“But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord”—Joshua 24:15(TLB).
When I received an email several weeks ago via my website, I wondered if the person asking to subscribe to my weekly column was a former student. When I replied to his request, I asked. Yes, he was indeed a former student of mine, one whom I had not talked to in over 10 years.
It was exciting to catch up on this young man’s life and even more thrilling to know he is seeking the Lord. My former student had drifted away from God. After losing an infant son a decade ago, this young man had lost his faith. He still believed in God but had asked a million times, “Why?” Why had the Almighty chosen to take his young son?
As we continued to correspond, he had other questions about God, religion and church. Although he had returned to church, when he walked in, he immediately felt he was being instantly judged because of his attire.
He wrote, “Isn’t it supposed to be a house of worship, a house of God? Why does it matter what you wear as long as it’s tasteful and not derogatory?”
He added, “Then, I have this issue with hypocrites. Do as you preach and not bash what you condemn.”
After answering some of this young man’s questions, I began to consider my own past reactions to those who did not fit my mold as well as my own excuses for leaving the church when I was younger. One excuse included those who did not do as they preached—the hypocrites. It’s easy to judge others, especially when we’re not sitting in their pew.
Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus says, “Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.”
Some of Jesus’ harshest words were directed at hypocrites—at people who claimed to follow God but denied it by the way they lived. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15).
Since writing several articles on atheists, I’ve been bombarded with feedback. Many unbelievers have become disillusioned with Christianity because of hypocrisy.
I like my pastor’s explanation. “Church is not a hotel for saints but a hospital for sinners.”
Romans 3:23 puts it this way, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”
To choose God and His ways over the ways of man is to choose life. Even when we become discouraged and turn away from Him, He opens His loving arms and welcomes us back.