January 10, 2005
I have to really think this one through before I write it. I want to say it right.
First, shame on the Christian who says one thing, and does another. So... shame on me. Because we all do it, at some point. Christians don't have the monopoly on hypocrisy, it's a trait of humanity, in it's entirety. As parents, we tell our children, you mustn't lie. But do I lie? I called in "sick" one day recently, because I needed to leave for a trip early. How's that? I am guilty of hypocrisy with my child.
Because it's a human flaw, you will find it wherever we organize ourselves. Politics, education, business, and yes, church. The difference with this particular group though, is that Christians profess love and forgiveness and understanding. Hypocrisy isn't exactly a selling point for religion. We don't want to advertise how bad we can be, when we are trying to be so good. We are striving for more, we imitate Christ, we are "little-christs". He is the only One who walked this earth without the stain of hypocrisy; He is the only one who could because He was Perfect, and Blameless. We don't want you to see that we fall so short of His example, so we deny our hypocrisy. Our prejudices and self serving attitudes, our multitude of vices. It's really bad press for Christians. It just doesn't mesh with our agenda, which is the proclamation of a redeeming and loving Savior. Or does it? Is our message actually found in the very places we are ashamed of, in our weaknesses?
Because the truth is, we know our failings. We see our back-biting, our sometimes unrighteous judgement of others, our pettiness and spitefulness. We see our utter humanity in light of His perfect godhood, and we know we can never be what He's called us to be.
He knows it, too.
And believe this, He planned it. He knew we could never fulfill the Law. We could never be perfect imitations of Him. We could never escape those flaws we consumed in the Garden of Eden with that first tart taste of the forbidden fruit. Our hypocrisy is just one of those acquired taints that has haunted mankind and God's people since that moment. Greed, lust, hatred- so many black stains beneath our skin.
Our saving grace is... just that. Saving Grace. From God. His mercy is the only thing that covers those blights. Not our "being good enough". Not our faithful attendance to a church. Not our daily Bible reading or charity work with tsunami victims. Not meditating on an unnamed higher power. None of those things will save us. None of those things keep us from being the hypocrites and liars that we are. His Grace and Mercy is the only justification we can find, the only we need, the only one that works.
So. Now to my point.
In churches, you will find Man. You will find him in his fallen state. You will find hypocrites and liars and gossipers and all the dredge of humanity, because that is what we are in our imperfect state, which we will remain in until we are united with Christ in Heaven. We are works in progress, we are flawed as long as we draw breath, no matter how great our struggle to overcome it. Don't get me wrong, we should never use that as an excuse to indulge ourselves in sin. It should always be a battle to do good, to do right, to live as Christ lived. But, we will fall. It is inevitable. The difference is, we are not alone, and we do not fall so far away that we cannot be rescued again, and again, and again. That's the beauty of a relationship with Christ. Saving grace.
You may call me a hypocrite. It's okay, because it's true. I'm sorry. I hate it. I want more than anything to be like Christ, and I fail, everyday. I'm sorry that you see that, I'm sorry that my imperfections glare in the light of my profession of faith. But you need to know something. I'm living under grace. I'm not going to Heaven because I'm perfect or a good person, or never lie or cheat or steal. And neither will you.
Yes, friend. The church is full of hypocrites. Full of sinners. And so is heaven. Don't let me being a sinner, keep you out of either of those places. Don't miss the Grace that waits on you.
Well said!
Many "Christians" are blind to their own hypocrisy or cover it up. Some poor people who are new to Church think they are walking into a place filled with perfect people and are bound to be disappointed. Others won't even GO to Church because they are afraid of the place filled with the supposed "perfect people"!!
None of us is perfect, but you sure are a sweetie, Shannon. You are a GOOD person.
Posted by: annie at January 11, 2005 12:48 PMI confess! I've called in sick when I wasn't physically sick. I make myself feel better by saying to myself, "I need a mental health day."
It usually works and its sort of true. But still, I know what you mean.
Posted by: LB at January 11, 2005 07:23 PM