HOW TO BECOME A PILGRIM

SERIES: THE PILGRIM’S PROGRESS

TEXT: HEBREWS 11:14-16

No one that puts hands on the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God-Luke 9:52.

After salvation, a believer has to forsake the world and the attractions of the world. Heaven- minded Christians are fast disappearing from the church. One cannot love the world and love God at the same time. In salvation in our regeneration we are taken out of the world and then send back into the work for a time, just to serve the Lord as His ambassadors in this world, out of darkness into God’s marvelous light. We transfer allegiances.

If our love is still for the world and its attractions, our allegiance has not been legitimately transferred.

Some believers love the world to the extent that they forfeit the eternal reward. “What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?”-Mark 8:36. Of such it is said, “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for is they had been of us, then would no doubt have continued with us.” In every day of a believer’s journey the attractions of the world and those of heaven are no both sides of the journey but it is very easy to be more attracted to those of the world.

More about a Christian’s pilgrimage.

WHY ARE SO MANY ATTRACTED TO THE WORLD?

Pleasure: In the last days many will be lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. Given pleasure on one side and God on the other, many will choose pleasure-2nd Tim. 3:4.

Possessions: The Lord spoke of the seed that fell on thorns. It germinated but as it grew is was restricted by thorns. The interpretation was-those who hear the word, receive it, but as they move through the world, they are choked with worries and the deceitfulness of wealth-Luke 8:14.

Relationships: It is in human nature to be appreciated and valued by peers, those around us. None of us wants to be assumed. To be relevant to the world one finds that one has to do what the world values. The world’s values often conflict with Christian ideals, leading to a pull towards conforming to the world and moving away from faith-centered lifestyle. It’s easy to live for man’s applause.

Security: The carnal Christian believes more what he/she can see physically than what is seen through the eyes of faith. That is why to be carnally minded is enmity to the law of God-Romans 8:7.

GETTING YOUR HEART OUT OF THE WORLD.

Colossians 3:1-6. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. It is your responsibility to set your eyes on heaven.

Romans 12:2. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Conforming to the systems of the world or the systems of heaven is a daily routine. You should do something every day to renew your mind-read the word of God.

2nd John 2:15-16. Love not the world or the things in the world. What you love is your choice. If you focus on loving God other than loving the things of the world, God will still supply all your needs, as you work with your hands from day to day-1st Thess. 4:11-12, Mathew 6:33. Lot’s wife was removed from Sodom but her heart remained in Sodom.

Galatians 1:10; Work against peer pressure, the need to impress those around you. Unless you purpose to live your own life you will be hijacked by others to live for them. Those who follow the crowd get lost in the crowd. Salvation is personal and each one of us will stand before the judgement seat of Christ alone-2nd Cor. 5:10.

Hebrews 11:6. Have faith in God, build your faith in God from day to day. God will supply all your needs-Phil. 4:19. There is greater security in God than in things that you can see-Psalm 91:1.

CONCLUSION