HYPOCRITES
The Dictionary defines hypocrite as: a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives
It is interesting that through out history the church has been plagued with hypocrites. I was even one of those at a young age that did not want to go to church because of the hypocrites. Why? because I went to church on Sunday and saw the same people on Monday acting just like the world. I could see no difference on how they acted toward their fellow mankind as the average Joe-blow. In fact some of them were worse.
Sadly, I see the influx of hypocrites in churches each Sunday grow in numbers and the true members of the Body of Christ are doing nothing but being influenced by them. Satan seems to fully understand we humans are more easily influenced by the darkness than we influence it. A very wise man once wrote. "A hand full of salt will change a pound of meat, if Christians are truly the salt of the earth what has happened. " We are not changing the world the world is changing us. FOUL!! You cry, but just look at the churches today. Everyday more and more denominations are accepting sin as normal part of their church. Everyday more and more Christians are accepting false doctrines being spewed by the false prophets of today. Almost everyday I get another "great" word from some false prophet. Does anyone beside me remember how many "great" prophets told us of the impending doom that was going to happen on 06/06/06. To some it was the start of the end of the world. Hey, guess what, nothing happened. But, what is worse is that the many, many in the church are still listening to these hypocrites. We have one "Spirit filled" woman whom we have lovingly corrected by supplying her time and time again with proof that these people are false prophets, but she still follows them like a blind lamb just waiting for the slaughter. I do not understand how so many Christians can be so easily deceived. In the mainstream Christian church it is almost like we are back to the early days of the Catholic Church when the sheep were told they were too dumb to understand the Word of God and only the priests could interpret the word. Is that where we are today Christians are becoming so lukewarm they just wait for some "great' prophet or man of God to tell us what to do?
Do you see what I am trying to get across? Many of you will say that there cannot be any hypocrites in the Church. Well your wrong. Let's just look at Jesus' words. Matthew 6:5 (KJV) 5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Well, if they are not in the church then why are they praying and to whom are they praying too? But let's go on. Matthew 6:2 (KJV) 2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. I can honestly say I do not know a heathen that gives alms. But, wait there is more: Matthew 6:16 (KJV) 16Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. Ok, this is interesting, the hypocrites fast. For what reason do you think? Jesus say's it is so people will see them and give them honor.
I could be wrong, but Jesus sure indicates that you find hypocrites in the church. Now if you said that they are no hypocrites in the body of Christ you would be correct, but our church buildings are full of hypocrites. Why are there no hypocrites in the body of Christ? Go back to the definition, "a person who professes beliefs and opinions that he or she does not hold in order to conceal his or her real feelings or motives." If they truly do not believe what they profess, then they are not following Jesus, and are not truly saved and cannot be a part of the Body of Christ because they are going to Hell! Harsh, you say! But be honest, if someone is living like the world and living in their sin with no repentance, no change and no desire to change do you honestly believe the Holy, pure and just Savior is going to be able to embrace them at judgement day when their filth will be exposed. Isaiah 64:57 (NLT) 5You welcome those who cheerfully do good, who follow godly ways. But we are not godly. We are constant sinners, so your anger is heavy on us. How can people like us be saved? 6We are all infected and impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away. Yet no one calls on your name or pleads with you for mercy. Therefore, you have turned away from us and turned us over to our sins. Do you see what Isaiah said. "When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we find they are but filthy rags." No matter how good we think we are we are filthy before a Holy and Just God. I would love to be able to say that the hypocrites were just mildewing to the pews because of their lack of movement but the opposite is true. They are a movement that is more active than the true Christians. The true Christians have become the monument and the hypocrites have become the movement. If this was not the case how do you explain the accelerated movement of the church to a lukewarm state. More and more mainstream churches are changing the Word of God to fit their idea of the God they keep in their personal box. A loving God, one who does not condemn anyone but loves everyone and wants everyone to be in heaven no matter what their sin is. Don't believe me? Jesus used a scripture written hundreds of years before to prove His point. Matthew 15:7 (NLT) 7You hypocrites! Isaiah was prophesying about you when he said, 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is a farce, for they replace God's commands with their own man-made teachings.'" Sound familiar, If not just spend sometime listening, truly listening to what is being spewed from the pulpit in the churches of today. On June 22 of this year the Episcopal Church elected a new female leader. In her first sermon she praised "our mother Jesus". Now I could be wrong but my Savior is not my mother. He is a man and was circumcised on the eighth day. But this is the new leader and no one screamed "Impeach the Blasphemer!" Nope not one.
Christians open your ears and listen, open your eyes and see, open your heart and feel what is happening in the Church and America today. Before you become like Jesus said. Matthew 13:14 (NLT) 14This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah, which says: 'You will hear my words, but you will not understand; you will see what I do, but you will not perceive its meaning. For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes- so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to me and let me heal them.'
Friends before it is too late and you fall into this category return to the basics of your Christian faith. See the hypocrites, false teachers and false prophets for what they are --- the devil's workers, using their pretty words to close your eyes to the truth of the Word of God. Jesus said in Matthew 13:16 (NLT) 16"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. Open your eyes and ears before it is to late. Jesus said
Matthew 7:7-8 (KJV) 7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Get into the living Word of God and test all the words of man against the words of God. The time is short and the Lord will return soon! Will you be found doing the will of the Father or the will of some man? The choice is yours my friend. Which side will you find yourself in eternity?
Think about it! Study the Living Word of God and you will see I am correct.
God Bless
