Hypocritical Christians

A friend said to me that the reason he left the faith was because of ‘all those hypocritical Christians’. I found it sad to hear. Because I kind of know what he meant.

Why did he say this?

Why doesn’t the radical Gospel we read of in the Bible produce radical, committed Christians who not only talk the talk but walk the walk?

 

Hopes and Dreams

Simon Guillebaud is a missionary from Burundi, Central Africa, and he recently spoke in Canterbury. And he said something that  really struck me. It went something like this:

‘People in your street, in your workplace, in your friendship group have hopes and dreams. They mark these by the way they dress, what they spend their money on and how they spend their time. Christian - when you look the same as them – when you have the same house, same car, same clothes, same holidays, same topics of conversation – they assume that you share their hopes and dreams. They assume you are ‘one of them’.

And of course he is right. Many of us, me included, often desperately try not to stand out from the crowd.
Because it attracts attention. It attracts criticism. I might be seen as being too keen, or that I am judging others by trying to be better than them.

And yet it must be true in our ever increasingly secular culture that if we believe the Word of God and put it into practice, that is, if our hope is that our home is not in this world but above, that our riches are not on this earth but in heaven, that our approval comes from God and not from man –then we WILL look different.

Very different.

 

My inspiration

I know a Christian leader who has had the jobs and social standing to obtain all the ingredients for a successful life – the detached home, new 3 piece suite, impressive wardrobe, plasma screen, new car, nice holidays etc. And I’ve heard him preach numerous times. I confess I can remember little, but I do remember that he preaches about giving sacrificially – giving until it hurts.

And you know what, his life choices just scream agreement with what he believes. His house is far from luxurious. It is clear he must give a huge proportion of his income away. He doesn’t mention any of this, I’ve happened to see it. His walking the walk is the most POWERFUL message his life speaks to me. Because I know he is living a costly life. Money has not corrupted him. Societal pressure has not moulded him. Contempt from his peers has not daunted him.

And so when he speaks, I listen.

Because I know he believes it.

Do you inspire others?

Can you say the same? Or are you syncretistic and mix Christianity with materialism as much as the archetypal African tribal person mixes faith with ancestor worship?

Are you making committed, sacrificial, passionate disciples of Jesus?
 

Can your kids see that you really believe the gospel or do they see it as a nice add-on which gives a sense of security and a nice group of friends?
 

Are you ready for the cost? In the UK it is often social - it might mean uncomfortable pauses – ‘Oh, so you live there’…! Your holidays might not be as exciting; your home furnishings might not fit with your social standing; you may feel like an alien and a stranger whose home is not on this earth (hold on a minute….!).

The Facebook mirror

So if you confess to be a Christian – look at your Facebook posts over the last month. Look at your Tweets. Recall your workplace conversations. Look at your bank statement.

And be honest with yourself.

Does it match up with what who I say I am? Does your life demonstrate what you hope for? Does it provoke questions?

Because if it doesn’t, then something has gone terribly wrong. Jesus died to give us life. The most exciting, fruitful life comes from following Him wholeheartedly, unreservedly, putting your trust not in security that this world offers but in Christ.

If your security comes from these other things, in particular the approval of man, then no wonder you feel your Christian life is boring, lifeless and lacking reality.

 

Our example

Let me say that I need help in this area. Lots of it.

So let’s ask God to help us.

To forgive us for being hypocritical Christians. For saying our hope is in Christ but living as if our hope was the same as everyone else’s.

To follow the example of Christ who “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrew 12:2).

And let’s ask Him to help us step out in faith and show with our words and energy and money and time and attitude that we are in a new community, a new Kingdom, a new reality where wholehearted discipleship replaces lukewarm apathy.

And then let’s enjoy the blessings that God promises for those who give their all to follow him.

 

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things”. Phil 3:8