Patience and passion


Below is a section from John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.  I have read this book a few times.  But something new strikes me every time.

I have been writing lately about how the world will suffer due to their lack of generosity toward the Lord.  I dare say brother Bunyan has done a much better job than I.
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I saw moreover in my dream, that the Interpreter took him by the hand, and had him into a little room, where sat two little children, each one in his chair. The name of the eldest was Passion, and the name of the other Patience. Passion seemed to be much disconted, but Patience was very quiet.

Then Christian asked, “What is the reason of the discontent of Passion?”

The Interpreter answered, “The governor of them would have him stay for his best things till the beginning of the next year, but he will have all now; but Patience is willing to wait.”

Then I saw that one came to Passion, and brought him a bag of treasure, and poured it down at his feet: the which he took up, and rejoiced therein, and withal laughed Patience to scorn. But I beheld but a while, and he had lavished all away, and had nothing left him but rags.

CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian to the Interpreter, Expound this matter more fully to me.

INTERPRETER: So he said, These two lads are figures; Passion of the men of this world, and Patience of the men of that which is to come; for, as here thou seest, passion will have all now, this year, that is to say, in this world; so are the men of this world: They must have all their good things now; they cannot stay till the next year, that is, until the next world, for their portion of good. That proverb, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush,” is of more authority with them than are all the divine testimonies of the good of the world to come. But as thou sawest that he had quickly lavished all away, and had presently left him nothing but rags, so will it be with all such men at the end of this world.

CHRISTIAN: Then said Christian, Now I see that Patience has the best wisdom, and that upon many accounts. 1. Because he stays for the best things. 2. And also because he will have the glory of his, when the other has nothing but rags.
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Dance to the tune of possessions, if so much pleasure is the sum of your life.  But the day will come when all that glitters will be Holy, thereby untouchable bike unholy hands.

All who chase after the things of this world, as if their true love, will abhor what is God’s.  The things of this world will rot your soul as you stand before the Most High God for the sake of judgement.  Beware, be warned and be wise.

The Slough of Dispond


Slough

Image by born1945 via Flickr

The Lord has given me many words to the unsaved and the proud.  Yet there are many who will take heed from those words.  I write this post for them.

As we encounter the Truth of God regarding our sins, we often fall into a state of disrepair and despair (I take note of the similarity of those two words).   It will be expected that receiving Jesus’ gift of Life is going to become a heavy burden at first.  More weight will be pressed upon the one who receives His guidance.  For all we have done will surface for us to examine.  This is expected and will surely surprise the one who thought “The Way” would be an easy saunter, all the way to the Holy Throne of God.  “The Way” is both the hardest way for a man or woman to live and the easiest.  John Bunyan wrote of this in his book “Pilgrim’s Progress”.

This miry Slough is such a place as cannot be mended; it is the descent whither the scum and filth that attends conviction for sin doth continually run, and therefore is it called the Slough of Despond: for still as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition, there ariseth in his soul many fears, and doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all of them get together, and settle in this place; and this is the reason of the badness of this ground.”

I do not want anyone to fall into hopelessness because of the burdens that will press upon them.  Keep your hope in Jesus and believe.  This place of horror will not last forever.  Yet it is a necessary part of accepting Jesus.

By His Grace.

Pilgrim’s Progress, the Animated Version


Source: Drboisclair 13:17, 8 February 2007 (UT...

Image via Wikipedia

Pilgrim’s Progress, the animated version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz9QG2ifiWg&feature=colike

Testimony Born of Trials.


John Bunyan's Tomb

Image by Noodlefish via Flickr

In a cell Pilgrim’s Progress was born.  And long after the penman’s body had turned to dust, the “scholars” of this world began to recognize the value of this chain birthed word of the Lord.  Since then, the work of God has found its home in the hearts of millions.

Has God placed you in a certain place of personalized suffering?  Do you own words of understanding born of stripes?  Speak with the wisdom of God.  Testify to His Glory.

By His Grace.