Today’s Devotional – March 10th (Pilgrim’s Progress: “Vain-Confidence”)
By admin On March 9th, 2014.
.
Today’s Devotional – March 10th
.
.
.
.
Pilgrim’s Progress: “Vain-Confidence”
.
.
.
.
.
“He that saith unto the wicked,
Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse,
nations shall abhor him:
But to them that rebuke him shall be delight,
and a good blessing shall come upon them.”
Proverbs 24:24, 25.
.
.
.
.
.
In John Bunyan’s remarkable allegorical tale, Pilgrim’s Progress, there was a 
character called “Vain-Confidence”.
.
And this most unfortunate fellow was true to his name!
.
You see, this Vain-Confidence did not enter into the pilgrim’s journey through that infamous Wicket Gate!
.
And as a result, his experiences were nothing like the pilgrim’s (Christian’s)Â experiences!
.
Pilgrim’s Progress – Vain-Confidence – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
MANY VAIN CONFIDENCES TODAY!
.
No, Vain-Confidence did not experience the things which the true worshipper of God experiences.
.
And yet this self-deceived one maintained a vain confidence that he was on the road to the Celestial City, just like the pilgrim!
.
Pilgrim’s Progress – Vain-Confidence – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
MANY VAIN-CONFIDENCES TODAY!
.
And the fact is, this false-hoped religious figure is still around today!
.
Yes, there are many such self-deceived ones today!
.
Hands – Wikimedia – Share-alike license
.
.
.
.
.
VAIN-CONFIDENCE TEACHERS
.
Those who have spent much time with Christian television and radio ministries can probably confirm a certain common technique often used by the various teachers and evangelists, when addressing their audience.
.
This common practice is very insidious and very evil!
.
Yes, this very deceptive practice, is that of addressing the parishioners in the pews as though they are all God’s sheep, thus giving them a vain confidence.
.
Have you witnessed this extremely deceptive and presumptuous practice?
.
The Pastor, or teacher or evangelist will go on and on, giving practical tips and helpful hints into victorious Christian living, as though his parishioners are all born-again Believers!
.
Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
DECEIVING EVEN THE ELECT
.
And in this day of great apostasy within the churches, there are probably very few,
if any who are truly God’s sheep in any one particular local congregation.
.
And so, the featured Bible passage for today’s devotional is very pertinent: “He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.” Proverbs 24:24, 25.
.
This passage reminds us of these modern-day preachers being discussed today, who never ever should lead anyone to believe that they are saved, when they are not!
.
Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
MANY ARE AT EASE IN ZION
.
And there are many who, “are at ease in Zion” (Amos 6:1).
.
Yes, in this land of plenty, the Devil makes sure to suffocate as many unwary pilgrims with all the worldly pleasures and treasures and earthly pursuits that he possibly can!
.
The Devil fills our lives with all sorts of little selfish pleasures and diversions and excessiveness: all which eat away our time, energy and money, and rob us of any spirituality.
.
Our daily lives are consumed by the cares and pleasures and over-commitments of this selfish world. (Yet deep down, we somehow intuitively know that we are still prisoners to our many selfishnesses and desires.)
.
.
.
.
.
THEY ENTERED NOT THRU THE WICKET GATE!
.
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” John 10:1, 2
.
This above passage speaks of those self-deceived ones whom Bunyan was referring to in his character, Vain-Confidence.
.
And just like Vain-Confidence, these modern-day Vain-Confidences also did not enter in by the Wicket Gate. They got in some other way. Perhaps they came in by some popular evangelist or prophecy seminar with colorful time-charts, or by some exciting musical extravaganza!
.
And while these exciting inducements drew them in, they nevertheless, did not enter in through the Narrow Gate, but instead, through The Broad Gate!
.
But soon after the glow wears off from their newly-found religion, they still continue on in church, merely going through the motions of being a Christian. And today’s churches usually supply enough worldly music and activities, etc., to keep these spiritually-desolate “make-believers” entertained.Â
.
Pilgrim’s Progress Enters The Wicket Gate-Wikipedia-Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
HIS FATEFUL END
.
But back to the story of Vain-Confidence.
.
At the end of their pilgrimage, the two pilgrims, Christian and Hopeful, crossed through that River of Death, finally entering into the wonderful and glorious Promised Land!
.
And soon after, poor Vain-Confidence came along too, riding on a hired ferry-boat! But when standing before the entrance into the City, it was discovered that this Vain-Confidence had not the proper certification papers!
.
And so, poor Vain-Confidence was cast out through a door, which took him from the Celestial City directly down, down, down, to Hell!
.
And such will be the fate of all the Vain-Confidences which sadly and tragically are so prevalent in the Church today, going forward in their self-deception! (see Matthew 7:21-23)
.
The Pilgrim’s Progress by Byam Shaw – Wikimedia Commons – US Public Domain
.
Â
.
.
.
