letters menu > hypocrisy in the church

It's nice that every few years, I'm exonerated in my convictions that you people are the kings of hypocracy. I once believed, or thought i did, until I saw from even the local standards that abuse of power was more frequent in church then that of local politics(and theres plenty of that). So as I stepped away from it, others in my immediate family were drawn to it, and I understand that as you grow old you want a life that has more meaning then you can explain. And one that you'll leave knowing you're off to better places. And yet the most popular voices in Christianity are the most two-faced beings on TV. From Crosley, Fallwell, Hinn, Robertson, Haggard, I mean c'mon the only ones that haven't been put under scrutiny for their actions one way or another, are the ones that just haven't been caught yet.This isn't the end of the controversy, its just the most recent case, you people need to stop worrying about how us "heathens" live our non-judgmental lives and start watching your actions. If there was a God he wouldn't let a pack of wolves masqueradeas his chosen savers,...an yet.

Daniel

Hi Daniel:

Thank you for your email.

Would you consider this?

Let's say you are walking in a city. You are going by a construction site where they are building a new high rise building. Today is the day they are testing the elevator. You notice that way up at the top of the building the elevator is starting to come down. Then you notice, at the bottom of the elevator shaft, two small children are playing in the sand. No one else is around. The elevator is not coming all that fast, but it will come down and kill the children. Do you just walk by, thinking "I shouldn't worry about them." Or do you run over and save the children? My guess is that you'd save the children.

Yes, churches are filled with hypocrites. That observation kept me away from churches for many years. Yes, there are evil people who call themselves "Christian" and who enrich themselves through their "Christian" ministries. But, the greatest hypocrisy in the church is that we know that you are at the bottom of the elevator shaft about to get smashed by the elevator, and we don't do anything to save you. That's true hypocrisy!

Every complaint in your email is about men (mankind), not God. Christianity is about God, not men. Men are fallible and we do wrong. God has warned us (in the Bible) that there will be wolves among the sheep, and you've named a number of those wolves. Men (mankind) are corrupt, and you have observed that is true. On the other hand you have not noticed the thousands of humble Christian leaders who strive to obey God and live godly lives... you don't notice them because they live as God told us to live... humbly. But whether there are good or evil men is not really the question, it's a fact. God gave us free will, and people chose to use that liberty to do evil. Would you rather not have free will, and instead be a puppet controlled by God?

Are you saying that you do not believe there is a God? You seem like a rational person, and to claim God does not exist is not logical. It does not make sense. Why is it irrational? Do you know the combined weight of all the sand on the beaches in Hawaii? I assume you do not. Do you know how many hairs are on the back of a fully grown Tibetan yak? I assume you don't. My point is that neither of us knows the answers to these questions. But let's say that you do know 1% of all possible knowledge. By the way it is interesting to note that Thomas Edison said, "We do not know a millionth of one percent about anything." But, let's assume you do know 1% of all knowledge in the universe. That means that you do not know 99% of the knowledge. Is it not possible that within that 99% of knowledge that you don't know, that there is ample evidence to prove the existence of God?

To reject the existence of God can not be supported logically. It requires you have 100% of all possible knowledge. That's impossible.

On the other hand, to know that there is a God just requires very little evidence.

If someone claimed there was no gold in China, what would they have to do to prove that claim? They'd have to have perfect knowledge about everything in China. What would it take to prove there was gold in China? Just finding one gold wedding ring, one gold tooth, one speck of gold dust, or some gold leaf on a book cover.

As I said, I had the same questions as you do. I saw all the hypocrisy in the church. I walked away from church when I was in college. But as I examined the evidence it eventually became very clear there is a God... who is the creator of the universe... who made you and me... He is the infinitely powerful creator of everything... someone that I needed to pay attention to.

That means we will someday stand before God to be judged. Those people you mentioned, who deceive people and enrich themselves in the name of God, will stand before God and be judged for what they've done.

But, what about you? What will happen when you stand before God to be judged It starts with a simple question.... would you consider yourself to be a good person?

The typical answer is: of course I'm a good person. I'm not like those people I mentioned in my email.

But we are not in a comparison with other people. We are judged based on God's law, just as we are judged against the civil law here on earth.

We're not in an interactive dialog, so I can't really ask these questions. Please correct me any place that I'm wrong...

Let's take a look at a few questions to see if you really are a good person.

For example, have you ever told a lie? - Yes. What does that make you? (I've told a lie, so it makes me a liar.)

Have you ever stolen anything? Even something small or insignificant? The value makes no difference. - Most people say no, and then admit they did steal something like a candy bar when they were young. Or they have run a red light, stealing someone else's right to go through the intersection. Have you ever stolen anything?

Jesus said that whoever looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery in his heart. Have you ever looked at a woman with lust? I don't know of a guy who can say no to this question. That would make you an adulterer.

Jesus says that whoever is angry with another person or calls someone else a fool, has committed murder in their heart. Have you ever been really angry at someone or called someone a fool? That would make you a murderer.

These are just four of the Ten Commandments. The Bible tells us that we all have broken God's laws... "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). Because we have broken God's laws we must pay the penalty, which is death (hell).

"The wages of sin is death." - Romans 6:23

When judgment day comes will you be found innocent or guilty of breaking God's laws? Mark 10:18 tells us that no one is good except God. You are guilty of breaking God's laws.
Since you are guilty will you be going to heaven or hell? The saying goes, if you do the crime you pay the time... you are heading for hell.

But some people say God is good. God is loving. Because He is a loving and good God He will forgive us.

Let's say there is a lying, thief who raped and murdered. He got caught and now he is now standing in the courtroom. The verdict is GUILTY! He then says, "Yes judge, I'm guilty. But you are a good, loving judge. You will forgive me and let me go." What will the judge say?

He will say, "Yes, you are right. I am a good judge. That's why I sentence you to prison for life." Only a corrupt judge would let that person go free. There is a penalty that must be paid, and a good judge will be sure the law breaker pays that penalty.

That's the way it is with God. You have broken His laws and you must pay the penalty.

But here is some very good news!

Someone else has stepped in and offered to pay the penalty you owe for you. You are facing the death penalty (hell), but Jesus died to pay the penalty you owe on your behalf. Jesus died in your place so you can go free!!

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." - Romans 8:1

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not by works, so that no one can boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

The answer is not religion... the answer is not church... the answer is repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. Repentance means to desire to stop disobeying God. Faith means that you trust that Jesus has paid the debt you owe for disobeying God. Those who turn away from disobeying God and trust that Jesus Christ paid the penalty they owe for their sins, will enter the kingdom of heaven.

If you'd like a copy of the Gospel of John, I'd be happy to send you one free, along with more information about salvation through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for writing. I'm glad to have heard from you.
Steve
Mission to America