The Pilgrim and Condemnation

Last week I read through The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. I noted down a view passages that particularly struck me and I thought I would share one today. At this point Apollyon is trying to make Christian turn back on the basis that he has sinned against his Prince at several points, even after starting his journey to the Celestial City.

APOLLYON: Thou didst faint at first setting out, when thou wast almost choked in the gulf of Despond. Thou didst attempt wrong ways to be rid of thy burden, whereas thou shouldst have stayed till thy Prince had taken it off. Thou didst sinfully sleep, and lose thy choice things. Thou wast almost persuaded also to go back at the sight of the lions. And when thou talkest of thy journey, and of what thou hast seen and heard, thou art inwardly desirous of vainglory in all that thou sayest or doest.

CHRISTIAN: All this is true, and much more which thou hast left out; but the Prince whom I serve and honor is merciful, and ready to forgive. But besides, these infirmities possessed me in thy country, for there I sucked them in, and I have groaned under them, been sorry for them, and have obtained pardon of my Prince.

When I struggle with falling into an old pattern of sin yet again, my response to the condemnation brought by Satan and the flesh should be as Christian relates here. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and it is actually worse than it seems. But then I point to the cross and my Savior, my Lord who is rich in mercy and who has pardoned all my sins by taking them upon himself at the cross. I am forgiven. And I rejoice that by God's grace, though I still struggle with these things, now I can only find my ultimate joy in God himself. As time goes on, my attraction to the things of this world will grow duller while the desire for Christ shines ever more brightly in my heart.