The Christian Pilgrim

Various authors

(Be sure to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Hebrews 11:13, "They acknowledged that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

The Christian is a pilgrim. He is in the world, but he is not of the world. He lives upon the earth, but his heart has been set upon Heaven. He belongs to Jesus, and therefore this present world can never be his true home. The world may call him strange because his desires, affections, values, and ambitions are different from its own. But what the world calls strange, Scripture calls holy. The Christian has been redeemed from this present evil age and is traveling toward a glorious eternal kingdom that cannot be shaken.

A pilgrim does not settle down in this poor world; he is only passing through. He may appreciate the beauty of the journey, faithfully perform the duties God has given him, love his family, serve others, and gratefully enjoy God's temporal gifts--but he does not build his hope upon earthly things. Houses decay. Possessions perish. Wealth disappears. Human praise fades. Friendships are fractured. "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:17)

The pilgrim therefore walks by faith. He has not yet seen the country toward which he is traveling, but he believes God's promises concerning it. Faith enables the child of God to live for spiritual and eternal realities that his eyes cannot yet see. Heaven is a promised inheritance purchased by the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus, and reserved for God's people.

Yet the pilgrim's greatest danger is not the length of the journey, but the temptation to love the road more than the destination. The world constantly whispers, "Settle here. Live for pleasure. Seek wealth. Pursue honors. Satisfy your desires." But Scripture warns us that such fleshly lusts "war against the soul!" The Christian must continually remember that he is passing through enemy territory. He must not make peace with the very sins for which his beloved Savior died.

The pilgrim's journey is also often difficult. There are . . .
  mountains to climb,
  valleys to cross,
  burdens to carry,
  temptations to resist,
  and trials that test his faith.
Yet none of these difficulties are meaningless. The sovereign Savior is ordering every step of His children's pilgrimage. He knows the road perfectly. He knows every danger, every sorrow, and every need. Not one trial is wasted. Not one tear is forgotten. The Shepherd who began the journey, will safely bring His sheep home.

And what a glorious home awaits the weary pilgrim! The Christian is not merely escaping from earth; he is journeying toward the presence of Jesus. "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord." (2 Corinthians 5:8) The greatest glory of Heaven is not its golden streets, its gates of pearl, or its absence of sorrow. The greatest glory of Heaven, is Jesus Himself!

Soon the pilgrimage will be over.
Soon the last temptation will have been resisted.
Soon the last sorrow will have passed.
Soon the last step will have been taken.
Soon the pilgrim will arrive at home!
Then he will discover that every sacrifice was worth it, every trial was under perfect providence, every tear was precious, and his Shepherd-Savior was leading him every step of the journey!

Until that day, let us walk as pilgrims. Let us . . .
  hold this world loosely,
  resist its sinful allurements,
  trust our faithful Shepherd,
  and fix our eyes upon Jesus.
We are strangers and pilgrims on this sin-cursed earth, and we are going home to our precious Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of His sheep.

"Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul!" (1 Peter 2:11)

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Today's choice AI resource: The Tests of a True Christian