I’m a Hypocrite, and so are You. – Author Unknown
Every time I hear the word ‘hypocrite’, I’m reminded of this saying: “You can go to church and sit next to a hypocrite, or you can go to hell with them.” I admit that I never fully understood this phrase as a child.
Now that I’m an adult (at least on the outside), I think I understand it, but am not sure I agree with it. I am not arguing that everyone in church is a sinner, but I am arguing that every person in church is a hypocrite.
You see, I believe we often use the words synonymously. However, I can say with 100% certainty that every person you meet is a sinner.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)
A hypocrite would be someone that says they are not a sinner and then go sin. Jesus accepts all sinners when they recognize their sin and fall at His feet. He was not so fond of hypocrites who say one thing and do another:
“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
‘These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
their teachings are merely human rules.’” (Matthew 15:7-9)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.” (Matthew 23:23)
Are their hypocrites in church? Almost certainly the answer is yes. But there are also a lot of sinners in church who recognize their sin and worship Jesus - the only One who can save them from their terrible fate.
Are violets blue? That’s a separate issue…
#LoveMatters