"that will do it"
In Pilgrim's Progress, Prudence questions Christian about conquering his former way of thinking:
Prudence: Do you not find sometimes, as if those things (i.e. inward and carnal thoughts) were vanquished, which at other times are your perplexity?
Christian: Yes, but that is seldom; but they are to me golden hours in which such things happen to me.
Prudence: Can you remember by what means you find your annoyance at times, as if they were vanquished?
Christian: Yes, when I think what I saw at the Cross, that will do it; and when I look upon my broidered Coat, that will do it; also when I look into the Roll that I carry in my bosom, that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it.
These words are more than an allegory; they are powerful medicine. If we are to vanquish the little foxes of our thought-life, we do well to employ Christian's strategy. Setting our mind on things above isn't just good advice, but rather the way to run the race. I don't know 'bout y'all. but this here pilgrim is looking for some progress!
The Cross: "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:13-15)
The Broidered Coat: "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)
The Roll: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Our Heavenly Home: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'
He who was seated on the throne said,' I am making everything new!'" (Revelation 21:3-5a)
Prudence: Do you not find sometimes, as if those things (i.e. inward and carnal thoughts) were vanquished, which at other times are your perplexity?
Christian: Yes, but that is seldom; but they are to me golden hours in which such things happen to me.
Prudence: Can you remember by what means you find your annoyance at times, as if they were vanquished?
Christian: Yes, when I think what I saw at the Cross, that will do it; and when I look upon my broidered Coat, that will do it; also when I look into the Roll that I carry in my bosom, that will do it; and when my thoughts wax warm about whither I am going, that will do it.
These words are more than an allegory; they are powerful medicine. If we are to vanquish the little foxes of our thought-life, we do well to employ Christian's strategy. Setting our mind on things above isn't just good advice, but rather the way to run the race. I don't know 'bout y'all. but this here pilgrim is looking for some progress!
The Cross: "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." (Colossians 2:13-15)
The Broidered Coat: "I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)
The Roll: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (Hebrews 4:12)
Our Heavenly Home: "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,'Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'
He who was seated on the throne said,' I am making everything new!'" (Revelation 21:3-5a)
posted by thisrequiresthought at 10:58 AM
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