Pilgrim's Progress

by John Bunyan

“A true work of grace at work in the heart is evident to the person himself as well as to the people around him. To the one who has it, it brings conviction of sin, especially the defilement of his new nature and the sin of unbelief for which he would be damned if it weren’t for the mercy at God’s hand by faith in Jesus Christ. “This perspective and sense of these things work in him a sorrow and shame for sin. (For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin. – Psalm 38:18) Plus, he finds the Savior of the world revealed in him, along with the absolute necessity of living for and with Him to the end of life. Through this he discovers a hunger and thirst for Him who has made the promise. “Now, according to the strength or weakness of his faith in his Savior, so is the joy and peace he experiences. And so is his love of holiness, his desire to know Him more and also to serve Him in this world. But though it reveals itself in this way, yet because of a person’s own corruption and abused reason, they misjudge this matter, for they are unable to understand this work of grace. For this reason, the one who has this work going on in their heart is required to use very sound judgment before he can firmly conclude that this is a work of grace. (We are Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may...

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