How is your Christian pilgrimage?

Posted on Sept. 3, 2025, 7:08 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode. The Gospel Study Centre

Christian pilgrimage is the believer’s journey of faith, which goal is to receive the heavenly prize that God’s provided through Jesus Christ. (Phil.3:14) The journey begins from when one receives the conviction of the Holy Spirit which enables one to realise that he is in bondage of sin. He realizes further that he needs the available grace of God for the forgiveness of his sin. The person therefore repents of his sin, get baptized in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts.2:38) Christian journey is synonymous to the journey of the Israelites from the land of Egypt to the promised land. God delivered the Israelites from the bondage of the Egyptians and was always with them, leading them to the promised land. (Ex.13:20-22) In the same manner, Christian journey is being guided by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which is the presence of Jesus Christ in a person, directing his daily affairs with the goal of reconciling the person to Himself. The Christian pilgrimage experience begins with knowing the way to the destination and how much one cherishes the destination. Concerning the way, Jesus says, “I am the Way, the truth, and the life, No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John.14:6) It means it is through Jesus Christ that one can have a good experience of the journey. Apostle Paul applauded the brethren in Colosse for their hope in the hope laid down for them in heaven, he says, “Because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of truth of the gospel,” (Col.1:5) The brethren in Colosse were full of hope to get to heaven and enjoy the goodies laid down for them as shown in their faith in Christ and their love for all the saints. Jesus Christ is the way, and the Word of truth (Bible) gives the required hope to have a good pilgrimage experience. Unlike the Israelites who lacked faith but focused on complain and fear which caused many of them to die in the journey to the promised land (Numbers.13-14) Christians should focus on Jesus Christ in their pilgrimage by the power of the Holy Spirit. The scriptures say, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising at the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Heb.12:2) Having faith in Jesus helps believer to enjoy the journey and endure whatever pain that may come along the journey, while the word of truth gives the assurance of the joy that is waiting at the destination. Brethren, how is your Christian pilgrimage? Are you looking unto Jesus or you are looking at the world situation? Looking at the world situation will cause you to doubt, make you to complain and create fear in you. Looking unto Jesus means to direct all attention to Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and the life. It enables you to flee from lust and to pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace. It also helps you to pursue intimacy with God. The Christian journey requires some personal responsibilities of individuals. The responsibilities among many others, include following the way of the truth. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus Christ is the one that can lead one aright in one’s pilgrimage journey, because He had once undergone the journey, so He has sufficient experience of the journey. Another responsibility is to continually study the word of God. The word of God rightly directs one’s life and guides one’s character to be at peace with God and with others. God’s word does not make one to stumble even to the challenges of this world. Prayer is also required in the journey. The Bible says, pray without season. Prayers that are laced with the word and promises of God, the one that is based on true faith in Jesus Christ and made in the name of Jesus Christ. It is through Jesus Christ that one can boldly approach the throne of God for help. Another responsibility which is not so popular but very rewarding is evangelism. It means to correct the unbelievers in humility, if God perhaps will grant them repentance so that they may know the truth. (2 Tim. 2:22, 25) Above all, to continually live a Christ-like life and serve members of the body of Christ. “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” (Rom. 5:10) Jesus finished His pilgrimage experience victorious and presently sitting at right hand side of God the Father in Heaven. May we receive the strength and the encouragement to persevere in our Christian pilgrimage by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may also finish our journey victorious in Jesus mighty name. Amen Evangelism Spreading the good news message is part of believer’s pilgrimage experience, tell someone about Jesus Christ today. Rev. Shobayo Kayode The Gospel Study Centre