Josh McDowell and Don Stewart wrote a book entitled, "Answers to Tough Questions." I found it at Baine's Used Book Store the other day. When Pastor Frank was talking about hypocrisy, I looked for some more insight from this book. Here's what I found, and I quote:
"..just because the Church contains hypocrites does not mean that all Christians are hypocrites. With every example of hypocrisy that can be pointed to in the Church, a counter example can be pointed out showing people who are living consistently with the teaching of Jesus Christ."
"It is important not to confuse hypocrisy with sin. All Christians are sinners, but not all Christians are hypocrites. There is a misconception that a Christian is a person who claims that he does not sin, but the truth is that to call oneself a Christian is to admit to being a sinner (l Jn. 1:5-2:2)."...
"People can and do enter the ministry for the wrong reasons, or they can compromise the convictions of faith. When people do this they are wrong, and the Bible denounces this clearly."
"Christianity does not stand or fall on the way Christians have acted throughout history or are acting today. Christianity stands or falls on the person of Jesus, and Jesus was not a hypocrite. He lived consistently with what He taught, and at the end of His life He challenged those who lived with Him night and day, for over three years, to point out any hypocrisy in Him."
"His disciples were silent, because there was none. Since Christianity depends on Jesus, it is incorrect to try to invalidate the Christian faith by pointing to horrible things done in the name of Christianity."
"The non-believer cannot be excused from believing just because it is possible to point to those who simply pretend to be what they are not. Hypocritical Christians cannot be excused on the basis of not being perfect because of the terrible effects hypocrisy has."....
"...People may claim Christianity is true, yet have lives inconsistent with their claim, but this does not necessarily mean Christianity is not true."
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I just want to say that I am sorry for the hypocrisy in the church. I think hypocrisy is in direct opposite corners from long obedience. Please don't allow hypocrisy in the church to keep you from knowing Jesus. Let those of us who are hypocrites, pay for our hypocrisy. Don't you pay for it too. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. I go to church because He sought me and saved me and I want to go and worship Him with others who have been sought and saved. We are far from perfect. Otherwise, He wouldn't have been looking for us. It is the sick He came to save and we need Him. I am just so thankful that He came.
2 comments:
Nice thoughts! I heard one person say that churches aren't places of perfection but in reality "hospitals for sick souls looking to get well." Our own pastor used the example of the disciples casting out their nets and fishing - and Jesus saying we must be fishers of men. If you cast your net wide, you'll catch lovely big fish of all sorts, but you'll also scrape up old tin cans, boots and tires people threw in the water. And isn't that like any group you've ever belonged to, church or otherwise? You're in church sitting next to wonderful people, hypocrites, sinners, and saints. Great lovely fish, old boots and tires no one wants. Jesus' great big net catches the entire lot and hauls it in! Thanks for all your wisdom!
I like what you shared. How can I post it so everyone reads it? Annette
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