John Bunyan: Why Professing Christians May Fall Short of Heaven

About the Author

John Bunyan (1628-1688) was one of the greatest preachers of the seventeenth century, and despite his humble beginnings and lack of formal education, has also been called "the most wonderfully gifted spiritual writer since the days of the Apostles." Next to the Bible, his Pilgrims Progress has been translated into more languages, and has passed through more editions (about four hundred), than any other book in the world. That book, along with his Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and Holy War, are the records of his own deep spiritual experience, in which a profane and sinful man after a number of false conversions was wonderfully tranformed. He was later asked to preach to a small congregation, and after preaching to the brethren five years, and working at his trade (as a "tinker," one who repaired pots and pans) for the support of himself and family, he was arrested and thrown into Bedford jail twelve years (1660-1672) for "teaching men to worship God contrary to the law." During those years he continued to write, his only books being the Bible and Concordance, and Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He would have been released any day if he had promised not to preach; but he felt called of God to the work of the ministry, and he continually replied to his jailors, "If you release me today, I will preach again tomorrow." The renowned John Owen said that he would gladly relinquish all his learning for the tinker's preaching abilities.

Why Professing Christians
May Fall Short of Heaven

Adapted from The Strait [or Narrow] Gate

by John Bunyan

"Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

Dear Courteous Reader,

I do not now pipe, but mourn; and it will be well for thee if thou canst graciously lament (Matthew 11:17). Some (say they) make the gate of heaven too wide, and some make it too narrow; for my part, I have here presented thee with as true a measure of it as I can, by the word of God. Read me, therefore, yea, read me, and compare me with the Bible; and if thou findest my doctrine and that book of God concur, embrace it, as thou wilt answer the contrary in the day of judgment.

This awakening work (if God will make it so) was prepared for thee: if there be need, and it wounds, get healing by blood: if it disquiets, get peace by blood: if it takes away all the religion thou hast, because it was nothing (for this book is not prepared to take away true grace from any), then buy of Christ gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness doth not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayst see (Revelation 3:18). Self-flatteries, self-deceivings, are easy and pleasant, but damnable. The Lord give thee an heart to judge right of thyself, right of this book, and so prepare for eternity, that thou mayst not only expect entrance, but be received into the kingdom of Christ and of God. Amen.

So prays thy friend,

John Bunyan

Professing Christians May Mistake
False Repentance for the True.

There Is An Awakening About One's Spiritual Condition That Will Not Save. Do they who shall be saved have natural awakenings about their condition? So have they that shall be damned. They who will never go to heaven may see much of sin, and of the wrath of God due thereto. Cain and Judas had this, and yet they came short of the kingdom (Genesis 4.; Matthew 27:4). The saved have convictions, in order to their eternal life; but their convictions doth drive them sincerely to Christ; the convictions of the unsaved doth drive them to the law, and the law to desperation at last.

There Is A "Repentance" That Will Not Save. It is a "repentance" to be repented of; in contrast to a repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of (2 Corinthians 7:10). Yet so great a similitude and likeness there is between the one and the other, that most times the wrong is taken for the right, and through this mistake, professors perish.

--In saving repentance there will be an acknowledgment of sin; and one that hath the other "repentance" may acknowledge his sins also (Matthew 27:4).

--In saving repentance there is a crying out under sin; but one that hath the other "repentance" may cry out under sin also (Genesis 4:13).

--In saving repentance there will be humiliation for sin; and one that hath the other "repentance" may humble himself also (1 Kings 21:29).

--Saving repentance is attended with self-loathing; but he that hath the other "repentance" may have loathing of sin too (2 Peter 2:22). A loathing of sin merely because it is sin, he will not have; but a loathing of sin because it is offensive to him, he may have. The dog doth not loath that which troubleth his stomach merely because it is there, but because it troubleth him; when it has done troubling of him, he can turn to it again, and lick it up as before it troubled him.

--Saving repentance is attended with prayers and tears; but he that hath none but the other "repentance" may have prayers and tears also (Genesis 27:34, 35; Hebrews 12:14-16).

--In saving repentance, there is fear and reverence of the word and the ministers that bring it; but this may be also where there is none but the "repentance" that is not saving; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and observed him; when he heard him, he "did many things, and heard him gladly" (Mark 6:20).

--Saving repentance makes a man's heart very tender of doing any thing against the word of God. Balaam could say, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord" (Numbers 24:13).

