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

DAD'S RA,MBLINGS -- PILGRIM'S PROGRESS -- HELPS

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – THE MINISTRY OF HELPS

"And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:28)

"Christian was left to struggle in the Swamp of Despond alone. In spite of the difficulty, Christian still tried to get to the side of the swamp that was the furthest from the City of Destruction and nearest the narrow gate. He finally reached the edge of the swamp, but he could not, no matter how hard he tried, lift himself out of the swamp because of the heavy burden that was on his back. Just then I saw in my dream that a man whose name was Help came to him …. Then Help said, "Give me your hand." So Christian gave him his hand and he pulled him out, set him on solid ground, and told him to go on his way."

The Pilgrim was sinking in despair under his heavy load. Along came Help who offered to pull him out of the swamp. God has put into the Church the gift of helps to give a hand to those who are sinking under their burdens. Even Christians get discouraged under the loads they carry. We all, whether Christians or Pre-Christians, need at one time or another someone to reach out their hand to us. Jesus invited us to come to him when we are heavy-laden, and God has sent the Paraclete to come along side to help us carry our loads. But He also uses human hands to minister grace to those who are sinking in the swamp of despair. Praise God for the gift of helps. Maybe I can be used that way today.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PILGRIM'S PROGRESS -- OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – OBSTINATE AND PLIABLE

"The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in heir hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble" (Luke 4:14-18; See also Matthew 13:18-21).

"So I saw in my dream that the man (Christian) began to run. He had not run very far from his home when his wife and children, realizing what was happening, cried after him to return. But the man put his fingers in his ears and ran on crying, 'Life! Life! Eternal life.' So without looking back, he fled toward the middle of the valley …. Among those were two who decided to bring him back by force. The name of the one was Obstinate, and the name of the other was Pliable.""

Upon hearing the words and directions from Evangelist, Pilgrim started running toward the light. His family tried to stop him, and his friends and neighbors mocked him and tried to get him to return. But he kept on running toward the light. There were two of these "friends" who were determined to bring him back by force. One was named "Obstinate" and the other was named "Pliable." They ran after him to persuade him to return. But he answered, "That is not possible. You live in the City of Destruction, the place where I was born; and I believe that if you stay in that city, you will die sooner or later. Please consider, good neighbors, and come along with me." "What!" said Obstinate, "and leave our friends and comforts behind us? Will you come back with us or not?" "No," replied Christian. "I have started this journey, and I must finish it."

There are people we meet who are obstinate in their rejection of the Gospel. They like the way they are living and do not want to change. They stubbornly refuse to hear the message of salvation because they do not think they need a Savior. They have no inclination to hear about God or His Word. They reject the message of eternal life, and they will not keep company with Christian very long.

There are other people who are more willing to hear the Good News but they are wishy-washy – pliable to follow whatever sounds good to them. They receive the Gospel with joy and enthusiasm and follow for awhile. But when troubles come, they turn back. Both Christian and Pliable fell into the Sough of Despond. It seemed that both of them were going to be pulled under. Pliable says, "Is this the happiness you have been telling me about all the time we have been together?" With some struggle, Pliable got out of the Swamp on the side of the City of Destruction, and he returned home, leaving Christian to fend for himself.

There are those who would deter us from finishing our journey. But if our destination is the Celestial City, nothing in this world is worth going back to. "I have started this journey, and I must finish it." "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1).

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- POINTING TO THE LIGHT

PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – POINTING TO THE LIGHT

"And He Himself gave some to be….evangelists…." (Philipians 4:11)

"Now when they heard this [Peter's Sermon], they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostle, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' " (Acts 2:37)

"Then one day I saw the man walking in the fields (which he often did), reading in his book, and greatly distressed in his mind. As he read, he burst out, as he had done before, crying, 'What shall I do to be saved?' "

The Pilgrim was still living at home in the City of Destruction, but he would often walk alone in the fields, reading and praying. On this particular day, he could not decide which way to go, when suddenly, there was a man coming toward him. His name was Evangelist. "Why are you crying," asked Evangelist. Pilgrim answered, "Because I have been reading in this book that I am condemned to die, but I am not ready either to die or to be judged. These things distress me greatly, and I don't know which way to go." Evangelist pointed is finger and said, "Do you see that narrow gate?" "No," replied Pilgrim. "Then do you see that distant shining light?" "I think so," responded Pilgrim. "Then keep your eye on that light, and go toward it."

