A
Mere Form of Godliness
Hebrews 6:4-6
In these verses the Spirit of God shows us plainly
that there are some people who have what appears to be heavenly gifts who have
no grace in their hearts. Multitudes have religion who do not have Christ. Many
there are who enjoy great experiences who have never experienced grace. Many
have a form of godliness who know nothing of the power of God by which sinners
are born again. These verses speak of people who have experienced much,
professed much, and demonstrated much in religion. Yet, they have no saving
union with Christ. They have faith; but it is a false faith. They have
repentance; but it is a repentance that needs to be repented of. They have
experienced religion; but they have not experienced the grace of God. Beware of
resting your soul upon experiences, gifts, and outward works of religion. To
build your house upon these things is to build upon sand. It is possible to be
ranked with the most spiritual, most gifted, most zealous men and women in the
world, and yet go to hell in the end (Matt. 7:21-23). Is your faith the faith
of God's elect; or is it a false faith?
1.
False
faith may be greatly enlightened and knowledgeable of gospel truth. Judas was.
True faith receives the love of the Truth (2 Thess. 2:10).
2.
False
faith excites the affections, like the stony ground hearers of the parable, and
causes people to spring up like shooting stars, only to fade quickly. True
faith is the abiding, growing gift of God.
3.
False
faith reforms the outward life and causes people to live better before men.
True faith arises from a regenerate heart and causes people to seek the will
and glory of God.
4.
False
faith may speak well of Christ, as the Jews did. True faith loves Christ.
5.
False
faith confesses sins, like King Saul. True faith confesses sin,
like David.
6.
False
faith may humble itself in sackcloth and ashes, like Ahab. True faith humbles
itself before God.
7.
False
faith may repent in terror, like Esau and Judas. True faith repents in
contrition, being convinced of God's way of salvation in Christ (John 16:8-11).
8.
False
faith often performs religious works very diligently. Saul of Tarsus did. True
faith is a faith, which "worketh by love."
9.
False
faith is sometimes very generous and charitable (Ananias and Sapphira). True
faith causes ransomed sinners to be generous, willingly, constrained only by
love and gratitude.
10.
False
faith may tremble at the Word of God, like Felix. True faith trembles and bows.
11.
False
faith often experiences much in religion. True faith trusts no experience, no matter
how great, and looks to Christ alone.
12.
False
faith often enjoys great religious privileges, like Lot's wife. True faith
places no confidence in the flesh.
13.
False
faith may preach, perform miracles, and cast out demons, like Judas. True faith
rejoices in having one's name written in heaven.
14.
False
faith often attains high office in the church, like Diotrephes, and walks with
great preachers, as Demas walked with Paul. True faith is honored to keep the
doors of God's house and walk with Christ.
15.
False
faith may be peaceful and carnally secure, like the five foolish virgins. True
faith presumes nothing, but looks constantly to Christ.