Really, we are all hypocrites!

 

Quotation

          Why are people discontented? Why do they have a profound sense of emptiness in their life? According to the secular worldview, this emptiness is caused by our insatiable pursuit of happiness, an attempt to fill this emptiness we feel in our heart, with things that will make us happy. This worldview would tell you the problem resides in our focus. We are focused on getting what we want in this world, forsaking the people around us who have desperate needs. 

 

Barry Denzil Haney, MD

 

Scripture

 

You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth. Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say, “The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

 

Romans 2:18-24

Reflection

            

         Recent studies reveal most lifestyle activities of born-again Christians are no different than nonbelievers. Thirty percent who call themselves Christian practice their faith. We say one thing, then we do another. We have stopped practicing what we preach. We have become hypocrites! Why have we allowed ourselves to become hypocrites, allowed ourselves to be defeated by Satan? 

         

         Why do so many Christians appear to be walking around in defeat? Because God’s people are discontented. They no longer trust Him. They no longer depend upon Him. Because of the lies and deceptions they constantly hear from the secular world, they have forgotten they will fail without God. We are sinners who are unable to obey the laws given to us in the Old Testament.

 

The law was given to us to show us how sinful we are. If we try to use the law to try to get to Heaven, you are using the law for righteousness, something you cannot attain. When you are born-again, you become righteous because of Christ’s righteousness. If you interpret the law as what you need to do to make yourself acceptable to God, that is a sin. You cannot keep all the laws of the Old Testament. No man has ever kept all the law. You need to stop trusting in your own goodness. We are dead to the law because of Jesus.

         In today’s world, the height of mankind’s hypocrisy is seen with the explosion of sexual immorality, explosion of homosexuality, and the explosion of depravity. God is patient, but his patience is wearing thin. When these stages of moral depravity have been completed, the end is near. The acceptance of transgenderism by society may be the final straw that breaks the camel back. Transgenderism is the ultimate snub to God, “I am not what you made me to be!”

 

         This hypocrisy, this struggle you are having with Satan will end, your weariness will end, when you give your heart to Jesus!

                                                                                                                                                

Illustration

 

Self-righteousness is like a bottomless cup: though you pour and pour, you will never be able to fill it. Why? Because pouring yourself into yourself adds nothing to you. Nothing plus nothing always equals nothing.

 

Instead, accept God’s righteousness rather than trying to accumulate your own. You will find that the righteousness he offers is real. And that is what fills the cup of sanctification (Green)

 

Prayer

 

Our Heavenly Father,

 

Thank you for not allowing me to be tempted above

what I can handle! Thank you for providing me

a way to escape the temptation Satan throws my way!

Thank you for the full Armor of God you give me to

protect me as I navigate my rocky journey to salvation!

 

During the coming day, help me to remain focused on

Jesus! Help me become a beacon of light to the unsaved,

providing a chink in Satan’s deception, the deception preventing

the unsaved from spending an eternity with You in Heaven!

 

We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus,

 

Amen!

 

 

Worship

 

The Struggle – Zach Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3DFQ75CpHc

 

God Bless You,

Barry

 

Green, Michael P. 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2000. Print.