According to the Bible, "Our citizenship is in heaven" (Phil. 3:20) and we, like the Patriarchs of old, are "sojourners and exiles" (1 Pet. 2:11) "seeking a homeland... a better country, that is, a heavenly one" (Her. 11:13-16). The church walks the "narrow path" (Prov. 4:25-27; Matt. 7:13-14), which encounters many blessings, but also challenges. The apostles warned us, "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God," (Acts 14:22), and Christ promised us: "Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Rev. 2:10). Nevertheless, being pilgrims does not means societal and cultural disengagement. J. Gresham Machen encouraged the church to take a stand when necessary, to consecrate our efforts to God, and to influence the cultural and intellectual "atmosphere" in order to give the Gospel a better hearing amid society. In other words, we are engaged pilgrims, doing all things to the glory of God, and calling unbelievers to faith and repentance (Mark 1:15). In this episode, Pastors Brandon and Zac discuss how the pilgrim motif has shaped their lives.
For more information, see:
The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
The Pilgrim's Progress (audio book) by John Bunyan
Who Would True Valor See [Hymn] by John Bunyan
Passing Though: Pilgrim Life in the Wilderness by Jeremy Walker
Thinking God's Thoughts: An Introduction to a Pilgrim Worldview (ch.18) by J. Brandon Burks
The Lordship of Christ: Serving Our Savior All of the Time, In All of Life, with All of Our Hearts by Vern Poythress