The Church is neither full of hypocrites nor empty of hypocrites
Christian’s can be guilty of all sorts of sins, including the sin of hypocrisy. Though the church may not be full of hypocrites, it is by no means empty of them. Christians are not above pretending to be more righteous than others. Nor is everyone in the church who professes to be a Christian a true believer. There are various forms of hypocrisy and most of them are obvious to some level in the church.
Christ Himself stated the church would grow having a mixture of “tares and wheat” of true believers and false (see Matt. 13:24-30). Some “unbelievers” become church members only, not because they willfully choose to deceive others but because the church had never made it clear to them what a profession of faith consists of. They simply have never heard the Gospel correctly. Or maybe they struggle with certain flaws and know all too well their own shortcomings.
Yet there are those in the church which involve an insincere profession of faith. Some people join the church under false motives. In many communities it is still respectable to be a member of a church. Some people join for social reasons others because they have friends or family who have been members. There are businessmen that preserve membership because it provides contacts for their business relationships. It gives them a certain respect as well, so this is done in a disingenuous manner.
No one can fairly disburse the accusation of a hypocrite and not look at themselves as one too. There are many who say I don’t want to be a Christian because all the hypocrites go to church. This in itself shows that they are even more of a hypocrite then those they criticize.
Businesses are full of hypocrites but the same person who sees an opportunity to make money doesn’t have this stop them do business with these people. People see married couples have their spouses cheat on them, but that doesn’t stop that same person from getting married or staying a confirmed bachelor. TV is filled with hypocrites, liars and cheats. Most of the talk shows glamorize them, but people will still watch TV. Advertisements are hypocritical but they don’t stop buying the products because of it. Some used car salesman can certainly fit the bill for this category yet no one will stop buying cars because of their intense sales rap.
Politicians are some great examples of hypocrisy but we still vote hoping the one we choose will be honest and keep his promises. Examples are not lacking to show the illogic of all this. Hell is filled with hypocrites and those who complain about hypocrisy won’t do a thing to keep themselves from going there and joining them. Job 27:8: “For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul?”
The biggest hypocrite is one who wants us to think he is trying to avoid others who he calls hypocrites but are just like he is. True, the church does have its share of hypocrites, in reality it has a whole lot less than anywhere else. Overall they are at least honest about their shortcomings and admit they are sinners, while others won’t. They are at least open and trying to reform.
The only step one can make from their own hypocrisy is to admit; they like everyone else are not perfect and need the forgiveness the Christ offers. Then they can have the assurance of heaven instead of hell. The fact is there are hypocrites in all walks of life not just in religion. If you let a few hypocrites stop you from becoming a Christian you may well end up spending all eternity with them.
The Church never claimed to be perfect and if you find the perfect church you may not want to join it, because you may ruin it by your hypocrisy. At least be consistent and honest in assessing yourself as you do others.
Till next week,
God Bless.
Rev. Dr. Robert L. Harrison, PhD – pastorrobharrison@gmail.com, @drrobharrison (Twitter), Robert Bob Harrison (Facebook)
Florida West District Elder | Pastor – Open Door Church of God and True Holiness, Inc – www.opendoortrueholinesschurch.org
Church of God & True Holiness, Intl. www.trueholinesschurches.org
Senior Pastor |Founder, True Holiness Worship Ministries, Inc. www.trueholinessworshipministry.com coming soon! – 2800 41st Ave. N, St. Pete
The Gathering of Pastor Member – Chairman, Outreach and Political Action Committee
Chaplain – SCLC of Pinellas
Parent Support for Education Council Executive Board Member
Chaplain – Dept. Juvenile Justice for Circuit 6
