The Pilgrim’s Progress – Chapter 5 (A Faithful Friend)

As Christian came out of the Valley of the Shadow of Death, he came to a little upward slope that had been put there for the purpose of helping pilgrims see what lay ahead of them.  He climbed and from that height, he saw Faithful just ahead of him on his journey.  He called aloud, “ Hello, hello! Wait right there, and I will come to you and be your companion.”

Faithful looked behind him, saw Christian, who cried out again, “Stay, stay, so I can catch up with you.”

But Faithful answered, “No, I am fleeing for my life, and the avenger of blood is behind me!”

Christian gathered his strength and ran with all his might in order to catch up with Faithful. Soon, not only had he caught up with Faithful, but had run past him a little ways, so the last became first. Then he turned and proudly smiled at Faithful, feeling smug about overtaking him. At that moment Christian stumbled and fell to the ground with such force that it left him unable to rise to his feet until Faithful came and helped him up.

Christian: My honored friend, I am glad that I have overtaken you and that God has done a work in both our spirits so that we can walk as companions on this pleasant path.

Faithful:  I would have like to have enjoyed your company from the beginning of the journey, but you left earlier than I did, and I was forced to come this far all alone.

Christian: How long did you stay in the City of Destruction before you set out after me on your pilgrimage?

Faithful: Until I could stay no longer, for there was a lot of talk after you left that our city would in a short time be burned down to the ground with fire from Heaven.

Christian: Really? Your neighbors said that?

Faithful: Yes, and for a while it was all anyone talked about.

Christian: And why are you the only one who left to escape the danger?

Faithful: Well, like I said, there was a lot of talk about it, but I don’t think anyone really believed it. Even when the topic was on everyone’s lips, I heard some speak deridingly of you and your desperate journey (as some have called your pilgrimage.). But I believed it and … that is why I made my escape.

They talked about the fate of Pliable after his return to the City of Destruction; how he was mocked and despised and many would not even share his company any longer so that he was seven times worse off that if he had never left the city.  Faithful had tried to talk to him before he left, but Pliable looked the other way, ashamed of what he had done.  Christian shared the sadness of his new friend as he too, had hopes for Pliable when he first started the journey, but now fears he will perish in the overthrow of the city.  😔

Faithful told Christian about some of the snares, traps, distractions, and trials that he met up with.  These were different than Christian’s. Faithful met with Wanton, who tried to tempt Faithful with flattering words and promises of fleshly pleasures and contentment.  He then met an old man named Adam the First who lived in Deceit. This man invited Faithful to live with him and his three daughters: Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, and Pride of Life.  But Faithful, even after thinking the offer sounded good, knew he needed to ‘Put off the old man with his deeds.’  He knew that behind the flattering words of the offer, this man intended to make him his slave.

When climbing Hill Difficulty, Faithful was assaulted twice because of his secret inclination to follow Adam the First.  Faithful cried out for mercy, but his assailant said, ‘I do not know how to show mercy’ and beat him again.  He would have been beaten to death except One came by and told him to stop. Faithful knew by the wounds in His hands and in His side, the One who saved him was our Lord.  Christian explained that the assailant was Moses.  He spares no one, and he does not know how to show mercy to anyone that transgresses the Law.

Faithful did not stop at House Beautiful, the lions were asleep, it was only noon, so in the lasting daylight he passed by the porter and continued into the Valley of Humiliation.  There he met Discontent, who would have gladly persuaded him to go back with him, because the valley was altogether without honor!  Going through that valley would disappoint and disobey all my friends, such as Pride, Arrogance, Self-conceit, Worldly-Glory, and others he knew. Going through the Valley of Humiliation would very much offend his friends if Faithful made a fool of himself.

Christian: Well, how did you answer Discontent?

Faithful: I told him that even though all those he named had once been my friends, they had disowned me since I became a pilgrim, as I had also rejected them.  Therefore, they had no more claim on me.  Moreover, he had misrepresented the Valley of Humiliation, for before there is any honor there is humility; and ‘a haughty spirit comes before a fall.’ So, I told him I’d rather go through this valley to find the honor that true wise men seek than choose those things that this man and his worldly friends think most worthy of our affections.

Christian: Did you meet anyone else in the valley?

Faithful: Yes, I met with a man named Shame. However, of all the  men that I met, he, I think, bears the wrong name.  The others would leave me after a little argumentation, but this bold-faced Shame would never have left me.

Christian: Why? What did he say to you?

