A Dusty Parlor Made Clean

Journey to the Celestial City #13. In our continuing look at John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress," today we find the man, Christian, viewing the second sight of seven shown to him by the Interpreter. This second sight is of a dusty parlor into which a man with a broom is called to sweep. When he does, the parlor is so encompassed with dust that it causes Christian to choke. Afterwards, a woman is called to sprinkle water in the parlor. The sweeping takes place again, but this time the parlor is made clean. And our hearts, by our own will power (ie. our trying to obey the Ten Commandments), can not be delivered from sin. It is only when the Gospel is introduced, and we receive it, that our deliverance and cleansing can come. "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:5) More to come in the next blog post. Check back soon. (To read this entire blog post series, scroll down to "Pilgrim's Progress Series" in the left sidebar.) pp 22