Strive to excel in building up the church. – 1 Corinthians 14:12
Pilgrim’s Progress, published in 1678, is an allegory of a pilgrim traveler named “Christian” journeying to the Celestial City. It was written by John Bunyan who was born in Bedford, England. At age 29, Bunyan became a Baptist minister and was imprisoned over 12 years for preaching without a license. While in jail, Bunyan supported his family by making shoelaces. His book, found in nearly every colonial New England home, was the world’s best-seller for centuries. In it, Bunyan wrote, “Christian ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending, and upon that place stood a cross. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosed from off his shoulder, and fell from off his back.”
Benjamin Franklin wrote, “My old favorite author, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress, has been translated into most of the languages of Europe, and suppose it has been more generally read than any other book, except perhaps the Bible.”
Many missionaries have given up honor, acclaim, and success in obedience to God’s call upon their lives. But the Lord honors them in many ways despite the fact they purposely gave up all rights to such honor. People who seek accolades and self-interest will be thoroughly humbled when they experience eternal judgment. Yet those who are humbly committed to Jesus and serving Him will truly be honored now and for eternity.
As you intercede for those in office on Capitol Hill, pray they will cast their pride at the foot of the cross and embrace a relationship with Christ. Pray that will spark a revival in this nation.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 14:12
So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Luke 14:7-14
7 Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
