Pilgrim of Christ

“Pilgrim” is not a status esteemed by the world as important, but it is highly esteemed by God. A Pilgrim is someone who keeps moving, not settling, and not taking much with them. We are called Pilgrims and Sojourners in the word of God because it represents our journey following Jesus and leaving this world behind.  

Jesus never felt contentment with circumstances of this world, never accepted approval and praise from men, never made money His goal, never sought to be comfortable and entertained, and never was discouraged when circumstances changed for the worse. When friends and relatives misunderstood Him and followers left and denied Him, He simply continued on and said I must do “the will of Him Who sent me”. 

There was such resolve, such resoluteness, such determination in the steps of Jesus! He knew where He was going and there was never a detour or distraction!

The world, some friends and relatives, and even some members of your own house are calling for you to “come back to earth” and give up this heavenly pursuit. Start following hard after the Lord and His will for your life and these opposers will surface quickly. Unbelievers and carnal Christians alike will misunderstand your goal, your worldview, and your “ignorance” towards this life. When you start putting less importance on money, food, your house, comfort, retirement, your health, vacations, and the comments and accusations will arise. “You are so heavenly minded that your no earthly good”, “that all sounds good until the money runs out”, and “well you have to eat”. Jesus would say “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me”.

If we start becoming content with this world, then we have given up life as a Pilgrim. When our hearts desire is to stay here and stop journeying to our heavenly home, God is now ashamed to be called our God. He is the God of those whose path is upward. You cannot love God and love money and this world.
The line between worldliness and godliness has become too blurred these days in the eyes of modern Christians who find it difficult to explain what worldliness is. “Everything in moderation” they say, but that is not how Jesus and apostles lived and not what they taught us. There were evils that said have nothing to do with, to flee from and expose the darkness, and live fervently for and serving the Lord.

Oh believer, please realize how precious the traveler is to the Lord! He will direct you, He will help you, He will bring good things into your path, He will make you content and full of joy! Start making tracks and find out how the Lord has prepared, blessed, and established every step you take toward your goal of living for Him and leaving this world behind.

A word of practical advice; once you have set your heart to follow the Lord and leave the world behind, take some action to show it. Be intentional about taking some steps of faith in what you believe the Lord is telling you, even just finding scriptures to obey such as “trust in the Lord with all your heart”, and choose to stop thinking so much of the future. Then take some steps away from this world by choosing to neglect something that was stealing your attention or worrying you, and obeying “do not worry about your life”.

Scriptures

Luke 5:27-28 NKJV 
And He said to him, “Follow Me.” 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.

Colossians 3:1-3 NLT
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. [2] Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. [3] For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Hebrews 11:13-14,16 NKJV
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. [14] For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. [16] But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

James 4:4 NKJV
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Proverbs 15:24 NKJV
The way of life winds upward for the wise, That he may turn away from hell below.

John 4:32-34 NKJV
But He said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” [33] Therefore the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?” [34] Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Job 23:12 NKJV
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.

1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”