Hypocrisy - our greatest problem?----------------------Here is the argument: Be no longer hypocrites.
In truth, I feel a little hypocritical writing this. I know I have been guilty of hypocrisy myself, and no doubt will face it again at some point - and I am a Christian. But nonetheless, I say again: Be no longer hypocrites.
For how many times have people used “hypocrisy” as their basic argument for avoiding God and for not taking his church seriously?
How many times has it been said: “I don’t go to church; the church is full of hypocrites!”?
And when faced with such an argument, there are only a number of ways to respond. (Incidentally if you are not a Christian as yet - then welcome to our site! – read on, you may find the following illuminating):
(1) The first option is to slink away in defeat, wishing against hope you can change the topic. How many have done that? I for one have.
(2) Another option is to attack the idea outright. To argue for the absolute lack of hypocrisy in you own church (and for that matter against all hypocrisy in all the churches that your antagonist has ever attended). An uphill battle no doubt. But also one I have tried (Foolish boy).
(3) A third option involves entertaining the idea that perhaps there may be some truth to the notion. And then, to remind your friend that she is herself guilty of the same. It goes like this: Argument: “The church is full of hypocrites!” Answer: “That’s not true, there’s still room for you as well!”
Perhaps this is the best of the three responses so far. It points to the fact that Christians claim they have been forgiven, not perfected. It opens the door to talk about how Christians can be assured they have received forgiveness. And maybe most importantly, it allows the conversation to continue.
But I wonder if God isn’t just a little unhappy with it all. And so I am suggesting a fourth option, a slightly radical option:
(4) Be no longer hypocrites. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another. Someone who is two-faced. Someone duplicitous. And your friend is basically saying: “Christians are on about being good but they behave badly”. So I say to you the way to answer the charge is: be good.
Now I fear I may be misunderstood by some, so I will make a few points for clarity’s sake:
First, Christians are not saved by being good but by God’s work for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Second, because salvation is a gift, not something achieved by us, some have then erroneously concluded that Christians can behave however they want. (This is called ‘cheap grace’ and it mocks the very nature of God). Third, what I am arguing for is nothing short of what God himself demands of his people - and what Jesus, Peter and Paul specifically tie to reaching the outside world for Christ.
God commands his saved people, “Be holy for I am holy”. (Lev 11:44,45; 1 Peter 1:15). Likewise, Jesus says, “Love one another”, and then argues with a view to the outsider: “For then all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another”. (John 13:34-35). Peter says: “Live such good lives that though the world accuses you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and come to glorify God at his return” (1 Peter 2:15). Then he says: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15). Finally, Paul says: “Be wise how you act to outsiders… let your conversation be full of grace so you may know how to answer everyone.”
The focus is the world, the outsider, the not yet Christian. The idea is: be good for the world will see and be attracted. So I say again: be not hypocrites, be good, and obviously so.
Heed the warning of Peter: “Therefore rid yourself of all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind” (1 Peter 2:1). Heed that of James: “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins”. (James 4:17). Heed these warnings, and do it as a matter of urgency, for you do not want to be a hindrance to the eternal destiny of those around us presently lost. To reach the world for Christ, to grow God’s kingdom, to help people avoid the path to hell – be good, be not hypocrites.
[Jens Norved, www.creekrdpc.org]
Here is the argument: Be no longer hypocrites.
In truth, I feel a little hypocritical writing this. I know I have been guilty of hypocrisy myself, and no doubt will face it again at some point - and I am a Christian. But nonetheless, I say again: Be no longer hypocrites.
For how many times have people used “hypocrisy” as their basic argument for avoiding God and for not taking his church seriously?
How many times has it been said: “I don’t go to church; the church is full of hypocrites!”?
And when faced with such an argument, there are only a number of ways to respond. (Incidentally if you are not a Christian as yet - then welcome to our site! – read on, you may find the following illuminating):
(1) The first option is to slink away in defeat, wishing against hope you can change the topic. How many have done that? I for one have.
(2) Another option is to attack the idea outright. To argue for the absolute lack of hypocrisy in you own church (and for that matter against all hypocrisy in all the churches that your antagonist has ever attended). An uphill battle no doubt. But also one I have tried (Foolish boy).
(3) A third option involves entertaining the idea that perhaps there may be some truth to the notion. And then, to remind your friend that she is herself guilty of the same. It goes like this: Argument: “The church is full of hypocrites!” Answer: “That’s not true, there’s still room for you as well!”
Perhaps this is the best of the three responses so far. It points to the fact that Christians claim they have been forgiven, not perfected. It opens the door to talk about how Christians can be assured they have received forgiveness. And maybe most importantly, it allows the conversation to continue.
But I wonder if God isn’t just a little unhappy with it all. And so I am suggesting a fourth option, a slightly radical option:
(4) Be no longer hypocrites. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another. Someone who is two-faced. Someone duplicitous. And your friend is basically saying: “Christians are on about being good but they behave badly”. So I say to you the way to answer the charge is: be good.
