CHAPTER 7
WEEK 2 – WEDNESDAY
Read and pray: “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.” (Galatians 2:16)
given to deep sleep; is scorned by Formalist
and by Hypocrisy; climbs the Hill of Difficulty; loses the certificate and finds it again.
THIS scene over, Christian continued on his way, and as he descended the slope of the hill on which the events just related had taken place, he saw, a short distance from the path, three men named Simple, Sloth, and Presumption, lying in a deep sleep with their feet bound by iron chains.
He went to them to awaken them, and cried: Wake up, for you are like those who sleep on the top of a mast (Proverbs 23:34), with the Dead Sea beneath your feet—an unfathomable abyss. Rise up and come with me; I will help you get free from these chains, for if the roaring lion comes this way, you will surely fall into his dreadful claws (1 Peter 5:8).
All three woke up, looked at Christian, but paid no attention to what he said. “I don’t see any danger,” said Simple. “Let me sleep a little longer,” added Sloth. And Presumption told him not to meddle in his life and to let him be. So they went back to sleep, and Christian continued along the road.
He walked on, though sad and grieved that those men, in such imminent danger, so stubbornly refused the generous offer he had made to help free them from their chains, after awakening them from their deadly sleep and giving them sound advice.
While absorbed in these thoughts, Christian saw—much to his surprise—two men jump over the wall that bordered the narrow way and come toward him. Their names were Formalist and Hypocrisy. As they approached Christian, the following dialogue took place:
Christian – Where do you come from, gentlemen, and where are you going?
Formalist and Hypocrisy – We are natives of the land of Vainglory and are heading to Mount Zion to seek praise.
Christian – But why didn’t you enter through the gate at the beginning of the path? Don’t you know it is written: “He who does not enter by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber”? (John 10:1)
Formalist and Hypocrisy – The people of our country consider, and rightly so, that it is a long way around to reach the gate, and they know it’s easier to climb over the wall. True, in doing so they go against the revealed will of the Lord, but they have been doing this for over a thousand years, and you know that custom becomes law.
There is no doubt that if this matter were taken to court, an impartial judge would rule in our favor. Besides, what matters is being on the way; how one enters is less important. You came in through the gate, we jumped the wall—but we are all on the same path, and we don’t see how your way is any better.
Christian – I cannot agree with you. I follow the rule established by the Master, while you act on the impulse of your whims, and are rightly considered by the Lord of the Way to be thieves. I am certain that at the end of your journey you will not be regarded as men of faith and truth. You entered without the Lord’s approval; you will leave without His mercy.
Formalist and Hypocrisy – That may all be very true, but it’s best for everyone to mind his own business and let others be. Know this: we observe the laws and commandments just as strictly as you do, and the only difference between us is that garment you wear—probably given to you by someone to cover the shame of your nakedness.
Christian – You are utterly mistaken if you think the laws and commandments will save you and you have not entered by the narrow gate (Galatians 2:16). This garment that caught your attention was given to me by the Lord to cover my nakedness, and I consider it a great sign of His kindness, for before I had nothing but rags.
When I reach the city gate, He will recognize me as worthy to enter because of this robe He gave me on the day He cleansed me of my misery. Moreover, I bear a mark on my forehead, which you may not have noticed, placed there by one of the Lord’s closest friends on the day the burden that so oppressed me fell from my shoulders.
I also have a sealed certificate, which was likewise given to me—both to comfort me as I read it along the way and to serve as a token for my admission to the Celestial City. I suspect you will lack all these things—and it is because you did not come in through the gate.
They did not answer Christian’s remarks; they only looked at each other and smiled. After that, all three walked on. Christian went ahead, talking to himself—at times sad, at times comforted and glad—reading from time to time the certificate he had received, which gave him much strength.
So they came to the foot of a steep hill where there was a spring, and besides the path that started at the gate, there were two other ways called Danger and Eternal Death. The path that went through the hill was called Difficulty. Christian came to the spring (Isaiah 55:1), drank and was refreshed.
Then he began to climb the hill by the path of Difficulty, saying: The way is steep and rough, but it leads straight to life—it is necessary to envidar¹ all effort and resolve in this endeavor. Take courage, my heart, do not be afraid or hesitate; it is better to follow the true path, though rugged, than to take the easier one that leads to eternal ruin!
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¹ To exert, to apply, to commit oneself
Enjoy more:
Hymn 30 “‘Abba, Father’, here gathered”
https://hinario.org/detail.php?id=55
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