I get to talk to a lot of people as a pastor, and it usually is not because they are coming to me for counseling but rather in passing conversation. I have found it interesting that when a person finds out I am a pastor, they often tell me what they believe and why they do not go to church anymore. One of the more common excuses for not going to church is that the Christians they know who go to church are hypocrites.
Now, there is a certain amount of irony here, but should people stay away from church because of hypocrisy or because they don’t want to be a hypocrite? This is the worst thing you can do. We need to be honest with ourselves. We are all hypocrites to some extent, as no one is perfect. However, this does not excuse hypocrisy but shows us our need for Jesus.
We must understand that when a person truly does become a Christian, it is the start of a relationship where God begins to transform the heart. Those who are indeed children of God will have new convictions over sin they did not have previously and a new desire to please Him because Christ lives in us. We are His. God’s word says that those who trust in Christ are to lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit. He instructed believers to become renewed in the spirit of their mind and to put on the new self that is in the likeness of God. – Ephesians 4:22-24. In other words, it is like changing clothes, taking off the old and putting on the new. It is the process of those old habits being changed to reflect a new heart that has been changed by Jesus Christ.
It does not happen overnight. We cannot expect perfection. However, that does not mean we should not strive to be like Christ. As the Apostle Peter makes clear writing, “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” – 1 Peter 1:14–16. Christ does not command what he does not enable – John 15:1-5.
Those who are truly Christians will have conviction over sin. If they do not, they are not truly Christians or are clouded by their sins.
Finally, we must understand that going to church is not primarily about other people but about being under the instruction of God’s Word and worshiping the Lord together. God will deal with all, including the hypocrite. We need to be concerned with our own soul. It is not man who is the judge, but God. Something that all people should remember in the days we live in as the Apostle Paul warns, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each person according to his deeds…” Romans 2:4–6
Don’t be a hypocrite! See you at church! Service begins at 10:15 AM. Taylor Creek, 21110 244th Ave. S.E., Maple Valley. Find out more at www.taylorcreekchurch.org
