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

“There are three things in the man’s advice that you must absolutely hate: first, his cunning ability to turn you away from the true path; secondly, his work in displaying the cross as unpleasant and repulsive; and finally, that he points you in a direction that ultimately leads to death.”

“I neglected to watch and be on guard. As a result, I stopped controlling my lust, and now it runs free; I sinned against the truth and goodness of God’s Word; I grieved the Holy Spirit, and now He’s gone; I flirted with temptation, and the devil came to me; I provoked God to anger, and He abandoned me. At last, I’ve hardened my heart to the point that I cannot repent.”

To think that just the sight of the cross could remove his burden and give him peace!

“Then what did you decide to do?” “I decided it was time to try to become a better person or else I would be damned for sure.” “Were you successful in becoming a better person?” “Yes,” said Hopeful confidently, “I fled from my sins and from sinful company. I also devoted myself to religious activities, such as praying, reading, weeping over my sin, being honest with all my neighbors, and much

more. I became involved in too many religious activities to mention!” “With all this religious activity, did you now feel that your life was better off than before?” “Yes…well, for a while anyway.” Hopeful shrugged. “But even though I had made these efforts to become a better person, all of my troubles eventually returned and overwhelmed me again.” “How could this possibly have happened since you made all this effort to change your ways and improve your

already knowing the correct answer. Hopeful let out a slight smile, sighed, and said, “There were several reasons why trying to be better by my own efforts failed, especially when you consider sayings such as ‘All our righteous acts are like filthy rags,’’181 ‘By the works of the law no one will be justified,’182 ‘When yo...

“It was then I began to understand that if all of my efforts to reform my

life were just filthy rags; if trying to do what is right will not justify me; and, if after I’ve done all these things, I’m still unworthy, then it’s foolish to think that I will ever be able to obtain Heaven by my own efforts.”

the only way to be right with God is to attain perfect righteousness from a man who had never sinned. If not, no amount of my own righteousness nor all the righteousness in the world could save me.”

As they drew closer to the Celestial City, they had a more perfect view of it. It was built of pearls and precious stones, and the streets were paved with pure gold. The natural glory of the city and the reflection of the sunbeams upon it made both Christian and Hopeful homesick for it. They stood for a while, crying out in pain, “If you see my Beloved, tell Him that I’m love sick.”

The Gardener led them into the vineyards and told them to eat all the fruit and grapes they wanted.214 He also showed them the King’s walkways and the shaded areas that He enjoyed. Then they laid down and slept in perfect peace for a while.

“These troubles and distresses that you’re experiencing in these waters are not indicating that God has abandoned you. Rather, they are sent to test you to see whether or not you will recall the promises of God and rely on Him in your present trial.”