Christians are hypocrites, so I don't go to church (anymore)

I hear that a lot, we probably all hear it now and again. I was talking after church to a couple who ran into an old friend who no longer attends church. The friend apparently had a bad experience at church prompting them to “sort of” turn to Buddhism, using the old hypocrite excuse. When I hear someone use the “H” word to describe Christians I always say “Amen.” They look at me funny and ask what I mean.

A Hypocrite, according to the dictionary definition, is a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not truly hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives. This definition rarely describes what this particular women, or most others who use this excuse, actually mean. When one accuses a Christian, or the Christian church, of being hypocrites or hypocritical, they usually mean to say that they encountered a person who’s actions or words were in conflict with the offendees understanding of what Christ would have the offender do or say. Setting aside the shear egotistical lunacy of this proposition just for a moment, the Bible is clear on this very issue … Every man is a sinner, a hypocrite. To that I say “Amen.” To expect that another will conform exactly to what we believe they should be is beyond the pale. Reminding these people of Jesus' words to Peter when Peter was complaining about John “… as for you Peter, you follow me…” is a recipe for a blank stare.

The only people capable of not being hypocrites are those with no real standards or codes. They make up the rules to suit their particular belief and therefore do not ever violate these codes, because after all, they make, change, and interpret these codes and standards as needed to avoid being a hypocrite. Of course, that is pretty close to the actual dictionary definition of hypocritical, but I digress. The Bible says of these people they “do what is right in their own eyes,” and this phrase is not used in a complementary manor. “There is a road that seems right to a man but the end thereof is destruction.” This should be enough said, but rare is the person who can apply good advice to themselves before castigating others with it. I think I read something once about removing the plank from one’s own eye first.

Christians are, in fact, hypocrites, Jesus agreed by saying every man is a sinner. Our personal experiences confirm it, both in our own lives and in the lives of others. Not that we need to keep track of anyone else. Rehab lied directly to the King’s soldiers about the location of the spies and found herself in the hall of faith for her efforts. Paul in Romans chapter 7 calls himself a wretched man and acknowledges the sin he does not want to do, he does. Indeed, being a hypocrite is as much a part of a Christian walk as attending church. It is the very reason that Jesus came and died on a cross. To wash away our sins and make us white as snow, and enable us to enter before our Father in Heaven. If any Christian, at any time in history, was perfect, and is not a hypocrite, then he would have a seat directly next to Jesus in Heaven. He could rightly to say to Jesus “… move over, there are two of us now.” Jesus would not have needed to die to pay for this person, as he would have made it to Heaven on his own.

Is that really what people mean when they complain about Christians being hypocrites? That they themselves are perfect? I am certain they do not realize this is what they are indirectly saying. I doubt if many would profess to be perfect. I do not say this to excuse the many, many, many sins and poor character we Christians all too often exhibit. Every committed follower of Christ should make every effort to “walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ.” We should be ready and eager to seek forgiveness from God and apologize to any one harmed when we fail in that walk. We should repent as often as is necessary, and be continually watching our tongue and actions. We should proceed with our eyes wide open, seeking to never allow a stumbling block to be cast in the path of another believer or new believer. We should live understanding that the world is watching and we can chose to bring honor or disgrace to our Lord a thousand times a day. We are not yet perfect, forgiven yes, but not perfect.

Those who dine regularly on the meat of the Word of God need to take special care, so as not to stumble those still drinking the milk of the Word. It is a safe bet that anyone who uses the “H” word is yet only drinking the milk of the Word, or at the very least has small faith, if any true faith at all. But to this condition I also say “Amen,” for this reason. In the life of a person ready to quit the church because they encountered, or believed they may have encountered, a hypocrite, it provides a wide open door to share the goodness and fullness of the Lord. We have all experienced those brothers and sisters in the Lord who act or say something hurtful, who for a moment act like the old sinful man. While this is never good, we do know that God’s is in the habit of exchanging beauty for ashes. Drive through that wide open door joyfully now, being able to clearly articulate why Christ came. This doubt, or perceived injury, is a real event in someone’s life and Satan seeks to take advantage of it. He will try to drive a wedge between the milk drinking believer and Jesus Christ. But the alert meat eating believer, having heard the “H” word, now sees a door the size of a Wal-Mart superstore to drive a truck through containing the truth of God’s Word, our need for it, and our thankfulness to have been saved by it. We, too, are hypocrites and can find no other way to salvation but through the exceedingly great and loving offer by Jesus to take away our hypocrisy and allow us to be washed clean and white, and to be made ready for the wedding supper of the Lamb. “Amen and Hallelujah,” praise and glory to God, and His Christ.

This is also a great teaching moment, allowing the stumbled believer to pray for understand and wisdom, to pray for God’s grace in the lives of the stumbler, a perfect example of one of the many ways God works in the lives of His children watching an event Satan intended for evil turn into something God uses for good. In each of our lives the best and longest lasting lessons are learned through adversity. If everything went well all the time we would learn little. It is something akin to a college graduate. All the book learning in the world is helpful, but does not prepare a person in the way real experience does. Embrace this and future difficulties knowing that God has something for us in each one. The face of Jesus is never more visable and near, then when the circumstances are tough and the answers seem few. Paul lived just this way, always thanking God for his circumstances, not that they were fun, but because he knew that he would be closer to God because of them.