DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PILGRIM'S PROGRESS -- INTERPRETER

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – INTERPRETER

"These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all the things that I said to you….However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you" (John 14:25-26; 16:13-15)

"Christian then began to prepare himself for the journey. As he was getting ready, Good-Will told him that after he had gone a good distance from the gate he would come to the house of the Interpreter. He was told to knock at the door of that house, where he would be shown excellent things. Then Good-Will bid Christian Godspeed."

After Pilgrim left the narrow gate, he came to the house of Interpreter. He was invited into the house of Interpreter, who said to Pilgrim, "Come in. I will show you those things that will be profitable to you." This is Bunyan's way of highlighting the work of the Holy Spirit that brings a person to Salvation and then guides him in his Christian walk. No one can come to faith unless the Father, by the Holy Spirit, draws him (John 6:44). It is only God's gracious hand that guides us to Himself. The Holy Spirit convinces us of sin, of righteousness and of judgment (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit illuminates our own sinful condition, but also reveals the things that God has prepared for those who love Him (I Corinthians 2:10). Interpreter shows Pilgrim many things – a picture of Jesus on the wall, a dirty room that was cleansed, two children – Passion and Patience (Passion wants everything now while Patience is content to wait), a fireplace with a fire (signifying the grace that burns in our hearts), a man in a cage (a backslidden Christian) and other things that would be encouraging but also warning of things to beware of. As Pilgrim is about to depart from the house of Interpreter, Interpreter gives this advice: "Keep all these things in your mind as a constant encouragement and warning as you journey on ahead to the Celestial City." Even before he became a Christian, God was teaching Pilgrim to be careful how he walked on his way to the City. I am so glad for the ministry of the Holy Spirit Who not only draws us to Salvation but also leads us in our walk to heaven.

Love, Dad