Bible Certificates
In Bondage
All Christian pilgrimages start from the same point, in captivity to sin (flesh, world, and Satan). The goal of examining our pilgrimage is to understand were we are in it, to remember how we got to where we are, to become aware of things we may face as we continue, and to be always mindful that we must keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, [2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Before we can start our pilgrimage we must understand that we are in bondage to sin. In our study we will use two well know illustrations as a framework. One is the “Biblical Exodus of Israel from Egypt” to the “Promise Land” (Gen – Joshua) and the book “Pilgrim’s Progress” by Bunyan.
Although the story of the “Exodus of Israel from Egypt” is a true and literal story, it is also an allegory that pictures the Cross and a Christian’s exodus from the bondage of sin and their wilderness experience prior to their entrance into the “Promise Land”. Pilgrim’s Progress is a allegory about a persons exodus from the burden of sin (City of Destruction) and his pilgrimage to the Celestial City.
Our pilgrimage is about our exodus from bondage to sin (flesh, world, and Satan) to that Celestial City (New Jerusalem).
Israel recognized they were in bondage (slavery) under the Pharaoh in Egypt, remembered the Covenant of Abraham and cried out to God for deliverance!
The man in Pilgrim’s Progress realized he was under the burden/judgment of sin, convicted by God’s Covenant with mankind (the Bible) and cried out for a way of escape.
Have you been convicted by God’s Word and Spirit and cried out for deliverance? This is the common starting point to our pilgrimage (walk with God).
Jhn 16:8 And when he (HOLY SPIRIT) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Prayer: Lord help us understand that all mankind is in bondage and must cry out to you for deliverance.