Articles
What Is The Difference Between A Hypocrite And A Faithful Christian Who Stumbles? (Part 2)
At the same time, another couple (husband and wife) demonstrate (even though they are not absolutely perfect) even as they engage in singing, prayer, the Lord’s Supper, giving, or the preaching of God’s sacred word) that they not only put God ahead of everything else in their lives, but they realize that they need the mercy of God because they are not perfect―that is, it is not the case that they never sin at any time by (1) doing something which the Bible forbids or by (2) failing to do some deed which the Bible makes clear is something which one must do to be pleasing to God. The two couples described briefly just above can be the source of each and every one of us weighing our lives in the light of the sacred word of God, the Bible. If any person is a hypocrite (merely pretends to be faithful), then if he/she is to be saved eternally, he/she must repent of their past sins and turn away from their wicked ways. If any human being holds that he can deceive God into not knowing that he is living a hypocritical life, then―if he never subsequently repents (before his death)―he will be lost forever in the midst of very agonizing suffering. Jesus made clear (Mat. 23:27-28) that every hypocrite is in very deep trouble. On the “outside” they are “beautiful,” but on the “inside” they are full of mere bones and filth. Let us all help one another so that we will not be eternally punished. It would be good for every person to thoroughly examine his own heart and deeds with sincere intention of (1) not masking who he really is while he merely plays a part for those who observe him, (2) not acting with the desire―not to actually do what is right but merely to gain the approval of other mere human beings (see Mat. 6:1-3), (3) not being satisfied with the mere external aspects of religion, while he pays no attention to the crucial matters of love for God and his fellow human beings (Mat. 15:1·21), (4) not using the language of the Bible in such fashion as to hide the real motives which are concealed in his heart (Mat. 22:18-22), and (5) not ignoring the marvelous teaching of Jesus by which He warns every hypocrite. May each and e
