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

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...