The Christian Pilgrim - Part 2

And confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things, declare plainly that they seek a country." Hebrews 11:13, 14

Jonathan Edwards, in his essay "The Christian Pilgrim," exhorts Christians to see the present life as a journey toward heaven, and he offers the following directions for the journey:

1. "Labor to get a sense of the vanity of this world, on account of the little satisfaction that is to be enjoyed here, its short continuance, and unserviceableness when we most stand in need of help, viz. on a death-bed."

2. "Labor to be much acquainted with heaven. If you are not acquainted with it, you will not be likely to spend your life as a journey thither. You will not be sensible of its worth, nor will you long for it. Unless you are much conversant in your mind with a better good, it will be exceeding difficult to you to have your hearts loose from these things...and be ready to part with them for the sake of that better good."

3. "Seek heaven only by Jesus Christ. Christ tells us that he is the way, and the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)...If we therefore would improve our lives as a journey toward heaven, we must seek it by him and not by our own righteousness, as expecting to obtain it only for his sake: looking to him and having our dependence on him, who procured it for us by his merit."

4. "Let Christians help one another in going this journey...Therefore let them be exhorted to go this journey as it were in company: conversing together, and assisting one another...This would ensure a more successful traveling and a more joyful meeting at their Father's house in glory."