Things Which Look Like Grace, but Are Not Grace

    Good nature. Many people are naturally ingenuous, kind, free, bountiful. But this is not grace. It is said of Rehoboam that he was "tender-hearted;" therefore led by the counsel of the "young men" to his ruin. Good nature is born with us, which grace is not.

    Civil behaviour. We may be easily mistaken in taking this for grace.

    External profession. Such as worship God with his people in all ordinances we judge with charity; God only with infallibility.

    To be of a party. This is not grace. Some of old said, "I am of Paul: I of Apollos," etc. But Paul calls them all "carnal."

    Knowledge in the things of God, and of our souls, and of the Scriptures. A man may have his head full of knowledge, and not have a grain of grace. The devils have a great deal of knowledge, and are devils still. Our Lord told one of the scribes who answered discreetly, he was "not far from the kingdom of God." But he was not in it.

    Conviction. A man may have a convinced conscience, and yet no grace. Ahab humbled himself. Judas repented. A man may go to hell loaded with convictions.

    Good purposes and promises. These are like buds and blossoms, which, oftentimes, a frosty night nips, and they die.

    Reformation is not grace. A man may leave off old sins, and do some duties, and yet be a stranger to the good work. Herod heard John "gladly," and did many things. Yet a Herod still.

    These are all good things—except being of a party—but not the good thing.