There are hypocrites in Church ? Oh my GOD no, say it isn't so. People say this as if the Church is the only place where hypocrites can be found, as if there is no hypocrites out side the Church. Hello, the world is full of hypocrites.

People often say: "I won't go to church because of all the hypocrites there. Or they may ask: Why are there so many hypocrites in church?"

Certainly this has long been a criticism lodged against the church, and it is a criticism well deserved. The church IS full of hypocrites, it always has been, always will be.

A preacher was once told by a backsliding Christian who said, “I don’t want to go back to that church - they’re all hypocrites there!” To which the preacher responded, “There’s always room for one more.”

Why?

Before we delve into the why, we first need to understand just what a hypocrite is. According to Webster, a hypocrite is "One who affects virtues or qualities [one] does not have." In other words, someone who claims to be what they aren't. Like perfect. Or righteous. Or even good.

And to be honest, there aren't many who fully qualify for any of the three. And yet, the church is full of people who claim to be Christian, which means literally "Christ-like," and heaven knows there aren't a lot of people in (or out) of our churches who can hold a candle to the virtues of Christ.

So in this sense, the church is indeed full of hypocrites--even I claim to be a Christian, but I'm as far from Christ-like .

The problem is, that the charge that the church is full of hypocrites is typically an accusation that the church is full of people who are "self-righteous" and "holier-than-thou."

Unfortunately, this charge is too often true as well. From before the time of Jesus, religious institutions have been full of people who may practice a couple of the virtues, such as giving, or knowledge, and then feel they are somehow superior to those who haven't achieved "their level" of virtue. Jesus spent a good part of his ministry addressing these kind of people, even to the point of calling them names such as "brood of vipers" (Matthew 23.33) and "whitewashed tombs" (Matthew 23.27). Indeed, these are the kind of people who are likely inferred in the parable of the wheat and the weeds in Matthew 13.

But why are these kind of people so attracted to church? For one, the church has historically been a haven for the broken-hearted and broken spirited, a place for these to seek solace and comfort from God and God's people. In a place where people actually claim to be less than perfect, it is easy for those needing to feel "holier-than-thou" to do so among these broken people.

Hypocrites Are In All Walks Of Life

Let’s examine this line of reasoning by asking ourselves this question: Are there not “hypocrites” in all walks of life? They exist on the golf course, the highways, and in business. They are everywhere. Although you may not want to attend church because of them, have you given up golf, or driving your car, or working for a living because of them? Of course not, it wouldn't’t be practical, in fact it would be quite foolish. Then why would you not go to Church because of them ? We overlook the “hypocrisy” of our golf companion when he cheats on his score, and we do not cease to drive our car because the man in the next lane speeds.

In the workplace, do we not see fellow employees who are not giving one hundred percent? Do we not see employees leaving work early, coming to work late or not showing up at all? Or perhaps, we see our fellow worker “stealing” when they do not give a day’s work for a day’s pay? What do we do? Do we quit our employment because there are “too many hypocrites” in our workplace? Certainly not. We faithfully come to work and give our employer one hundred percent effort no matter what any other employee does because that’s what the Lord requires of us (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-24)

The Church is the best place for hypocrites !!!

The church was never meant to be a social club for the saints, instead it was created to be a hospital for the broken--all the broken. The poor in spirit, the broken-hearted, and even the hypocrites and the self-righteous are all welcomed into the church, for none of us are really what we ought to be. Of course, the best place for a hypocrite to be is inside a good church where they will learn to be honest, sincere, and loving Christians who practice what they preach. Until then the Church will have phonies, and hypocrites

Peter Lord, a well rebound Pastor and teacher once said: "What we do is what we really believe; and the rest is just religious talk".

It has been said that the church is a “hospital for sinners.” Jesus said nearly the same thing in Matthew 9:12, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick”. The church is where God places those who come to Him through Christ (Gal. 3:27; Acts 2:47). It is clear from the scriptures, however, that of those who come, many do not remain faithful to the teachings of Christ (Acts 5:1-11; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 2:1-15).

Jesus spoke of this situation in Matthew 13:24-30 when He told the parable of the wheat and tares. Tares are a useless weed which were, in the parable, sown in a field by an enemy of the farmer. Rather than pull out the sprouting tares, thereby destroying much of the wheat, the farmer decided to let the wheat and the tares grow together and then to separate them at harvest.

