John Bunyan’s “Pilgrim’s Progress” is one of the most sold Christian books of all time. It is an elaborate allegory of a man who comes to salvation and eventually reaches heaven. While within the story, he is called “Christian” (after salvation), the title labels him as Pilgrim. For John Bunyan himself, he was a pilgrim twice over—once in salvation, and second in his refusal to partake in the Church of England. He viewed pilgrim status as part and parcel of his identity.
The Bible also calls the Christian to a pilgrim identity. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Pet. 2:11-12) Peter believed that these brethren needed urging and reminding of their pilgrim status. It would clarify their spiritual battle. It would direct how they should interact with their world. In other words, their pilgrim identity would help them internally and externally. I fear that the idea of being a pilgrim has been lost for many Christians. Sometimes, churches and preachers have urged their people to certain standards or lists of dos and don’ts, without an undergirding theology of being a pilgrim. A preoccupation with the external result has superseded the heart of a pilgrim. When the list of a pilgrim is pushed, without the heart of the pilgrim, problems will ensue. What defines the heart of a pilgrim?
First, the heart of a pilgrim knows that eternity is coming. A pilgrim is moving on. He’s going somewhere else and is not taking up a residence in his present location. Spiritually, believers are destined for eternal life. Rather than living it up in this life, we can live for a life without end. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Heb. 11:13) Abraham and his family had received promises from God that made them hold loosely to this life, and they sought a better life to come. Notice the order of progression in the verse (seen—persuaded—embraced—confessed). There was an internal convincing of who they were and what was in store, all based upon God’s promises. Then they confessed it—declared it. The internal became external. Who they were began to affect what they did. Certainly, the average lost person will think us strange. Some so-called Christians may even be repulsed by a pilgrim. “He is so heavenly minded, he is of no earthly good,” they will charge. Sure, it is possible to overemphasize this dimension of who we are—but I don’t see it very often. I don’t see any true believers going to the extremes of monasteries or an Amish-lifestyle. Rather than this, it is all too common to see believers living life one degree apart from the lost man: his budget, his entertainment, his goals, etc.—all quite close to his lost neighbor. God calls us to live for eternity.
Next, the heart of a pilgrim knows that God calls him apart. A pilgrim doesn’t fit in. His focus on his destination affects how he lives now. For the spiritual pilgrim, the emphasis is not the destination itself as much as the God of his destination. But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: (Ps. 4:3) God calls us to be His people. This means that we are to love Him and reflect Him. We are his possession, his slaves, his children. The setting apart happens in position through salvation, but it also is a progressive work of God throughout life. Thus we should become more and more a pilgrim as we grow in Christ.
The Bible word is “sanctify.” It can be translated “set apart, dedicate, consecrate, or make holy.” A Pilgrim embraces the supreme privilege of being a partaker of His holiness. God wants his children to be different from the world because they are His! (Peter even used the word “stranger.”) As Jesus prayed in John 17, he said, “they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” He also prayed about us being sent into the world but kept from the evil of the world. He prayed that we would be set apart by the Scriptures. (Ecumenists constantly quote John 17 in regard to oneness, but it is interesting to note that Christ expected this oneness to come through a Scripture focus and a separation from worldliness.) The “strangeness” we should adopt must be “likeness” to Christ. Sin offends our jealous God, and it has no part in our life. Our response to our flesh is mortification. Our reaction to Satan is to resist him. Our approach to the world must be separation. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (Jas. 4:4 )
Lastly, the heart of a pilgrim knows he cannot earn the respect of the world. A pilgrim knows he won’t be accepted. He is too different to be embraced by those around him. Jesus promised his disciples that they could expect hatred from the world. He also mentions it in his prayer of John 17. The Apostle John put it this way. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1 Jn. 3:13)
I recall a conversation I once had with a community organizer in our city. She was not Christian, and her organization was a “power to the people” type of group. She was highly impressed to hear that our church votes on big decisions. I explained to her that it was a Bible truth, and not a display of democratic political influence. I admit that it felt good to be respected for that slice of my Christian beliefs. I suspect her approval would have quickly disappeared if the Bible truths regarding corporal punishment, male leadership, or homosexuality would have surfaced.
As a Christian, our ideals, beliefs, and doctrines go against the flow of the world. We are fish swimming upstream. We cannot think that the approval of lost men will yield in spiritual progress. Our academics will never be smart enough. Our “Christian” entertainment will never be appealing enough. Our money won’t impress, and our philosophy won’t convince. We must not seek the respect of a lost world. [Of course, this is not a reference to being respectable—punctual, clean, polite, etc.] Peter told us they would “speak against you as evildoers.” It doesn’t feel good to be misrepresented, maligned, and rejected. Yes, we must be honest and do good works (see thoughts on sanctify), but many won’t be moved to see it until judgment day (the day of visitation). To seek the approval of the world is a form of spiritual suicide. It challenges the Lordship of Jesus and ruins our identity as pilgrims.
Fellow pilgrim—seek your welcome, respect, acceptance, and comfort in the world to come. You will be glad you did!
©2020 John Uit de Flesch. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.
