Hypocrites in Church

"And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye?’ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” [Matthew 7:3 – 5]

Have you ever thought about hypocrites in church? I do and this is my conclusion. Charles Heimsath said, “The chief trouble with the church is that you and I are in it.”  Even though a person has been born again, he is still a sinner.  When we forget this fact, we become overly critical of others and easily content with the way we are. Because we place such a great emphasis on creed at the expense of conduct, we are too willing to make allowances for our mediocre Christian lifestyle.  Creed is important but creed is more than what we believe. If our creed does not affect our conduct, we do not believe our creed. The time has come for us to stop blandly overlooking all our own faults and being so critical of others. It is time to examine our own lives, accept responsibility for what we are and take the criticism of others seriously. Why? As long as we are content why should we have to become something we already think we are?  There can be no change in the way we live until we realize we are but saved sinners.  We deceive ourselves by adopting a critical spirit toward those outside the church and by judging them by what we think we are.  When we are unwilling to address our own sins of the flesh and spirit while attacking the sins of the flesh and spirit of others, we are hypocritical.  What’s the answer?  One, we need to be continually examining our actions and words in light of God’s Word. Two, we must change any conduct that is not in harmony with its teaching. Three, we need to adopt a spirit of meekness [having our strength under control] when dealing with others.  Four, realizing personal change is difficult, painful and time consuming; we must exercise the same patience with others we would want them to exercise with us. Fifth, we need to go to those we have offended by our critical spirit and ask for forgiveness. If we’re not sure we have offended someone, use this test. If I think I might have, I probably have. Finally, speak the truth in love and demonstrate love when we interact with others.  To you who are overly critical of the church and church members, I would ask you to judge Christianity by its only standard, the person of Christ and his teachings. Do you see things as I see them?