Monday, February 6, 2012

Are Christians hypocrites?

Now this is a pretty common accusation, I'd say. Are Christians hypocrites?
Before we can get into this question, we must first explain the definition of hypocrite.
According to the dictionary, a hypocrite is one who pretends to have certain beliefs/morals/values, but doesn't.

If I were to answer this question simply, it'd be difficult and wrong. I personally believe that, yes, most Christians would be hypocrites. And perhaps, even I am a hypocrite--I will not exclude myself (though I do not desire to be a hypocrite, sometimes I wonder if I can truly help it, much to my own shame and guilt, as I do despise my very being). The fact of the matter is... the true Christian life is one that is difficult to attain and even more difficult to hold on to.

The first point I would like to make is that the labeling of people as Christians throws everything into confusion.
A lot of people call themselves Christian. Are they all Christian? Of course not. And even some people who are truly saved, may not call themselves Christians. Aren't they Christian? Sure they are.

Here is the issue: Accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is a personal thing (and a spiritual thing) and cannot be officially verified by any human means. You may get a certificate when you are baptized, but that does not mean you are a certified believer. The only one who can truly answer whether or not a person is a Christian(and even the labeling is a matter of semantics and quite meaningless)... is God. And that means, it is a difficult thing to distinguish and many people can hide their true selves and become accepted as a Church member but may never truly understand, or love, the concept (and the very being) of the living God.

That is why I do believe that most (and yes, that means the majority, perhaps the VAST majority) Christians are not Christians at all. Yes, there are hypocrites in the Church and I will not deny this fact, nor will I hide from it. For it is the knowledge of this that lends to understanding.
Even the Bible talks and warns about these things: There will always be wolves among the sheep.

Am I a Christian? I suppose the world would label me as such. And if I had to explain my beliefs to the world, surely I would have to use this term as a way for them to understand. But if it was up to me, I care nothing for the title.

What would I prefer to be called?
Unworthy servant of Christ. A wicked sinner desperate for mercy and grace of the living God.
Wretched. Scum. The lowest of the low.

I have done nothing right. And have done everything wrong.
That is why I choose to follow God. Not because I'm holy or good or have become such. But because in light of God's goodness, I am far, far, far from anything good.

If one is truly a "Christian" they are not perfect or good nor will they acknowledge such things. But they SEEK perfection, knowing fully well, it is impossible to attain in this current life.