The Pilgrim's Progress: A Readable Modern-Day Version of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress (The Pilgrim's Progress Series Book 1)

by John Bunyan

But Pliable did not move. Instead, he seemed to be considering Christian’s offer. “Let’s not be too quick to judge Christian,” said Pliable. “If he’s telling the truth, then what he’s searching for is far more valuable than anything we have here. I think I’m inclined to go with him.”

Christian lifted his head, in tears. “Is there any hope for me, Evangelist? Would it be possible for me to go back on the Way and continue through the Wicket Gate? Or am I now stuck forever in my shame of disobedience? I’m so sorry that I listened to this man’s lies. Can my sin ever be forgiven?”

“Did he think so little of the glories of Heaven that it was not worth a few risks to gain it?”

“This is Christ, who, with the oil of grace, continually maintains the work already begun in the heart.42 The grace He supplies ignites the soul of His people like a roaring fire that, despite the devil’s best efforts, will never be extinguished. This is a difficult concept for man to understand—that even when we are tempted, Christ is doing all the work by supplying the grace we need to stand firm.”

“Jesus has given me rest by means of His sorrow and life by means of His death!”

I’ve traveled so far with my burden of sin, But no one could ease the grief I was in, Until I came here! What a place this is! Is this where I will start being blessed? Is this where the burden fell off my back? Is this where the cords that bound it to me broke? Bless the cross! Bless the tomb! Blessed rather be The Man who was there put to shame for me!

He made up his mind to move forward, yet the demons seemed to draw closer and closer. When it seemed as though they were almost on top of him, he cried out fervently, “I will walk in the strength of the Lord my God!” With that, the demons turned back and did not bother him again.

He talks of prayer, repentance, faith, and the new birth, but he only knows how to talk about them.

The body without the spirit is dead, so the same can be said about words without action. The spirit of true faith is a transformed life.

“Someone can cry out against sin in principle but cannot hate sin unless they have a profound godly aversion to it.

“Indeed, to possess knowledge pleases talkers and braggers, but to act on that knowledge pleases God. That’s not to say that the heart can be without knowledge, for without knowledge, the heart is nothing. In fact, there are two types of knowledge. The first type of knowledge is based in the mere study of the world and serves just the student. The second type of knowledge combines grace with faith and love and leads a man to act on the will of God from his heart, providing him contentment. As it is written, ‘Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.’115

Then Faithful began, “A true work of grace in the heart is easily recognized by the person that has it or by others that are observing him. For the person that has it, he finds himself under conviction for his sin, especially concerning the defilement of his own body. He’s also convicted for the sin of unbelief, for which he is sure to be damned unless he finds mercy at God’s hand through faith in Jesus Christ. The knowledge of sin and his inward convictions cause him to feel sorrow and shame.116 “But then he finds Jesus Christ as his Savior and the absolute necessity of living for and with Him for the rest of his life. And when he does, he experiences a hunger and thirst for Him based on the promise, ‘blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and they will be filled.’ “Now, based on the strength or weakness of his faith in his Savior, he experiences joy and peace, a love for holiness, and a desire to know Him more and serve Him in this world. But even as all of this is revealed to him, his old self and inability to reason misjudge the matter, and he is unable to fully understand this work of grace. Therefore, before he can conclude with confidence that this is a work of grace, the one experiencing this work must make a very sound judgment.”117 Faithful could tell that Talkative was becoming irritated as he continued with his second point. “To others observing this man, this work of grace is evident by a genuine confession of faith in Christ and by living a...

“My question is this: Have you experienced the first part of the description of a true work of grace in your heart, and does your life and conversation testify to that same experience? Or is your religion based just on the things you talk about without little care for your behavior?

Faithful said very directly, “Because I invited you to talk but then realized that you had no basis for your words. And to be completely honest, your reputation precedes you as a man who talks a great deal about religion but whose lifestyle is hypocritical. They say you are a blemish among Christians and that true religion suffers on account of your ungodly conduct. I have heard that some have already stumbled because of your wicked ways and that more are in danger of having their faith destroyed because of the way you practice your religion. Your religion involves meeting at a tavern and promotes covetousness, uncleanness, swearing, lying, bad company, and more. The proverb that describes a prostitute is also true of you; in that she is a shame to all women, so are you a shame to all believers.”

The day is coming when both those that sow and reap will rejoice together.120 That is, of course, if you do not become weary of the Christian life but hold out to the end.121 The crown is in front of you, and it’s one that will last forever. Run in a way that you will obtain it.122

“As for myself, I’ve been in the thick of battle before, and as you can see, I’m still alive only because of His goodness and grace, not because of great spiritual maturity on my part. I would be glad to never experience any more such attacks, but I fear we have not passed beyond all danger. However, since the lion and the bear have not yet devoured me, I hope God will also deliver us from the next uncircumcised Philistine.”

when did I first become concerned about the condition of my soul?”

‘God have mercy on a sinner like me and enable me to know and believe in Jesus Christ. For I understand that if the righteousness of Christ was not available or if I didn’t have faith in that righteousness, then I would be utterly rejected from your presence. Lord, I’ve heard that you’re a merciful God and have ordained that your Son, Jesus Christ, should be the Savior of the world. Additionally, I’ve heard that you’re willing to extend His salvation to even a poor sinner like me—and I’m without a doubt a poor sinner. Therefore, Lord, take this opportunity to magnify Your grace in the salvation of my soul through your Son Jesus Christ.

As I was anticipating nothing but Hell and eternal damnation of my soul, suddenly I thought I saw the Lord Jesus looking down from Heaven on me, saying, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.’192 “But I replied, ‘Lord, I’m a very great sinner,’ and He answered, ‘My grace is enough for you.’193

“It was from all of this that I understood I must look for righteousness in the person of Jesus Christ and for satisfaction for my sins by His blood. In obedience, Christ submitted to the penalty of His Father’s law for those who will accept it for their salvation with thankfulness. As a result, my heart was full of joy, my eyes flooded with tears, and my affections overflowed with love for the name, people, and ways of Jesus Christ.”

“Finally, it made me love the pursuit of holiness and long to do something for the honor and glory of the name of the Lord Jesus. Yes, I believed without a doubt that if I had a thousand gallons of blood in my body, I would willingly spill it all for the sake of the Lord Jesus!”

“You’re going now,” they said, “to the paradise of God, where you’ll see the Tree of Life and eat of the never-fading fruits! When you arrive, you’ll be given white robes, and you’ll walk and talk with the King every day through all eternity!”220

In that place, you will wear crowns of gold and enjoy the perpetual sight and vision of the Holy One, for there you will see Him as He is.223

To this multitude the two angels said, “These are the men who have loved our Lord when they were in the world, and they have left all for His holy name. He has sent us to fetch them, and we have brought them this far on their desired journey so that they now may go in and look their Redeemer in the face with joy.”

Oh, with what language or pen could they express their glorious joy as they arrived at the gate?