by religious research regarding church growth and world opinions about Christianity. The Alabama Baptist (“the most widely circulated state Baptist newspaper”) reports that in a recent study one researcher found those “who don’t attend church [the unchurched] are not too bothered by what they view as hypocrisy in the Church.” For several reasons the preceding statement is amusing to me. The researcher went on to point out the four things that “non-churchgoers don’t like about Christians.” Sadly, they are probably accurate but certainly not amusing. However think with me, and ask yourself after reading the four objections, what are they describing?1) Christians who treat other Christians poorly. 2) Holier-than-thou attitudes. 3) Christians who talk more than they listen. 4) Christians who don’t go to church.
Listen to Jesus’ rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees in Matthew 23. “For they preach, but do not practice” (v. 2). Sounds to me like number 3 above. “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their fingers” (v. 3) A definite connection to number 1. “For you shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. Four neither enter yourselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.” (v.13). “For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence” (v. 25). In other words, the Pharisees and scribes talked about being in the kingdom like some talk about being a Christian, but neglect the assembling of the saints for every contrived excuse, anemic alibi and personal pleasure. This would be applicable to number 1, 2, 3 and 4. “For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness”(v.27). Again, this clearly fits all four objections.
I know you are ahead of me on this but what has Jesus just pronounced a woe upon? HYPOCRISY! (see first part of each of the verses cited vv. 13, 16, 23, 25, 27, 29) The “unchurched” regardless of how you slice, dice or spin it, are bothered by the hypocrisy of Christians as they describe the things they don’t like about them. Even so, what should be our greatest concern is that God dislikes it!
So the real question is: Are WE bothered by it? It won’t change until we are and our lights will not shine as long as Christians are indifferent and complacent about it. (John 13:34-35)
5 comments:
Do you have copy writer for so good articles? If so please give me contacts, because this really rocks! :)
No actually, I follow the Joe Biden school of research. ha!
Wonder who is a "non-churchgoer"? Is he an atheist looking to justify why he is an atheist. Is he a part of a religion that has another god or gods. Is he someone that has determined what he thinks is a "Christian".
Yes we need to concerned about how others perceive us and we should listen and let the Word do the talking.
The greatest form of love, in my opinion, is showing someone they are lost.
Are there any followers of Christ that treat other followers of Christ bad? Yes but they change when it is brought to their attention. Are there "Christian" that treat "Christian" bad? Yes.
Am I concerned that some "Christian" have given the followers of Christ a bad name? Yes, but I do not think I am bothered for there is little I can do about hypocrites.
LEC, thanks for your comments. I must confess that I strive to have the same attitude toward sin, righteousness and people that Jesus Christ has. Consequently, I am bothered by the hypocrisy I sadly find in myself and others at time.
When people are turned off by the fact that there are hypocrites in the church, I think "of course there are." Where else would you expect to find hypocrites?
Hypocrites are people who want to appear to be something they are not. You will always find them mixed in among those who ARE Christians, because they are trying to be identified with those who ARE living a righteous life. When Jesus talked about the parable of the wheat and the tares He was emphasizing that very thing.
That does not justify hypocrisy, but we cannot expect to find it much of anywhere else.
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