Pilgrim’s Progress: Salvation Hill

The last time we read Pilgrim’s Progress, we read about the Interpreter. Today we’ll look at Christian’s journey up, then down, Salvation Hill.

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Quick summary: Christian comes to a difficult path up Salvation Hill. Trusting that the King will help him if needed, he follows the path and makes it to the top, his burden loosening and, eventually coming off.

He is overwhelmed with joy, praising the King. Christian no longer has to walk with that burden. Three ‘Shining Ones’ attend to him. They give him new garments and advice for the road ahead.

Then Christian, ‘glad and lightsome’ continues on. He heads down Salvation. At the bottom, he begins to meet unpleasant characters.

There’s Simple, Presumption, and Sloth, who are so lazy and ignorant that they sleep through the day. Then Formality and Hypocrisy, who are short-cutting the Way to Mount Zion. And Danger and Destruction, both of whom steer off the Way to use the easier path. Next, he runs into Timorous and Mistrust, who are going home after deeming the Way too dangerous.

Even though he faced so many unfaithful people who could’ve planted doubts in his head, Christian follows his King and goes on the Way that he was told.

“To go back is nothing but death; to go forward is fear of death- and life everlasting beyond it.”

Christian

Christian didn’t believe in shortcuts, laziness, or failure. He was scared. But he believed that the King’s Way was the right way.

We meet people, lazy and fearful people, who might make giving up seem tempting. They say that following the Lord is too hard, doesn’t matter, is a waste of time.

Look at Christian’s example. Don’t give up. Continue on God’s Way and and trust Him.