This post is apart of the unChristian book review. However, I’m not going to give you a snap shot of what is in the book (because I think every Christian should read it) –I’m going to “blog” how I see it in my life. Here is the first: Hypocritical.

I know I’m a hyprocrite because I’m a sinner. I know I preach one message and often live another. I don’t think this is too different than what I see in Bible. Jesus saved his “best” comments for those who proclaimed to be close to God. Look at Matthew 23, “outwardly you look like righteous people, but inwardly your hearts are filled hypocrisy and lawlessness (v.28). And this: “You are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are filthy - full of greed and self-indulgence” (v.25). Jesus even points out what awaits the hyprocrite, “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law…hyprocrites! For you shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces. You won’t go in yourselves, and you don’t let others enter either” (v.13)

Sad but I see myself more like a “teacher” in His comments. I so often keep myself and others out of His presence with saying one thing and doing another. Paul in Romans 7.14-16 said it best: “… I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. Like Paul, I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this everyone experience?” Yes. I’m full of myself—after all, I’ve spent a long time in sin. What I don’t understand about myself is that I decide one way, but then I act another, doing things I absolutely despise. That is why I cling to the Bible. I can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for myself and then do it, so it’s obvious that God’s influence is necessary.

I think this is the story of every Christian. Right? But we are viewed as hypocrites because we don’t confess we have a sin problem. We chose to proclaim our morals and force them on our neighbors (and world), but never proclaim “We’re messed up! I’m life is crooked” Maybe its pride? self-righteousness? fear? But we have to start being honest about our faith. We chose to follow God because we know we need help every second of the day and we can’t be trusted to figure out what is best for ourselves much less anyone else. We just know God can make a difference…I know He has in my life.

I’m a hyprcrite and I’m Christian! First confession of many.

Categories: books