It’s been said that John Bunyan wrestled with the burden of his sin for no less than 18 months before he came to know Jesus Christ as Lord.

This is how he described it, in part, in his well-known allegory called The Pilgrim’s Progress…

“This muddy swamp is the kind of place that cannot be mended. It’s the low place into which the scum and filth that accompanies the conviction of sin run continually. It is therefore called the Swamp of Despondence; for commonly as the sinner is awakened about his lost condition there will rise up in his soul many fears, doubts, and discouraging apprehensions, which all flow together and settle in this place.” (The Pilgrims Progress in Modern English)

Many living around us need to “go through the swamp,” which can only happen when we declare the gospel to them. That’s when the light of God’s Word reveals the darkness of their depraved heart. Only then can they be delivered from the “swamp.”

As we continue to live the gospel in this season of celebrating the coming of the Lord “to save His people from their sins,” let’s ask God to help us be more keenly aware of these opportunities so we will…

“…always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” (1 Peter 3:15)