HYPOCRISY

“So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”

-Romans 14:12

Have you ever heard someone say, “I would be a Christian but there are too many hypocrites in the Church.” Perhaps, you yourself may have had such a thought.

Let us consider the nature of hypocrisy.

FIRST: notice that the mere existence of a counterfeit is positive proof that the real does exist.

Never forget that though the imitation is often spurious, the genuine exists. Because some people counterfeit Christianity, you can be sure that Christianity is real. Hypocrisy is counterfeit Christianity.

SECOND: notice that men never counterfeit that which is not valuable.

Men counterfeit money because it has value. Have you ever heard of men counterfeiting play money? No, men counterfeit only the genuine. So, if the Christian faith you have seen is hypocritical, do not conclude that all Christian faith is phony.

THIRD: notice that a hypocrite is only what a Christian is not.

Sometimes people try to copy Christ’s life – to live as He lived without ever inviting Him to come to their lives. But the only way anyone can live a genuine Christian life is by having Jesus Christ living within.

God’s Word, the Bible, tells us that a Christian is one who with sincerity of heart has confessed Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and has become a new creature in Christ Jesus. He does not pretend to be perfect, but he does know a perfect Savior.

Whatever may be the behavior of others, remember that it is your actions for which you are responsible. Romans 14:12 says, “So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.”