Behold, then, how far a man may go in "repentance," and yet be short of that which is called "Repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of." He may be awakened; He may acknowledge his sin; He may cry out under the burden of sin; He may have humility for it; He may loath it; May have prayers and tears against it; May delight to do many things of God; May be afraid of sinning against him; and after all this may perish for lack of saving repentance.

Professing Christians May Mistake
False Faith for the True.

Have they that shall be saved, faith? Why, they that shall not be saved may have "faith" also; yes, a "faith" in many things so much like the faith that saveth, that they can hardly be distinguished (though they differ both in root and branch). To come to particulars:

--Saving faith hath Christ for its object, and so may the "faith" that is not saving. Those very Jews of whom it is said they "believed" on Christ, Christ tells them, and that after their "believing," "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do" (John 8:30-44).

--Saving faith is wrought by the word of God, and so may the "faith" be that is not saving (Luke 8:13).

--Saving faith looks for justification without works, and so may a "faith" do that is not saving (James 2:18).

--Saving faith will sanctify and purify the heart, and the "faith" that is not saving may also work a man off from the pollutions of the world, as it did Judas, Demas, and others (2 Peter 2).

--Saving faith will give a man tastes of the world to come, and also joy by those tastes, and so will the "faith" do that is not saving (Hebrews 6:4, 5; Luke 8:13).

--Saving faith will help a man to give his body to be burned, if called thereto for his religion, and so will the "faith" do that is not saving (1 Corinthians 13:1-5).

--Saving faith will help a man to look for an inheritance in the world to come, and that may the "faith" do that is not saving: "All those virgins took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom," (Matthew 25:1).

--Saving faith will not only make a man look for, but prepare to meet the bridegroom, and so may the "faith" do that is not saving: "Then all these virgins arose and trimmed their lamps," (Matthew 25:7).

--Saving faith will make a man look for an interest in the kingdom of heaven with confidence, and the "faith" that is not saving will even demand entrance of the Lord: "Lord, Lord, open unto us," (Matthew 25:11).

--Saving faith will have good works follow it into heaven, and the "faith" that is not saving may have great works follow it, as far as to heaven-gates: "Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done wondrous works," (Matthew 7:22).

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.

Third, 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).

Fourth, 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!



