One of the legendary excuses people give for not coming to church has to do with the number of hypocrites who attend church. A hypocrite (biblically speaking) is someone who claims to have a relationship with God, but does not live like it.Know anyone like that? Yea... me, too.
That's why I agree with the folks who point out all the hypocrites at church. They're right. Sadly, Southern Baptist churches (I'll just speak for my own denomination) are filled with hypocrites. Men who are cruel to their wives and then teach Sunday School. Women who curse and slander others and then join the prayer chain. Business people who rip others off and then help count the offering. Young couples who party on Friday and 'worship' on Sunday. Preachers who neglect their families and then try to lead God's family. Gag!
Unbelievers hate hypocrites. I hate hypocrisy (especially when I see it in my own life). But that's nothing compared to how Jesus feels about it. He says, "Woe to you hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleaness. (Matt. 23:27)" You look good on the outside... you go through all the outward rituals, but nothing has changed in your heart!
Get it -- Real Christianity is Living Faith! It changes your life. It changes your business practices, changes your marriage, changes your work ethic, changes your attitude. Jesus says real faith/saving faith is a living faith. He won't have it any other way.
So, as a pastor, here's where I hope this blog can help. I cannot live my faith by myself. I need other Christians around encouraging, correcting, & shaping me. That's why Jesus put us together in local churches. And I want this blog, as a part of our local church, to exist in order to:
(1) Wake up "so-called Christians" (i.e. hypocrites) to see they are NOT okay. They need a life-chaning encounter with Jesus Christ.
(2) Encourage true Christians to live it out. Fight the good fight... don't back down... pursue Christ with everything you've got!
(3) Show non-Christians that Jesus is real. Jesus is alive. Jesus is forgiving & changing sinners like me. And He will do it for you, too!
Join me on this journey of Living Faith!
AMEN Josh!! I agree 100%. This is exactly what I was wanting to talk to you about when I told you the other week I wanted to talk to you about something. I can only image how a nonbeliever looks at people that do things and then come to church when I am having a hard time seeing it myself. I still would like to talk to you about this if that is possible. I am really struggling with some things that I don't understand.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Jeri Lynn