Grace Baptist Church

Grace Blog

June 13, 2011

The Pilgrim’s Progress, Part 3

Pastor Ken Puls continues his series of articles on The Pilgrim’s Progress in conjunction with our summer study through the book authored by John Bunyan. Here is part 3.

So I saw in my dream that the man began to run. Now, he had not run far from his own door, but his wife and children, perceiving it, began to cry after him to return; but the man put his fingers in his ears, and ran on, crying, Life! Life! Eternal life! So he looked not behind him, but fled towards the middle of the plain.

After Christian received instruction and encouragement from Evangelist, he wasted no time in pursuing eternal life. Even the cries of family and friends could not persuade him to go back. He had seen the hope of the Gospel. Evangelist had pointed him to Jesus Christ. Christian had discovered the pearl of great price and was willing to give up all he had to obtain it.

Our Lord has said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life shall lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” We must be willing to sacrifice all to follow Christ. Nothing is as important as our love and commitment to God. Paul said, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

But leaving all to follow Christ is not often simple. The world is not easily laid aside. It cries and beckons us to turn back. When a thief enters a strongman’s house to plunder his goods, the strongman is bound to object. Satan does not easily give up on those he has blinded and bound. He may seek to fetch them back, even by force, until he is defeated and bound by One who is stronger. The love Christ has for His bride and the sacrifice He was willing to make for her sake is no match for the devil and the world. It is Christ’s love for us that compels us to forsake all and pursue the riches and abundance found in knowing Him.

— Pastor Ken

Labels: Cape Coral, Grace Baptist Church, The Pilgrim's Progress | posted by TimBrister at 9:00 am | Categories: Sunday School Stuff, The Pilgrim's Progress |