Our culture has transformed dramatically over the past few decades....our recent election is evidence of that itself (but we won't go that route today!). Unfortunately the the Body of Christ, the church, along with its values and institutions, has picked up a few of our culture's ideals along the way. I'm drawn to the book of Isaiah where God spoke through the prophet:
"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." Isaiah 5:20
Next Step Devotional Thought
Are there any ideas about the church, what the church believes, who the church is, and what God called the church to do that have been, let's say, twisted from the truth? Absolutely! Let's look at a few "myths" that you might have heard while waiting in the grocery aisle, watching the nightly news media, or even during the Sunday sermon!
- The Church is not relevant to society anymore.
- All Christians are hypocrites. They have no ability to teach me what is "good."
- The Church is intolerant.
- The Church is judgemental and hateful towards those who have done things believed to be sin.
- The Church is stuck in the past and unwilling to grow with culture.
- The Church just wants my money.
- Tithing is not for today...it was just for the Old Testament.
- The Church is the same as the world (ex. divorce rate just as high)
How many of these have you heard? Better yet, how many of these myths have YOU believed? How do these thoughts shape your attitudes and understanding of how to participate in the glorious gift that is the Body of Christ?
There is no way I could journey the depths of each of these myths individually (check out the interview recaps below and go to www.moodyradiosouth.fm to re-hear the audio!), so let's take a moment to discuss one particular myth I think we have ALL heard complained against the Church on countless occasions..."The Church if full of a bunch of hypocrites!"
Now what is a hypocrite exactly? Merriam-Webster defines a hypocrite as someone who "puts on a false appearance of virtue or religiosity" or as "a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs." Some dictionaries even use the term "Pharisee" as a synonym for hypocrite. Sound familiar?
Now step back a second... it would be impossible for a hypocrite to exist without a standard of virtue to practice hypocrisy against. As the body of Christ, our standard is that of Jesus Christ. So, in a sense, it is impossible for us to NOT be hypocrites because none us us can fully live in such a way that we do not contradict any of God's commands. None of us can fulfill the law as Jesus did....only He was perfect.
So how do we escape the accusation that we are all hypocrites? The truth is, we don't. However, what we can do is point back to the life-giving truth of Jesus Christ that through Him and Him alone we are washed clean and freed from the penalty of our sin. We can live in such a way that our humility and love for one another exhibits that we are all sinners saved by grace, seeking to live in accordance to God's will the best we possibly can through the power of the Holy Spirit within us! We are all hypocrites when it comes to living up to the standard of God's perfection. But what a privilege to know and serve a God who loves us so much that He accepts us despite our flaws and rebellion.
We should strive to live in such a way that God is honored, but we must love others in the same way that He loved us. Yes, the church is full of a bunch of hypocrites, and there must always be room for one more!
Interview Recap
- Pastor Rick Taylor - The Church is No Longer Relevant
- Dr. Bradley Wright - Christians are Hate-Filled Hypocrites and Other Lies You've Been Told
- Jimmy Porter - Intolerance in the Church
- Caitlin Jane, Music Artist - Celebrate Life/ The Church's Response to Abortion
- Dr. Conrad Baggott - Hypocrisy
- Pastor Thad Harless - They Just Want My Money
- Dr. Ed Stetzer - Inside the Stats about the Church
- Howard Dayton - Tithing is Not for Today
Key Scriptures
Luke 11:42 - What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.
Colossians 1:16 - For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
Colossians 3:14 - And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Isaiah 1:16-17 - Wash yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
My Next Step
My closing thoughts: "LOVE"
John 13:35 - "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Blessings,
Melissa Rogers
Moody Radio South
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