Jesus explained His parable in Matthew 13:37-43 saying, “He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing, and gnashing of teeth.”

The Hypocritical Church

The hypocritical church is composed by much of what labels itself as "Christian". It is not limited to any specific group, congregation, denomination, or Church. No group will claim the title as, 'the Hypocritical Church'; yet, many earn the title by their actions. The following are fictional, although some were inspired by actual events. The attitudes represented are not limited to any specific Church, Denomination, or group. They may even apply to each of us on a personal level.

Sunday Late Edition
  Police removed a homeless person from the steps of XYZ Church, this morning at the request of the Pastor. Pastor ABC of this Christian Church, stated that the members of his congregation complained because the man smelled and appeared disheveled.
"- Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger ............. and did not minister to You?
Then He shall answer them, saying, Truly I say to you, In as much as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me."
(Mat 25:44-45)

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven."
(Mat 5:14 & 16)

  Jesus expresses His contempt for, and condemnation of, the hypocritical religious in Matthew 12:34 & 23:33,
"Offspring of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."
"Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?"

The role of the Church founded by Jesus Christ is to preach His Gospel. It is not meant to be tolerant of sin, submissive, or conformed to Society's morality. It was never meant to compromise His teachings to fit in with National, or World, views. There is no room in Jesus Christ's Church for any who subscribe to the 'go along to get along' attitude, that is prevalent today. If Jesus had labored to compromise, fit in, and be tolerant, He would have failed in the Commission He was given by the Father.The 'light of the world', the 'Christian' Church, has become hypocritical & nothing more than an unnoticeable spark in the darkness.

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I would that you were cold or hot.
So because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,
I will vomit you out of My mouth."
(Rev 3:15-16)

Don't Just Talk the Talk Walk the Walk

 Being a child of God brings with it some awesome responsibilities. One of the most troublesome is that it is not enough to just "Talk, the talk" we are required to "Walk, the walk," following in the foot steps of Our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ.

 As Christians we like to Talk the talk (discuss the depth of our faith.) Yet this is not enough, as we are reminded in the Epistle of James:
" But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."
(James 3:18)
" Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."
(James 3:17)
From the above verses we can see that it is of greater importance to Walk the walk, we can talk all we want; but, if our faith does not cause us to act then it is worthless.

 To walk the Christian walk is totally alien to our humanity. Pride, greed, lust, deceitfulness, and anger all provide stumbling blocks to our walk. As do, striving for: career advancement; self-gratification: personal recognition; control over our lives; and not being satisfied with what we have.

 We are called to be humble and truthful. Dealing with others in the same manner we want them to deal with us. Acknowledging that control of our lives is in the hands of Our Heavenly Father, who provides all that we need. Being as, or more, concerned about others as we are about ourselves.

It is much easier for us to testify (talk) about Our Lord & Savior than to proclaim Him through an unworldly lifestyle (walk). Yet we are called to do both. Not because it earns us points, or favor, with Our Heavenly Father; but, because that is the way He wants us to be. We as fleshly creatures will never attain perfection in these requirements; but we are called to strive for perfection. When one of the stumbling blocks trip us up, we are required to get up, acknowledge our mistake(s), ask for help, and keep striving secure in the knowledge that He is with us to help, guide, and uplift.

  A lifetime of talking about our faith, can be undone in another person's eyes by our actions. I am reminded of the old, tried, & true statement:
"Actions speak louder than words!"

Our Need For A Savior

Admittedly, we see non-Christians who are better than some who claim to be Christians by their actions. There may also be non-Christians who are morally stronger than some who are Christians. If you are one of these and you are a very good person, does that eliminate your need for a Savior?

The apostle Paul stated, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Thus all men are in need of our blessed Lord and Savior and there are none who can come to God without the Savior. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

"And there is salvation in no other One (Jesus); for there is no other name under Heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
(Act 4:12)

Conclusion

The fact of the matter is this, there hypocrites all around us. Unfortunately, as faithful Christians we must live in the church and the world with hypocrites who claim to be Christians. Many of which whose lives are not only an embarrassment for themselves, but to the world and to Christ as well. We, as faithful Christians must not let hypocrites deter us from perusing a holy and righteous life that will bring Honor and Glory to GOD.. The existence of hypocrites in the church will not be a valid excuse on judgment day (Matthew 7:21; Romans 2:13; James 1:22).

Let us provoke and encourage each other towards excellance !!

Pastor John

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