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I have almost come to the end of the first part of Pilgrim's Progress and am in the chapter known as the Ninth Stage. It has been an interesting dream, or allegory to read on the topic of faith and being a disciple in Christ. It is a good illustration on the many, many trials us humans endure. Some which test our faith, some which strengthen them and some which show us how easy it is to fall prey to the things and ideas of this world, including our own minds.
As
I continued to read, I came across the man in the iron cage bound up in
his own guilt, sin and having a hardened heart against God. I was a bit
perplexed that a man thought he was unworthy of being saved since he
had known of God once before, His promise and the ultimate sacrifice.
Perhaps it was because he appeared to be a man of the proverbial cloth. I
was always led to believe that where there is life, there is still
hope.
Man. "I have crucified Him to myself afresh.
I have despised His person. I have despised His
holiness; I have counted His blood an unholy
thing; I have shown contempt to the Spirit of
mercy. Therefore I have shut myself out of all
the promises of God, and there now remains to me
nothing but threatenings, dreadful threatenings,
fearful threatenings of certain judgment and fiery
anger, which shall devour me as an enemy." - Pilgrim's Progress.
With aid of my earthly mentor, I have learned that there is one sin that is unforgivable. It is the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. To illustrate, please see these verses:
Mat 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
Mat 12:32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
While I thought (wrongly) that one could be forgiven anything right up until death, apparently there is one sin, above all others that is unforgivable. Jesus' words in the scripture are very specific on this matter. Earlier in Matthew, there is an example given, about the Pharisees attributing Jesus' healing to that done with the help of the devil.
Take Heed.
I started reading Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan. If you are interested in a free reading copy, there is a free PDF: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/39452/39452-h/39452-h.htm There are also many versions of it in physical format.
In my first sitting with this book, I took particular notice of the children named, Passion and Patience. The children were to each get an inheritance, but Passion wanted theirs immediately so they could enjoy it now. Patience wanted to wait. So Passion received their inheritance and it was gone pretty quick. Patience waited patiently and knowing their inheritance was still available. While this is grossly (and I mean grossly) paraphrased, I was reminded of the scripture, which yes, I had to look up to find out which book it came from,
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, only to lose his soul? - Mark 8:36