	About the Author John Bunyan (1628-1688) was one of the greatest preachers of the seventeenth century, and despite his humble beginnings and lack of formal education, has also been called "the most wonderfully gifted spiritual writer since the days of the Apostles." Next to the Bible, his Pilgrims Progress has been translated into more languages, and has passed through more editions (about four hundred), than any other book in the world. That book, along with his Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners and Holy War, are the records of his own deep spiritual experience, in which a profane and sinful man after a number of false conversions was wonderfully tranformed. He was later asked to preach to a small congregation, and after preaching to the brethren five years, and working at his trade (as a "tinker," one who repaired pots and pans) for the support of himself and family, he was arrested and thrown into Bedford jail twelve years (1660-1672) for "teaching men to worship God contrary to the law." During those years he continued to write, his only books being the Bible and Concordance, and Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He would have been released any day if he had promised not to preach; but he felt called of God to the work of the ministry, and he continually replied to his jailors, "If you release me today, I will preach again tomorrow." The renowned John Owen said that he would gladly relinquish all his learning for the tinker's preaching abilities. Why Professing Christians May Fall Short of Heaven Adapted from The Strait [or Narrow] Gate by John Bunyan "Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." (Matthew 7:13-14) Dear Courteous Reader, I do not now pipe, but mourn; and it will be well for thee if thou canst graciously lament (Matthew 11:17). Some (say they) make the gate of heaven too wide, and some make it too narrow; for my part, I have here presented thee with as true a measure of it as I can, by the word of God. Read me, therefore, yea, read me, and compare me with the Bible; and if thou findest my doctrine and that book of God concur, embrace it, as thou wilt answer the contrary in the day of judgment. This awakening work (if God will make it so) was prepared for thee: if there be need, and it wounds, get healing by blood: if it disquiets, get peace by blood: if it takes away all the religion thou hast, because it was nothing (for this book is not prepared to take away true grace from any), then buy of Christ gold tried in the fire, that thou mayst be rich, and white raiment, that thou mayst be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness doth not appear, and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayst see (Revelation 3:18). Self-flatteries, self-deceivings, are easy and pleasant, but damnable. The Lord give thee an heart to judge right of thyself, right of this book, and so prepare for eternity, that thou mayst not only expect entrance, but be received into the kingdom of Christ and of God. Amen. So prays thy friend, John Bunyan Professing Christians May Mistake False Repentance for the True. There Is An Awakening About One's Spiritual Condition That Will Not Save. Do they who shall be saved have natural awakenings about their condition? So have they that shall be damned. They who will never go to heaven may see much of sin, and of the wrath of God due thereto. Cain and Judas had this, and yet they came short of the kingdom (Genesis 4.; Matthew 27:4). The saved have convictions, in order to their eternal life; but their convictions doth drive them sincerely to Christ; the convictions of the unsaved doth drive them to the law, and the law to desperation at last. There Is A "Repentance" That Will Not Save. It is a "repentance" to be repented of; in contrast to a repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of (2 Corinthians 7:10). Yet so great a similitude and likeness there is between the one and the other, that most times the wrong is taken for the right, and through this mistake, professors perish. --In saving repentance there will be an acknowledgment of sin; and one that hath the other "repentance" may acknowledge his sins also (Matthew 27:4). --In saving repentance there is a crying out under sin; but one that hath the other "repentance" may cry out under sin also (Genesis 4:13). --In saving repentance there will be humiliation for sin; and one that hath the other "repentance" may humble himself also (1 Kings 21:29). --Saving repentance is attended with self-loathing; but he that hath the other "repentance" may have loathing of sin too (2 Peter 2:22). A loathing of sin merely because it is sin, he will not have; but a loathing of sin because it is offensive to him, he may have. The dog doth not loath that which troubleth his stomach merely because it is there, but because it troubleth him; when it has done troubling of him, he can turn to it again, and lick it up as before it troubled him. --Saving repentance is attended with prayers and tears; but he that hath none but the other "repentance" may have prayers and tears also (Genesis 27:34, 35; Hebrews 12:14-16). --In saving repentance, there is fear and reverence of the word and the ministers that bring it; but this may be also where there is none but the "repentance" that is not saving; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy, and observed him; when he heard him, he "did many things, and heard him gladly" (Mark 6:20). --Saving repentance makes a man's heart very tender of doing any thing against the word of God. Balaam could say, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord" (Numbers 24:13). Behold, then, how far a man may go in "repentance," and yet be short of that which is called "Repentance unto salvation, not to be repented of." He may be awakened; He may acknowledge his sin; He may cry out under the burden of sin; He may have humility for it; He may loath it; May have prayers and tears against it; May delight to do many things of God; May be afraid of sinning against him; and after all this may perish for lack of saving repentance. Professing Christians May Mistake False Faith for the True. Have they that shall be saved, faith? Why, they that shall not be saved may have "faith" also; yes, a "faith" in many things so much like the faith that saveth, that they can hardly be distinguished (though they differ both in root and branch). To come to particulars: --Saving faith hath Christ for its object, and so may the "faith" that is not saving. Those very Jews of whom it is said they "believed" on Christ, Christ tells them, and that after their "believing," "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do" (John 8:30-44). --Saving faith is wrought by the word of God, and so may the "faith" be that is not saving (Luke 8:13). --Saving faith looks for justification without works, and so may a "faith" do that is not saving (James 2:18). --Saving faith will sanctify and purify the heart, and the "faith" that is not saving may also work a man off from the pollutions of the world, as it did Judas, Demas, and others (2 Peter 2). --Saving faith will give a man tastes of the world to come, and also joy by those tastes, and so will the "faith" do that is not saving (Hebrews 6:4, 5; Luke 8:13). --Saving faith will help a man to give his body to be burned, if called thereto for his religion, and so will the "faith" do that is not saving (1 Corinthians 13:1-5). --Saving faith will help a man to look for an inheritance in the world to come, and that may the "faith" do that is not saving: "All those virgins took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom," (Matthew 25:1). --Saving faith will not only make a man look for, but prepare to meet the bridegroom, and so may the "faith" do that is not saving: "Then all these virgins arose and trimmed their lamps," (Matthew 25:7). --Saving faith will make a man look for an interest in the kingdom of heaven with confidence, and the "faith" that is not saving will even demand entrance of the Lord: "Lord, Lord, open unto us," (Matthew 25:11). --Saving faith will have good works follow it into heaven, and the "faith" that is not saving may have great works follow it, as far as to heaven-gates: "Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done wondrous works," (Matthew 7:22). 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. Third, 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). Fourth, 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!