A false faith can do many
things and produce many things, which make it hard to detect. A false faith can
experience deep conviction for sin, like Judas. It can tremble at the Word of
God, like Felix. It can repent, like Esau. It can obtain high office in the
church, like Judas, Diotrephes, and Demas. A false faith can speak well of
Christ, "Never a man spake like this man." It can experience deep
religious emotions, like the stony-ground hearers. It can diligently perform
religious works, like the Pharisees. A false faith can even preach the gospel,
perform miracles, cast out demons, and persevere to the end (Matt.
1. A
FALSE FAITH CAN NEVER PRODUCE A HEART BROKEN OVER SIN (Ps. 51).
It can offer sacrifices to try
to appease God for sin. It can do good works to try to make up for sin. It can
even confess sin. But, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A
broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." Such brokenness
and humility, because of inbred sin, a false faith cannot produce.
2. A FALSE FAITH CANNOT REST IN CHRIST ALONE AS THE WAY,
THE TRUTH: AND THE LIFE (I Cor.
3. A
FALSE FAITH CANNOT AND WILL NOT SUBMIT TO THE LORDSHIP OF CHRIST (Matt.