“So, he pointed me to another gentleman’s house where, he explained, there were men well able to take away burdens such as mine. So, I believed him, and departed from the way along this alternative route with the hope that I might soon be eased of my burden. But when I came to this place, and saw things as they really are, immediately stopped in my tracks out of fear of great danger, as already described. But now I do not know what to do.
EVANGELIST: Then stand still for a little while, so that I can explain to you the Word of God (1). (Christian quietly listened and trembled.) Make sure that you do not reject he who speaks to you as was the manner of Israel. For if God’s ancient people did not escape judgment when they refused to heed God’s messenger on Earth, how much more shall we not escape if we turn away from he who speaks from Heaven? (2) Moreover, the just shall live by faith; but if any man draws back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him (3). (Then he made specific application.) You are the man who, in running into such a miserable backslidden condition, have begun to reject the counsel of the most high God and withdraw your feet from walking along the way of peace, even to the point of being in danger of eternal perdition (4).
Then Christian fell down at his feet as if dead, lamentably crying, “Woe is me, for I am undone [ruined].” (5) At the sight of this Evangelist caught him by the right hand saying, “All manner of sin and blasphemies shall be forgiven men; be not faithless, but believing.” (6) As a consequence Christian revived a little more and stood up trembling before Evangelist, even as he had first done.
- I Sam. 9:27
- Heb. 12:25
- Hab. 2:4; Heb. 10:38
- II Sam. 12:7
- Isa. 6:5
- Matt. 12:31; Mark 3:28; John 20:27
The Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan
- Do you think Christian was ashamed for so quickly believing Mr. Worldly-Wiseman?
- What do you think about Evangelist telling Christian he had turned from he who speaks from heaven?
- Should we not deal with those who are in the same position as Christian just as Evangelist did with Christian?
- Have you ever been in this position where you believed someone you shouldn’t have and were found to be wrong?
“Repentance that renews precious fellowship with our incomparably wonderful God ultimately furthers our joy. Just as we cannot enter into true repentance without sorrow for our guilt, we cannot emerge from the true repentance without joy for our release from shame.” – Bryan Chapell
