"Do you want to come to church with me on Sunday?" I ask.
"Church really isn't my thing." She replies.
"Well, if you change your mind let me know."
"Actually, I don't like the idea of going to Hypocrite Church."
"Hypocrite Church?"
"Yes. Your church. It's full of hypocrites, acting like they're better than everyone else, pretending not to be sinners. But, I work with Mr. Hypocrite and let me tell you he's a real dirt bag Monday through Friday from 9-5 and I know he's a member of Hypocrite Church and I don't want to be a part of that."
************
Lots of us have experienced conversations like this one! And for some reason this conversation keeps coming up in my world. Like most conversations I always look back and think, I should have said this and that and added this... as though my terrific insights on any subject will convince those in attendance to lay down their lives, pick up their crosses and follow after Jesus all the days of their lives! Ahh, if only!
But, here are a few things I wish I would have said ...
First of all how is hypocrite defined? -person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
-person who pretends to be what he is not
Ouch.
So yes, perhaps I go to Hypocrite Church. Every church has their share of hypocrites. So does every organization, political group, group of moms, and circle of friends... etc. Where there is a group of people gathered you will find in their midst people pretending to be something/someone they're not. We all want people to think that we are better than we really are, it's human nature. It's not an excuse so much as an admission of guilt.
But, perhaps you're wrong about who they really are and what they're doing? What if they're not so much a hypocrite as they are a work in progress? I strive to be more than I am. I know right from wrong and unfortunately I often choose wrong. But, the more time I spend in the presence of Jesus, with fellow believers who keep me accountable and pray for my growth, the more God makes me into who I should be.
Becoming a Christian and going to church doesn't guarantee that we automatically become sin free... much in the same way that becoming a parent doesn't make our actions always line up with what we are teaching our children. I would dearly love to impress upon my children that they need to be honest, but does that mean that I will never lie again? I wish!! If we had to wait to go to church before we became perfect people we would have a lot of empty churches and, I for one, would never know the joy of sitting under the teaching of the Bible so that I may somehow become a little more like Jesus each week! Likewise, if we had to be perfect before bearing children this world would die off pretty quickly!
Since I'm relating church going and parenting so much here is one more consideration. Before having children I would have very pridefully told you that I thought I would make a wonderful mom, because I was a pretty wonderful person. Then God gave me children! I learned very quickly that I'm a very impatient person. I am an easily frustrated person. I am prone to telling white lies if it gets me out of asking another question. I am lazy. I am not nearly the prayer warrior I need to be. I will tell you that some situations warrant yelling like a crazy person and that I have been known to spank in anger and not out of a desire for my children to become more like Jesus. Being a mom has opened my eyes to my many areas of weakness and that perhaps a little humility will do me some good! I will also tell you that church has done the very same thing for me.
Being involved in a Bible believing church has also taught me that I fall short all of the time. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." It reminds me that many times I will tell my friends and neighbors that the need to be patient with their children, that they need to pray for them and that yelling isn't the answer and many times those who know me best will ask me how I'm doing in these areas myself. My church is more than a building full of hypocrites... it's my family. They are people who know that I fall short and they love me in spite of short comings. It is a family that encourages me, teaches me, prays for me (and my poor children), calls me out when I need to be called out, and offers unconditional love and is a picture of God's grace.
I ask that you might give my family at Hypocrite Church a little grace and realize that we aren't really here to tell you what you need to do or not do... instead we are here to learn more about God and His Only Begotten Son ... you know, the Son that died on the cross for all our sins and who is mercifully changing us each day to be more like Him and less like a hypocrite.
Also I would challenge you to come to Hypocrite Church and perhaps God will work in your heart so that you may love His children and see that we need a Savior just as much as you do. We would love you to become a part of our family... bumps, bruises and dysfunction ... love, grace and mercy too.
"Church really isn't my thing." She replies.
"Well, if you change your mind let me know."
"Actually, I don't like the idea of going to Hypocrite Church."
"Hypocrite Church?"
"Yes. Your church. It's full of hypocrites, acting like they're better than everyone else, pretending not to be sinners. But, I work with Mr. Hypocrite and let me tell you he's a real dirt bag Monday through Friday from 9-5 and I know he's a member of Hypocrite Church and I don't want to be a part of that."
************
Lots of us have experienced conversations like this one! And for some reason this conversation keeps coming up in my world. Like most conversations I always look back and think, I should have said this and that and added this... as though my terrific insights on any subject will convince those in attendance to lay down their lives, pick up their crosses and follow after Jesus all the days of their lives! Ahh, if only!
But, here are a few things I wish I would have said ...
First of all how is hypocrite defined? -person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, especially a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.
-person who pretends to be what he is not
Ouch.
So yes, perhaps I go to Hypocrite Church. Every church has their share of hypocrites. So does every organization, political group, group of moms, and circle of friends... etc. Where there is a group of people gathered you will find in their midst people pretending to be something/someone they're not. We all want people to think that we are better than we really are, it's human nature. It's not an excuse so much as an admission of guilt.
But, perhaps you're wrong about who they really are and what they're doing? What if they're not so much a hypocrite as they are a work in progress? I strive to be more than I am. I know right from wrong and unfortunately I often choose wrong. But, the more time I spend in the presence of Jesus, with fellow believers who keep me accountable and pray for my growth, the more God makes me into who I should be.
Becoming a Christian and going to church doesn't guarantee that we automatically become sin free... much in the same way that becoming a parent doesn't make our actions always line up with what we are teaching our children. I would dearly love to impress upon my children that they need to be honest, but does that mean that I will never lie again? I wish!! If we had to wait to go to church before we became perfect people we would have a lot of empty churches and, I for one, would never know the joy of sitting under the teaching of the Bible so that I may somehow become a little more like Jesus each week! Likewise, if we had to be perfect before bearing children this world would die off pretty quickly!
Since I'm relating church going and parenting so much here is one more consideration. Before having children I would have very pridefully told you that I thought I would make a wonderful mom, because I was a pretty wonderful person. Then God gave me children! I learned very quickly that I'm a very impatient person. I am an easily frustrated person. I am prone to telling white lies if it gets me out of asking another question. I am lazy. I am not nearly the prayer warrior I need to be. I will tell you that some situations warrant yelling like a crazy person and that I have been known to spank in anger and not out of a desire for my children to become more like Jesus. Being a mom has opened my eyes to my many areas of weakness and that perhaps a little humility will do me some good! I will also tell you that church has done the very same thing for me.
Being involved in a Bible believing church has also taught me that I fall short all of the time. Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." It reminds me that many times I will tell my friends and neighbors that the need to be patient with their children, that they need to pray for them and that yelling isn't the answer and many times those who know me best will ask me how I'm doing in these areas myself. My church is more than a building full of hypocrites... it's my family. They are people who know that I fall short and they love me in spite of short comings. It is a family that encourages me, teaches me, prays for me (and my poor children), calls me out when I need to be called out, and offers unconditional love and is a picture of God's grace.
I ask that you might give my family at Hypocrite Church a little grace and realize that we aren't really here to tell you what you need to do or not do... instead we are here to learn more about God and His Only Begotten Son ... you know, the Son that died on the cross for all our sins and who is mercifully changing us each day to be more like Him and less like a hypocrite.
Also I would challenge you to come to Hypocrite Church and perhaps God will work in your heart so that you may love His children and see that we need a Savior just as much as you do. We would love you to become a part of our family... bumps, bruises and dysfunction ... love, grace and mercy too.
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. Ephesians 4:15 &16 (NLT).
