One of the excuses so frequently offered by unbelievers for not coming to Christ is that “there are too many hypocrites in the church.” Surely no one really thinks such an excuse will stand up at the Great White Throne Judgment. God will not hold anyone accountable for someone else’s sin, and He certainly will not excuse unbelief on the basis of someone else’s hypocrisy.
The truth is that all human beings are hypocrites from time to time. All of us, other than the one perfect man, the God-man, our Savior, The Lord Jesus Christ, are sometimes guilty of saying one thing and doing another. I am actually glad there are hypocrites, and therefore sinners, in the Body of Christ. Otherwise, we would all be left out. I can only express my gratitude that I am a sinner saved by the grace of God instead of a sinner self-condemned in unbelief.
I recently saw a very thought-provoking statement – “When you let a hypocrite stand between you and God, the hypocrite is closer to God than you are.” How true.
True, but if I can blame it on someone else then I am not responsible... Sadly, I have heard my own brother speak these very words.
ReplyDeleteThank God for mercy and grace.