby village I would find someone who could remove my burden. He seemed an excellent man, and said so many things that I gave in and came to this place. But when I approached the foot of the mountain and saw how high and steep it was above the road, I suddenly stopped, fearing it would collapse on me.
This man asked me where I was going, and I answered him sincerely. He also asked whether I had a family, and I confirmed I did, adding, however, that this heavy burden prevented me from enjoying them as I once did. Then he said, “You must rid yourself of this torment as soon as possible, and instead of heading toward that strait gate where you hope to be told how to obtain this difficult desire, take a more direct and better path where you won’t stumble at every step, with far fewer difficulties than in the other way, as you’ve already experienced.”
He said that if I went in that direction, I would soon reach the house of a man very skilled in removing heavy burdens. I believed him. And immediately, I left the path you had shown me and followed this one, but when I arrived at this place where we now are, I became afraid. I’m uncertain and don’t know what to do.
Evangelist – Wait a moment and listen to the words of the Lord. (Christian stood trembling as he listened.) "See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven." (Hebrews 12:25). "The just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him." (Hebrews 10:38). Applying these words to Christian, he said: That man rushing toward destruction was you. You began to set aside the counsel of the Most High and to withdraw your foot from the path of peace to the point of endangering your own soul. Christian fell at his feet, nearly fainting, exclaiming, “Woe is me, for I am undone!”
At these words, Evangelist stretched out his hand and said: “All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men.” (Matthew 12:31a). “Be not faithless, but believing.” (John 20:27). Somewhat comforted, Christian stood up, though still ashamed and trembling.
Evangelist continued: Pay close attention to what I’m about to say. You’re about to learn who deceived you and to whom you were headed. The first was Worldly-Wiseman — a very fitting name — first, because he loves only the doctrines of this world (1 John 4:5), which is why he always attends the church in the town of Morality and prefers such doctrine because it removes the Cross (Galatians 6:12); and second, because his carnal nature seeks to pervert my righteous purposes. Therefore, there are three things in this man’s counsel that must be execrable¹ to you:
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He turned you away from the right path.
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He tried to make you despise the Cross.
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He led you to a road that leads to death.
You must therefore:
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Reject the one who diverted you from the right path — a mistake equivalent to despising God’s counsel to follow that of man. The Lord said: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate” (Luke 13:24). That is the gate you were heading toward. “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14). That wicked man turned you from that gate and its path to throw you into destruction. Hate his actions — and hate yourself, too, for listening to him.
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Detest the one who tried to make you reject the Cross, for you must value it more than all the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:25–26). Moreover, the King of Glory told you: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it” and “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Mark 8:35; Luke 14:26–27; John 12:25; Matthew 10:37–39). Therefore, I tell you: any doctrine that tries to convince you that what Truth declares necessary for eternal life is actually death — is an abominable doctrine, and you must abhor it.
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Abhor the one who guided you to the path that leads to the ministry of death. Now consider whether the person you were going to see could truly relieve you of your burden.
That person’s name is Legality, and he is a child of the bondwoman, who is still in bondage along with his children (Galatians 4:21–27), symbolically represented by Mount Sinai, which you feared would fall upon you.
Now, if he and his children live in darkness, how could you expect them to give you liberty? Oh, never! Legality could never free you or relieve you of your burden. He never delivered anyone — nor ever will. You cannot be justified by the works of the law, for by them no one can be relieved of their load.
Know this: Worldly-Wiseman is a deceiver, and Legality — despite his false smile — is nothing but a hypocrite, fit for nothing. Believe that everything you heard from those fools was simply an attempt to divert you from salvation by turning you away from the path I had shown you. Thus spoke Evangelist, and lifting up his voice, he called upon heaven to confirm what he had said.
Immediately, fiery words burst forth from the mountain near which Christian had approached, and his hair stood on end. The words he heard were these: “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” (Galatians 3:10).
On seeing and hearing this, Christian expected only death. He began to weep loudly and curse the hour he had met Worldly-Wiseman, calling himself a fool for listening to his destructive and perverse advice.
His shame was immense, as he recalled how the counsel of that foolish man, born of the flesh, had prevailed over his thinking, to the point that he chose to leave the straight path of Good. Turning to Evangelist, he spoke these words:
Christian – Sir, is there still any hope for me? Can I go back and once again take the path to the strait gate? Will I not be rejected and cast away in disgrace? I am most sorrowful for having listened to that man. Can I still obtain forgiveness for my sin?
Evangelist – Truly, your sin is great. It caused you to do two wrong things: you left the path of good, and you entered forbidden ways. Nevertheless, the man at the gate will receive you, for he has goodwill toward men. Only one thing I advise: be careful not to stray again (lest you perish along the way – Psalm 2:12). Christian got ready to depart and, having kissed Evangelist, he took his leave with a joyful smile, saying, “God be with you.”
He then began to walk quickly, speaking to no one along the way, not even answering those who questioned him.
He felt as if he were walking through enemy territory and only considered himself safe when he re-entered the path he had abandoned due to the advice of the conceited Worldly-Wiseman.
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¹ Execrable: Detestable, abominable, deserving of rejection or a curse.
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