Bunyan_Why Professing 3

Why Professing Christians May Fall Short of Heaven

(Continued)

Now then, if the “faith” that is not saving may have Christ for its object, be wrought by the word, look for justification without works, work men off from the pollutions of the world, and give men tastes of, and joy in the things of another world; if it will help a man to burn for his judgment, and to look for an inheritance in another world; yea, if it will help a man to prepare for it, claim interest in it; and if it can carry great works — many great and glorious works, as far as heaven-gates, then no marvel if abundance of people take this “faith” for the saving faith, and so fall short of heaven thereby. Alas, friends! There are but few that can produce such for repentance; and such faith as yet you see, I have proved even reprobates have had in several ages of the church.

Professing Christians May Mistake Prayer for an Evidence of Salvation.

They that go to heaven are a praying people; but a man that shall not be saved may also pray. Pray! He may pray, pray daily; yea, he may ask of God the ordinances of justice, and may take delight in approaching to God; nay, further, such souls may, as it were, cover the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping and crying out (Isaiah 28:2; Malachi 12:13).

Professing Christians May Mistake Piety in the Church for an Evidence of Salvation.

Do God's people keep holy observances? They who are not his people may keep them also — they may keep fasts often — even twice a-week: “The Pharisee stood, and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust adulterers, or even as this Publican: I fast twice a-week, I give tithes of all that I possess,” (Luke 16:11-12).

Do not mistake a good standing in the church for true saving faith. The church and the best of saints sometimes miss in their judgments about this matter, partly because we cannot infallibly, at all times, distinguish grace that saveth from that which doth but appear to do so; and partly because the church, being commanded to receive those who are weak, are afraid to exclude the least professing Christian, by which means hypocrites creep into the churches. But what saith the scripture? “I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins.” And again, “All the churches shall know that I am he that searches the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works” (Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 17:10; Revelation 2:23).

To this searcher of hearts is the time of infallible discerning reserved, and then you shall see how far grace that is not saving hath gone; and also how few will be saved indeed. The Lord awaken poor sinners by these warnings and cautions!