The Pilgrim’s Journey 

After salvation, sanctification, and the Holy Ghost baptism, what next? This used to be a question that probed my heart in my early days of walking with God. I couldn’t come to terms with the idea that all there was to my life with God was to go to church, stay careful of not letting my white robe get stained, and anticipate the rapture with soberness. Of course, every pilgrim should have that heart posture, but what am I supposed to be doing on earth while “waiting” for the rapture? There is more.

I see a lot of Christians get laid back (like I used to) because they feel they are saved just to make heaven. Well, spoiler alert! That is not the only reason Jesus came to save you. One thing you must note is that your journey as a Christian pilgrim ought to be progressive. I began to understand this in my walk with God after I got intentional about living for Him. It occurred to me that when I eventually reach the end of my journey, God would judge me by my life and my works.  So, it’s not reasonable to just sit and remain in one spot under the guise of “At least I will enter heaven.”

Thankfully, Jesus’ life is a perfect template for us to follow. , Jesus himself did not come to the world to get baptized, get fat in Joseph’s house, then die and go back to meet His Father. Some remarkable events happened between his birth and resurrection. God’s plan and purpose for our journey on earth are also modeled in the lives of the early disciples of Jesus, highlighting the generality and specificity of His plans for us.

As a believer, your journey on earth has two concurrent phases: doing (outward-looking) and becoming (inward-looking).

The Becoming.
I get intrigued whenever I read God’s appraisal of Jesus after he was baptized: “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Mind you, no miracle has been recorded of Jesus before this time. He was even about to start ministry but God was already pleased with him. Amazing, isn’t it?

God saves you with the hope that you will live your life to please Him, and this is not necessarily tied to your works of ministry. It is about your inward life. I feel the urge to “do” something for God too. Let me just go out there to work for Him so He can be pleased. But, as I have seen in Scriptures, pleasing Him starts from your heart.

Your labor in prayer, studying His Word, and other spiritual activities should make you become more like Christ in character and not only in works. But works is also important.

The Doing.
You could also call it “The works”. You are saved to continue the works Jesus started when he was on earth. This is why before Jesus ascended to heaven, he left his disciples with an instruction to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Honestly, I did not like to read this verse of Scripture because it made me feel guilty. But I can’t run from it anymore. You shouldn’t too. Fulfilling the great commission is a general purpose of God for every believer. It is not exclusive to those in the five-fold ministry. The ministry of reconciliation is automatically conferred on you after you get born again.

Also, to the individual believer, God has specific instructions, assignments, and plans for you. Paul and Peter, for example, were both carrying out the instruction to preach, but they weren’t sent to the same people. We also see a diversity of ministry works and expressions among believers and ministers today. As much as we have a general assignment, we will not all fulfill it uniformly. Everyone has a specific part to play. More reason you should always ask God “What is my portion in fulfilling this great commission?”

For me, I have found writing to be one piece in my portion. This is a tool that I use to take the gospel where my feet cannot take me. Find yours too if you haven’t found it.

Finally, dear pilgrim, as you journey, always ask yourself “Am I doing the works of Jesus, and am I becoming more like Christ?

By Peace Olaleye