“Too Many Hypocrites”

Christian Hypocrites?

During my years as a Christian, I have seen members of the church become unfaithful and totally abandon the Lord’s church. Why? Their reason was, “there’s too many hypocrites in the church.” As a result of abandoning the Lord’s church, they themselves become the very person they are denouncing — a “hypocrite.” A preacher was once told by a backsliding Christian, “I don’t want to go back to that church – they’re all hypocrites there!” To which the preacher responded, “There’s always room for one more.”

Examples of Hypocrites In All Walks Of Life

Let’s examine this line of reasoning by asking ourselves this question: Are there not “hypocrites” in all walks of life? They exist on the golf course, the highways, and in business. They are everywhere. Although you may not attend church because of them, have you given up golf, or driving your car, or working for a living because of them? Of course not, it wouldn’t be practical. We overlook the “hypocrisy” of our golf companion when he cheats on his score and we do not cease to drive our car because the man in the next lane speeds.

In the workplace, do we not see fellow employees who are not giving one hundred percent? Do we not see employees leaving work early, coming to work late or not showing up at all? Do we see our fellow worker “stealing” when they do not give a day’s work for a day’s pay? What do we do? Do we quit our employment because there are “too many hypocrites” in our workplace? Certainly not. We faithfully come to work and give our employer one hundred percent effort no matter what any other employee does because that’s what the Lord requires of us (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-24).

Hypocrites in the Church to be Expected

It has been said that the church is a “hospital for sinners.” Jesus said nearly the same thing in Matthew 9:12, “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick”. The church is where God places those who come to Him through Christ (Gal. 3:27; Acts 2:47). It is clear from the scriptures, however, that of those who come, many do not remain faithful to the teachings of Christ (Acts 5:1-11; 1 Timothy 1:18-20; 2 Timothy 4:10; 2 Peter 2:1-15).

Jesus spoke of this situation in Matthew 13:24-30 when He told the parable of the wheat and tares. Tares are a useless weed which were, in the parable, sown in a field by an enemy of the farmer. Rather than pull out the sprouting tares, thereby destroying much of the wheat, the farmer decided to let the wheat and the tares grow together and then to separate them at harvest.

Jesus explained His parable in Matthew 13:37-43 saying:

“He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of the world. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing, and gnashing of teeth.”

Our Need For A Savior

Admittedly, we see non-Christians who are better than some who claim to be Christians by their actions. There may also be non-Christians who are morally stronger than some who are Christians. If you are one of these and you are a very good person, does that eliminate your need for a Savior?

The apostle Paul stated, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Thus all men are in need of our blessed Lord and Savior and there are none who can come to God without the Savior. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6).

Religious Hypocrites in the Church No Excuse

Salvation and eternal life are obtained only through Christ (John 3:16-17; Acts 4:10-12). Unfortunately, faithful Christians must live in the church with hypocrites who claim to be Christians and whose lives are an embarrassment for them and for Christ.

As faithful Christians, we must not let hypocrites deter us, for disobedience to the will of Christ will result in our condemnation as well (John 3:18-19; Romans 1:18; Ephesians 5:6-7). The existence of hypocrites in the church will not be a valid excuse on judgment day (Matthew 7:21; Romans 2:13; James 1:22).