Pre-Christians recognize their plight, and they are searching for freedom from their heavy burden of sin, but they do not yet understand how to be saved. God gave evangelists to point the way of salvation to seeking souls. We, as evangelist, point them to the Light.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- PILGRIM STARTS HIS JOURNEY

PILGRIM STARTS HIS JOURNEY

"Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Luke 3:7b)

"WHAT SHALL I DO?"

"As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came to a certain place where there was a cave; and I lay down in that place to sleep. As I slept, I dreamed a dream, and in this dream I saw a man clothed in rags, standing in a place with his face turned away from his own house. He had a book in his hand and a heavy burden upon his back. I looked and saw him open the book and begin to read; and as he read, he wept and trembled. Not being to contain himself, he cried out in a loud voice, 'What shall I do?' " – Chapter 1  (See Acts 2:37; 16:30)

Bunyan tells his story in the form of a dream. In his dream he saw a man who was apparently in great agony. He was carrying a great burden on his back, and he was reading a book. From reading the Book, he had come to understand that there was great destruction coming to his home city. He had tried to warn his family and friends of the coming destruction, but they all scoffed at him, and thought he was insane. In his quandary, he was prone to wander in the fields, trying to find the solution to his inner turmoil. He was not yet a Christian, but he had started the journey – the pilgrimage – to find an escape from the City of Destruction. In his turmoil and agony, he was very distressed and cried out, "What shall I do?" As we follow him in his quest to escape the City of Destruction, we shall meet some very interesting people. Come, let us journey with him together.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE PILGRIMS PROGRESS

THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS – INTRODUCTION – THE UPWARD CALL

"… this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13b-14).

The Pilgrim's Progress is a classic allegory written by John Bunyan that has encouraged Christians through the centuries.

John Bunyan (1628-1688) was in jail for 12 years from 1661-1673 because his religious convictions were at odds with the Church of England. While in prison, he wrote this story, using only his imagination and his Bible as sources. It is written in allegory form, and should be understood in that sense. The various characters represent forces that try to discourage "Christian" from reaching the Celestial City.

The Pilgrim's Progress is the tale of a man who has come to understand that the city he lives in is doomed for destruction because of its wickedness. So he leaves his family and friends to begin the pilgrimage to the Celestial City. Along the way, he meets with various trials and temptations that try to deter him from continuing along the path to the heavenly destination.

As one reads the story, he or she might identify with many of the situations and characters in the book. But the Pilgrim endures and stays true to his upward calling, despite many distractions and battles. So let's join Pilgrim on his journey.

Love, Dad

DAD'S RAMBLIGS -- LESSONS FROM JOB #21 -- TOMORROW

LESSONS FROM JOB #21 – TOMORROW

"The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before …. Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…." (Job 42:10b, 12:a)

Job came through the trial with a perfect score, and his faith was stronger because of it. His faith was not just because he had heard about Yahweh, but "now my eyes have seen you" (vs. 5). He had a greater understanding of God because of what he had been through. Sometimes the days of our affliction seems to go on forever with no light at the end of the tunnel. But there will be a tomorrow. Little Orphan Annie was in an orphanage where things were tough. But in the musical, she was able to sing, "Tomorrow! The sun'll come out tomorrow!" One preacher's favorite text was, "And it came to pass." Remember the black preacher's message: "It's Friday but Sunday's acomin'." The faith of the Christian is Tomorrow. My suffering may not be eliminated in this life, but there will be a Great Tomorrow when all pain and suffering will be a distant memory. In the film, "A Man Called Peter," the story of Peter Marshall who at one time was Chaplain of the U.S. Senate, Peter had a heart attack. As he was being carried away on the stretcher by the EMTs, he looked up at his wife, Catherine, and said, "I'll see you in the morning." That is the great hope of the Christian – sunrise in the Great Tomorrow. "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). What a day that will be – TOMORROW!

Love, Dad