Faithful: He objected to religion itself; he said it was a pitiful, low, sneaking business for a man to consider religion.  He said that a tender conscience is an unmanly thing and that I would be the object of ridicule if I watched over my words and ways and did not allow myself the liberties to which the brave spirits of the times accustom themselves.  He also observed that not many mighty, rich, or wise are of my opinion.  He also was quick to point out that most of the pilgrims are disreputable, powerless, and poor. He said that those who follow the way are out of step with the times in which they live, proving their ignorance and lack of understanding in science. He said it was a shame to sit regretful and mournful under a sermon and a shame to come home sighing and groaning. He thought it a shame to ask my neighbor’s forgiveness for petty offenses or to make restitution when I had taken away something that belonged to another. He said that religion estranges men from the company of great men, who will tolerate vices (which he called by fine, respectable names), and makes them respect base sin because of their religious fraternity.  Then he asked, ‘Is not this a shame?’

Christian:  And what did you say to him?

Faithful: At first I did not know what to say. He put my mind in such a spin that the blook rushed to me head. Yes, Shame almost silenced me. But then I began to consider, “That which is highly esteemed among men, is an abomination to God.” And I began to consider that Shame was telling me what men were like, but nothing about what God or the Word of God is like. Moreover, I realized that on the Day of Judgment we will not be doomed to death or life according to the harassing spirits of the world but according to the wisdom and law of the Highest. Therefore, thought I, what God says is indeed best, though all the men in the world are against it… So, I said, ‘Shame, depart, for you are an enemy to my salvation! Shall I consider your arguments, Shame, against my Sovereign Lord?  If so, then how can I look Him in the face at His coming? Can I now be ashamed of His ways and servants and expect the blessing?

Christian: I am glad, my brother, that you stood up to this villain so bravely. And I think you are right that he has the wrong name, for he is bold enough to follow us in the streets and attempt to put us to shame before all men, that is, to make us ashamed of that which is good.

Faithful: I think we must pray to our Lord for help in resisting and fighting Shame. For He desires us to be valiant for the truth while we go on our pilgrimage upon the earth.

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:18-19   2 Peter 2:22   Genesis 39:11-13   Proverbs 22:14   Proverbs 5:5   Job 31:1   Ephesians 4:22 1 John 2:16   Romans 7:24   Proverbs 16:18   1 Corinthians 1:26, 1 Corinthians 3:18, Philippians 3:7-8 John 7:48  

Luke 16:15  Mark 8:38   Proverbs 3:35

Thoughts to Consider: A friend like Faithful is a reminder of how important companionship is to our journey.  Not more important, however, than the desire for reaching the Kingdom of God and eternal life – this is why we see Christian needing to run to catch up to his new friend.  Faithful is determined to persevere and will not stop to let, possible another distraction, hold him back any longer. It is funny to see Christian get knocked down when he overtakes Faithful and pride starts to kick in… reminds me of Peter and John running to the tomb, and John needing to write that he got there first 🤣 🤦🏼‍♀️ (Just a little reminder, folks, that the best of men are men at best!)

The extended hand of fellowship that Faithful offers to Christian at that time seals a lifelong friendship.  There is clearly a recognition of a common goal and the shared desire to reach the Celestial City.  They may have started from the same city, but their temperaments and temptations vary widely.  Their journeys have been different – they don’t judge each other, in their newly-found forms of humility they can show grace and love to each other, but still hold each other accountable to their shared King.  There is enough margin in the relationship so that bumps and jostles don’t cause breakage, but instead grow and encourage the bond between them.

God’s children are made in His image, but we’re not pressed cookie-cutter style.  We are formed in the womb to be exactly who He wants us to be, if we let Him.  There is no one else that can take your place – you are irreplaceable, He will leave the 99 just to find you!

The shared grief of other Christians is vital as we walk in a broken world.  As we let His Word do His Work in us, we are transformed and our minds are renewed. Our eyes are opened to see things in a new way. This doesn’t prevent us from seeing the suffering and brokenness of the people around us.  It is both a burden and a blessing to remember (1) only God can change a heart and (2) if God could save me, He can save anybody!  He reminds me that I only have one job to do now – Shine His light.  So, I ask myself every moment of every day… if any of those broken people are watching and wondering about His saving Grace, am I bringing Him honor?  Am I showing just how freeing the Gospel is?

Shame is an interesting character. At the beginning of their conversation, Faithful describes how he tried to talk with Pliable, but he was too ashamed to even look his way. Then towards the end of the conversation, Faithful describes the relentless attack that Shame makes on him, trying to deter him from his faith. Until he realized that Shame was describing what men were like, not what God was like, Faithful was confused; his head was spinning. (SHAME is first noted in Genesis after the serpent deceives Adam and Eve and they realize they are naked and are ashamed and try to cover themselves.) I think we should all remember to say… ‘Shame, depart from me, you are an enemy to my salvation.’