Guest Editorial

In celebration of Jonathan Edwards’ 300th birthday this month, let him teach us the pilgrim mindset. In September of 1733, he preached a sermon called "The Christian Pilgrim, Or, The True Christian’s Life a Journey Toward Heaven." It was based on Hebrews 11:13-14:

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland.

Let his vision shape yours.

• Pilgrims are not diverted from their aim.

A traveler . . . is not enticed by fine appearances to put off the thought of proceeding. No, but his journey’s end is in his mind. If he meets with comfortable accommodations at an inn, he entertains no thoughts of settling there. He considers that these things are not his own, that he is but a stranger, and when he has refreshed himself, or tarried for a night, he is for going forward (Works, Banner of Truth, p. 243).

• Pilgrims are to hold the things of this world loosely.

So should we desire heaven more than the comforts and enjoyments of this life. . . . Our hearts ought to be loose to these things, as that of a man on a journey, that we may as cheerfully part with them whenever God calls (p. 243).

• Pilgrims become like what they hope to attain.

We should be endeavoring to come nearer to heaven, in being more heavenly, becoming more and more like the inhabitants of heaven in respect of holiness and conformity to God, the knowledge of God and Christ, in clear views of the glory of God, the beauty of Christ, and the excellency of divine things, as we come nearer to the beatific vision.—We should labor to be continually growing in divine love—that this may be an increasing flame in our hearts, till they ascend wholly in this flame (p. 244).

• Pilgrims will not be satisfied with anything less than God.

God is the highest good of the reasonable creature, and the enjoyment of him is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied.—To go to heaven fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows. But the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean. . . . Why should we labor for, or set our hearts on anything else, but that which is our proper end, and true happiness (p. 244)?

• Pilgrims are not grieved by their arrival at the journey’s end.

To spend our lives so as to be only a journeying towards heaven, is the way to be free from bondage and to have the prospect and forethought of death comfortable. Does the traveler think of his journey’s end with fear and terror? Is it terrible to him to think that he has almost got to his journey’s end? Were the children of Israel sorry after forty years’ travel in the wilderness, when they had almost got to Canaan (p. 246)?

• Pilgrims ponder what they pursue.

Labor to be much acquainted with heaven.—If you are not acquainted with it, you will not be likely to spend your life as a journey thither. You will not be sensible of its worth, nor will you long for it. Unless you are much conversant in your mind with a better good, it will be exceeding difficult to you to have your hearts loose from these things, to use them only in subordination to something else, and be ready to part with them for the sake of that better good.—Labor therefore to obtain a realizing sense of a heavenly world, to get a firm belief of its reality, and to be very much conversant with it in your thoughts (p. 246).

• Pilgrims travel together (in small groups)

Let Christians help one another in going this journey. . . . Company is very desirable in a journey, but in none so much as this.—Let them go united and not fall out by the way, which would be to hinder one another, but use all means they can to help each other up the hill.—This would ensure a more successful traveling and a more joyful meeting at their Father’s house in glory (p. 246).

John Piper is pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minn. and founder of Desiring God Ministries. Used with permission.