Grace Baptist Church

Grace Blog

June 22, 2011

The Pilgrim’s Progress, Part 5

Obst. What are the things you seek, since you leave all the world to find them?

Chr. I seek an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, and it is laid up in heaven, and safe there, to be bestowed, at the time appointed, on them that diligently seek it. Read it so, if you will, in my book.

Obst. Tush! said Obstinate, away with your book; will you go back with us or no?

Chr. No, not I, said the other, because I have laid my hand to the plough.

Obst. Come, then, neighbor Pliable, let us turn again, and go home without him; there is a company of these crazy−headed coxcombs, that, when they take a fancy by the end, are wiser in their own eyes than seven men that can render a reason.

Pli. Then said Pliable, Don’t revile; if what the good Christian says is true, the things he looks after are better than ours: my heart inclines to go with my neighbor.

As Christian begins his discussion with Obstinate and Pliable, he wastes no time in warning them of their danger. They desire him to return to the ways of the world, but Christian, being warned in his Book and by the words of Evangelist of the coming destruction, does not heed their counsel. The comforts and friendship of the world cannot compare to the blessings promised in Scripture. Christian is determined to escape the wrath to come and find eternal life; and he attempts to persuade the two worldlings to go with him in his journey.

In his appeal, Christian continually uses the Bible as his defense. He tells them: “Read it so, if you will, in my Book” and “if you believe not me, read here in the Book.” He does not try to persuade them with his opinions or by force, rather his appeal is to God’s Word. Paul tells us in Romans 10:17 “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Bunyan highlights this truth by placing the Bible in the center of his allegory.

As the conversation unfolds, there appears to be two distinct responses to the Gospel. To Obstinate the Gospel is foolishness and he will have nothing to do with it. He reviles Christian saying, “away with your Book.” Pliable, however, has become enamored with the joys and rewards promised in Christian’s Book. He is moved and swayed by Christian’s zeal and steadfastness in the pursuit of eternal life. As Christian and Obstinate vie for his company, Pliable makes an outward profession: “I intend to go along with this good man and cast in my Lot with him.” As Pliable continues on with Christian, Obstinate leaves them, saying, “I will be no companion of such misled, fantastical fellows.”

After the departure of Obstinate back to his Destruction, Pliable finds himself at the high point of his brief pilgrimage with Christian. The path is easy. The conversation is pleasant. Pliable has “tasted of the heavenly gift” as Christian reads the rewards of the Gospel from his Book. For a time he appears eager as though he is advancing in the faith. Seeing the two travelers on the road from a distance one might presume that it is Pliable who is the “more spiritual.” He is zealous, ready to race to heaven’s gates, bidding Christian to tell him more, exhorting him with the words, “come on, let us mend our pace.”

Pliable, however, lacks some important distinctions. He is ravished with the “hearing”, but not the “doing.” He is concerned over the talk of a coming destruction, and is delighted with the promises written in Christian’s book; but he is also unwilling to face the suffering, obedience, and struggle that must come before glory.

While Christian’s heart appears tender and concerned, Pliable’s is hard. Their conversation begins with Christian speaking of the Powers and Terrors he feels because he has been warned of the coming destruction. Pliable, however, brushes the comment aside and asks Christian to explain the way to enjoyment. Christian can hardly speak it in his condition of conviction, but he begins to read in his Book. Soon Pliable is a zealous follower. But though the Gospel may appear to spring up and flourish for this brief moment upon the way, it does not take root and is destined to wither and fade at the first sign of trouble.

Pliable also lacks the distinction that has set Christian apart from others in the allegory since its beginning; he has no burden. He has not been confronted with his sin or faced his guilt. He feels light as air, ready to run straight way to the gates of heaven. Christian, however is under conviction. He feels the weight of his burden. He knows he is guilty and unfit for heaven. This knowledge slows him, while Pliable is urging him forward.

But Pliable’s shallow commitment to seeking Zion is soon to be tested. His fall waits only for the first sign of difficulty along the way. For it is not enough to fear death and the terrors of hell. Salvation requires repentance from the sin that merits death and hell. It is not enough to want the comforts and joy of heaven. Salvation requires faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and points the way first to the cross.

As Christian’s thoughts turn from promised rewards to contemplating his unfitness and guilt, doubts and despair begin to rise in his heart. It is here Christian faces the first great difficulty of his pilgrimage as the two travelers fall unaware into the Slough of Despond.

The Slough represents the uncleanness and shame felt by Christian because of his sin. He feels dirty and wicked in light of the beauty of heaven. He begins to sink, despairing that God would save one such as him.

But Christian is not alone. His despondency is so great, his companion falls in with him. But confronted with the vileness of sin, Pliable wants no part of its unpleasantness. He becomes offended that Christian would lead him into such a place, and with no burden to drag him down, he soon pulls himself from the mire and departs.

Pliable is later seen again, still in the Destruction in which he was born. But now he is in a worse state than before. His heart has hardened further as he joins the others to ridicule Christian. He himself becomes the object of scorn. He had started down the way toward eternal life and then turned back. Believers lament his shallow profession and lack of perseverance in the face of difficulty. The world mocks him for even venturing out at the beginning. He is called Fool and Coward and is treated as a hypocrite. For a time he loses his confidence and sits “sneaking among them.” This is the sad and fruitless pilgrimage of a false professor: at first flourishing and zealous; but headed for a certain shameful fall.

—Ken Puls

Labels: Cape Coral, Grace Baptist Church, The Pilgrim's Prgoress | posted by TimBrister at 9:32 am | Categories: Sunday School Stuff, The Pilgrim's Progress |