DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PILGRIM'S PROGRESS -- WORLDLY PHILOSOPHIES

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – MR. WORLDLY-WISEMAN

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ" (Colossians 2:8)

"Now as Christian was walking by himself, he spied someone far-off, crossing over the field to meet him. When their paths crossed, the gentleman who me up with Christian introduced himself as Mr. Worldly-Wiseman. He lived in the town of Carnal Policy, a very great town that was near the place from which Christian had come."

As Pilgrim walked toward the Celestial City, a man intersected his path named Mr. Worldly-Wiseman. Upon learning of Pilgrim's goal of being free of the burden he carried, Mr. Worldly-Wiseman advised Pilgrim to go to a nearby village called Morality where he would find a man whose name was Legality. This is the path of just being a good moral person; just live a good life by the laws of society to find happiness. Pilgrim was impressed by the decorum of Mr. Worldly-wise so he decided to digress from the path that Evangelist had pointed him to, and go to that village. But on the way, he became very distressed and his burden seemed heavier. As he was in this state of fear and confusion, Evangelist came again to him and shared God's Word that we live by faith and not by our good works, and that moralism and legalism bring us into greater bondage. They are not able to lift the burden of sin, and they lead to death. Evangelist directed Pilgrim back to the path that would lead him to the narrow gate.

There will always be the temptations to substitute God's thoughts and God's ways with human, worldly ways, with worldly philosophy and traditions. They try to focus our attention on this world rather than spiritual things. They offer all kinds of human solution to solve the aching of the heart to be rid of our sin. It may be drugs or alcohol, human relationships, education, materialism, or a myriad of other things to soothe the emptiness of the heart. The worldly-wise think that just living a good moral life is the answer. That's why God's Word cautions us, "Do not be conformed to this world" (Romans 12:2). The philosophies of this world will not solve the sin dilemma. Only God's way will lift the load of sin and give us peace.

Love, Dad