THE TRUE PILGRIM
.
But like Hopeful and Christian, there are true pilgrims sprinkled here and there, in today’s church-world.
.
Yes, and every true pilgrim who has the hope of meeting Christ at His Coming, is actively engaging in the purification process (see 1st John 3:3).
.
He is seeking to separate his or her own self from as much ungodly associations as possible.
.
He is giving as much as he can of his self and of his finances, for the sake of the Gospel.
.
He is seriously striving to walk, “even as Jesus walked”, and deeply grieved when overtaken by some sin.
.
He sees himself as a stranger and pilgrim, sojourning through this dark and hopeless world.
.
The Word of God is his delight and is his counselor.
.
The Psalms are as cool water to his thirsty soul, speaking of the same trials and joys that he is experiencing!
.
He loves to get alone with God in the sweet hours of prayer.
.
He shuns all outward display and strives for the simplicity which Jesus displayed.
.
He loves to talk with other Believers about Jesus, and about Christ’s many wonderful qualities.
.
He rejoices to make sacrifices, so that he can more closely imitate His self-sacrificing Lord.
.
He patiently endures the chastening of the Lord, crying out for deliverance, but also for wisdom, so as to learn from these oft unpleasant trials.
.
And he loves to share his victories and even his many trials with other Believers, who are likewise experiencing the same things in the world.
.
And he longs for the day when he will open his eyes on Resurrection Morning, only to see the smiling face of His Lord, and hear the words… “enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23
.
Yes, these are just some of the qualities which the true worshipper of God will have in his or her life.
.
And Mr. Bunyan has given us this dramatic comparison between the true pilgrims, and that Vain-Confidence fellow.
.
Pilgrim’s Progress – Henry Altemus, 1890, p. 47 – Wikimedia – public domain
Pilgrims Progress – His Burden Fell Off His Back – Wikimedia – Public Domain
Chaplain reads Bible – Wikimedia – US Govt. Public Domain
Morning Prayers – Ebenezer Newman – Downard – 1860 – Wikipedia – Public Domain
David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain
Sunrise from Burrow Mump, Burrowbridge, Somerset – cropped image – Wikimedia – Share-alike License
.
.
.
.
.
To read part 2, click here…
“FEBRUARY 22 (Pilgrim’s Progress: Vain Confidence, Part 2: Eternal Insecurity!)”
Evangelist Preaching – Church – Audience hands – Wikimedia – Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
.
TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Let me often test myself, and see if there is any selfish way in me. Turn me from all presumptuous and vain confidence…
Marine Praying – Wikimedia – USMC Public Domain
.
.
.
.
.
READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “March 29th (Preaching to the Wrong Church” or you can also read… “Moon into Blood Trilogy: 3rd Face: The Sadducee Seeker”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
.
.
.
.
THE END
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
.
.
.
“It (God’s Covenant) shall be established…
.
for ever as the Moon…
.
and as a faithful witness
.
in heaven. Selah.”
.
Psalm 89:37.
.
.
.
.
.
.
THE SEEKER (THE SADDUCEE)
.
.
.
.
.
.
LOCATING THIS 3RD FACE
.
The 3rd face of the Moon is a bit more difficult to locate, because it is mostly upside down. But this photo and this sketch are how this face would appear if it was turned right side up. (In the southern hemisphere, however, this is how the Moon would appear.)
.
The third face is the most difficult to see northern hemisphere, but once you do, it then becomes easy. This face is like a furry creature of the field. Maybe a rabbit. Maybe a squirrel. Perhaps a chipmunk. Probably a mouse. All “seekers”; all foragers or scavengers. And while this picture shows this little “beast of the field” right side up, this 3rd face is always pretty much in an upside down position. The other two faces appear right-side-up, and are easier to locate. This photo and this sketch are both turned around to help you see this 3rd face easily. This enhanced sketch to the above right is merely to help you to see this face more easily. (As already stated, this 3rd face is right side up in the southern hemisphere.)
.
.
.
.
.
READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon into Blood Trilogy: 3rd Face: The Sadducee Seeker”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
.
.
.
.
.
TOMORROW: March 11th
(Just Two Wings of the Same Bird!)”
Black-headed Gull – St_James Park London GNU Free Doc. License
Â
.
.
.
.
.
20+ MINUTE AUDIO STUDY IN JEREMIAHÂ 
ALL‘NOBLE BEREANS’ (open-minded seekers of Bible truth) ARE ENCOURAGED TO BEGIN FOLLOWING THIS 650+ AUDIO BIBLE STUDY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JEREMIAH EACH DAY ON THIS DAILY DEVOTIONAL.
.
THIS STUDY #69 IS PRESENTED BY THE LATE HAROLD CAMPING, FORMER CEO OF FAMILY RADIO…
.
Above picture: Prophet Jeremiah – www.christianimagesource.org – Public Domain
Leave a Reply