Published: December 11, 2025 at 04:20 AM

Tags: books, pilgrims-progress, reading, gospel, christian-life, chapter-5

After all the distractions, detours, and discouragements, Christian finally comes to the place he has been longing for since leaving the City of Destruction, the Wicket Gate.

The Narrow Gate

At the gate, a man named Goodwill appears and, seeing Christian still burdened and afraid, gently pulls him in. It’s a simple but beautiful picture of how willing the Lord is to receive a repentant sinner. Goodwill assures Christian that this is the only path that leads to life, and then directs him onward to the Interpreter’s House, where he will gain further understanding for the journey ahead.

John 10:9 (KJV)

[9] I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Salvation is found only by entering through Christ.