Christ, not Law, has the Power to Save

Christ, not Law, has the Power to Save

In The Pilgrim’s Progress John Bunyan tells the story of how Christian journeys from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City. Weighed down by the heavy burden of sin, Evangelist points him to the narrow gate that leads to salvation. While on his way Christian encounters Mr. Worldly Wiseman who tells him that he can get rid of his burden faster by going up a hill. Christian follows this advice but quickly realizes it only makes his situation worse.

So Christian turned out of his way…but, behold, when he was got now hard by the hill, it seemed so high, and also that side of it that was next the wayside did hang so much over, that Christian was afraid to venture farther, lest the hill should fall on his head; wherefore there he stood still, and wotted not what to do. Also his burden now seemed heavier to him than while he was in his way. There came also flashes of fire, out of the hill, that made Christian afraid that he should be burnt: here therefore, he did sweat and quake for fear.[1]

Bunyan didn’t mention the hill by name, but no doubt it’s Mt. Sinai, the mountain where God gave Israel the law. Instead of removing Christian’s burden, the hill only intensified his fear. That’s because the law cannot save, it can only expose sin.

Later in the story Christian comes to another hill where he at last finds relief from his heavy burden. Bunyan writes:

He ran thus till he came at a place somewhat ascending, and upon that place stood a cross, and a little below, in the bottom, a sepulchre. So I saw in my dream, that just as Christian came up with the cross, his burden loosened from off his shoulders, and fell from off his back, and began to tumble, and so continued to do, till it came to the mouth of the sepulchre, where it fell in, and I saw it no more.

Then was Christian glad and lightsome, and said, with a merry heart, He hath given me rest by his sorrow, and life by his death. Then he stood still awhile to look and wonder; for it was very surprising to him that the sight of the cross should thus ease him of his burden. He looked therefore, and looked again, even till the springs that were in his head sent the waters down his cheeks.[2]

This hill is Mt. Calvary, the place where Christ died on the cross. Only there can the burden of sin be removed. I trust you have gone there.