Now I fear I may be misunderstood by some, so I will make a few points for clarity’s sake:
First, Christians are not saved by being good but by God’s work for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Second, because salvation is a gift, not something achieved by us, some have then erroneously concluded that Christians can behave however they want. (This is called ‘cheap grace’ and it mocks the very nature of God). Third, what I am arguing for is nothing short of what God himself demands of his people - and what Jesus, Peter and Paul specifically tie to reaching the outside world for Christ.
God commands his saved people, “Be holy for I am holy”. (Lev 11:44,45; 1 Peter 1:15). Likewise, Jesus says, “Love one another”, and then argues with a view to the outsider: “For then all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another”. (John 13:34-35). Peter says: “Live such good lives that though the world accuses you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and come to glorify God at his return” (1 Peter 2:15). Then he says: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15). Finally, Paul says: “Be wise how you act to outsiders… let your conversation be full of grace so you may know how to answer everyone.”
The focus is the world, the outsider, the not yet Christian. The idea is: be good for the world will see and be attracted. So I say again: be not hypocrites, be good, and obviously so.
Heed the warning of Peter: “Therefore rid yourself of all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind” (1 Peter 2:1). Heed that of James: “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins”. (James 4:17). Heed these warnings, and do it as a matter of urgency, for you do not want to be a hindrance to the eternal destiny of those around us presently lost. To reach the world for Christ, to grow God’s kingdom, to help people avoid the path to hell – be good, be not hypocrites.
[Jens Norved, www.creekrdpc.org]
In truth, I feel a little hypocritical writing this. I know I have been guilty of hypocrisy myself, and no doubt will face it again at some point - and I am a Christian. But nonetheless, I say again: Be no longer hypocrites.
For how many times have people used “hypocrisy” as their basic argument for avoiding God and for not taking his church seriously?
How many times has it been said: “I don’t go to church; the church is full of hypocrites!”?
And when faced with such an argument, there are only a number of ways to respond. (Incidentally if you are not a Christian as yet - then welcome to our site! – read on, you may find the following illuminating):
(1) The first option is to slink away in defeat, wishing against hope you can change the topic. How many have done that? I for one have.
(2) Another option is to attack the idea outright. To argue for the absolute lack of hypocrisy in you own church (and for that matter against all hypocrisy in all the churches that your antagonist has ever attended). An uphill battle no doubt. But also one I have tried (Foolish boy).
(3) A third option involves entertaining the idea that perhaps there may be some truth to the notion. And then, to remind your friend that she is herself guilty of the same. It goes like this: Argument: “The church is full of hypocrites!” Answer: “That’s not true, there’s still room for you as well!”
Perhaps this is the best of the three responses so far. It points to the fact that Christians claim they have been forgiven, not perfected. It opens the door to talk about how Christians can be assured they have received forgiveness. And maybe most importantly, it allows the conversation to continue.
But I wonder if God isn’t just a little unhappy with it all. And so I am suggesting a fourth option, a slightly radical option:
(4) Be no longer hypocrites. A hypocrite is someone who says one thing and does another. Someone who is two-faced. Someone duplicitous. And your friend is basically saying: “Christians are on about being good but they behave badly”. So I say to you the way to answer the charge is: be good.
Now I fear I may be misunderstood by some, so I will make a few points for clarity’s sake:
First, Christians are not saved by being good but by God’s work for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Second, because salvation is a gift, not something achieved by us, some have then erroneously concluded that Christians can behave however they want. (This is called ‘cheap grace’ and it mocks the very nature of God). Third, what I am arguing for is nothing short of what God himself demands of his people - and what Jesus, Peter and Paul specifically tie to reaching the outside world for Christ.
God commands his saved people, “Be holy for I am holy”. (Lev 11:44,45; 1 Peter 1:15). Likewise, Jesus says, “Love one another”, and then argues with a view to the outsider: “For then all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another”. (John 13:34-35). Peter says: “Live such good lives that though the world accuses you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and come to glorify God at his return” (1 Peter 2:15). Then he says: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15). Finally, Paul says: “Be wise how you act to outsiders… let your conversation be full of grace so you may know how to answer everyone.”
The focus is the world, the outsider, the not yet Christian. The idea is: be good for the world will see and be attracted. So I say again: be not hypocrites, be good, and obviously so.
Heed the warning of Peter: “Therefore rid yourself of all deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander of every kind” (1 Peter 2:1). Heed that of James: “Anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it sins”. (James 4:17). Heed these warnings, and do it as a matter of urgency, for you do not want to be a hindrance to the eternal destiny of those around us presently lost. To reach the world for Christ, to grow God’s kingdom, to help people avoid the path to hell – be good, be not hypocrites.
[Jens Norved, www.creekrdpc.org]