Introduction:
It is possible that all Christians are hypocrites (I do know some
wonderful genuine Christians). But let’s go a step further. Everyone is
a hypocrite. Of course some more than others. We all set higher
standards for other people than what we attain in our own lives and we
judge them on their failures, often overlooking how we ourselves fail or
used to fail in that particular area. Funny how blinkered we get when
pointing the accusing finger.
A woman was brought to Jesus, having been caught in adultery with
the crowd calling for her to be stoned. The first question that springs
to mind is, “Where was the man she was caught with?” Now Jesus - God the
Son - being perfect, had more right than anyone to accuse and condemn
her. Instead he said “Let him who has never sinned throw the first
stone.” When the crowd had dispersed, the woman was left alone with
Jesus. Surely he would tell her off. Instead he said “Does no one
condemn you? Neither do I, go and don’t sin again.” God doesn’t want to
punish us, but he does want us to live right.
And this is where Christians should be doing their utmost to live
and do what is right. They should be setting an example to others of the
love and holiness of God in their lives. However, they are not perfect
and will get things wrong but as long as they are trying to get it
right, God will be forgiving which is good news for all. The Christians
who live right and care for others might get laughed at by the media and
a few other people, but they will be respected, even by those who mock.
Not so the next group.
These are Christians (yes real Christians) who are living in a way
very far removed from the way God would want them to. They say “God
loves me and will forgive me”, and carry on as if they have never been
born again. God is appalled at how some Christians live – using and
abusing. God himself will call them “Hypocrites.”
One further group are those who call themselves Christians but
don’t know and have never known Jesus Christ, neither do they want to.
They live and do exactly as they want and then bring the name Christian
out if and when it suits them. Please don’t be fooled by them.
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