Hypocrites!!

The title screams what todays message is about being a hypocrite. Hypocrite means "one who puts on a mask and feigns himself to be what he is not." Hypocrisy is killing the "church" in every way, it is the very thing that hardens hearts in unbelievers. Our sin nature wants the Truth to be a lie, and when they see "Christians" acting just like them and yet claiming Jesus it hardens hearts. The world acts like the world, but Christians are called to a higher cause " Serving Jesus Christ"! You see Jesus said a few things about hypocrites, Then Jesus said to the crowds
5 “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels.* 6 And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. 7 They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’*
8 “Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters.* 9 And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your spiritual Father. 10 And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you must be a servant. 12 But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
13 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! 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.*
15 “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you cross land and sea to make one convert, and then you turn that person into twice the child of hell* you yourselves are! Matthew 23:5-15
George Barna said....... The spirituality of Americans is Christian in name only. We desire experience rather than truths. We seek comfort rather then growth. Faith must come on our terms or we reject it! We have enthroned ourselves as the final arbiters of righteousness, the ultimate rulers of our own experience and destiny. We Are the Pharisees of the New Millennium!!
Wow harsh words, but very needed for the Church today! That is just a quote from a man, but the scripture before it is from the Man, The Son of God, Jesus Christ! Either you believe Him or reject His teachings, either way His Truth stands firm. We(Christians) must live our faith out in full view in the world, and the dangers of us not doing this are to many to name. Pleasing man does not win them to Jesus, being yoked to them only brings everyone far away from The Truth. I can say I believe in Jesus, but my actions are what is being viewed. James speaks of this ...But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. James 1:23-24
When the door shuts behind you, and what you do in private behind those doors, emphatically shows who you are or not who you are! I truly hope and pray that the Church will wake up to this horrible disease called Hypocrisy. God Bless
*Tomorrow I am going to talk about the power of forgiveness through Jesus Christ!