Are you now understanding the concept of hypocrisy? People pretend. They lie. And so the way we can know that they are pretending to be Christians, is through their words and their actions, because actions prove words. Even so, there are moral people who don't follow Christ, or call him Lord. However, living a moral life alone, doesn't make anyone a Christians either. To be a true biblical Christian, one must believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and God who was born of a virgin, died on a cross to redeems us from sin with his blood, and then rose again on the third day. And they must forsake this world's lusts and sins by adhering to his two great commandments, and they must defend and keep the faith that was revealed to them in Holy Scripture, not emotionally cooked up spiritualistic experience oriented seances, a.k.a "doing church differently." They must also uphold and actually live according to its sound, Holy Spirit breathed doctrine. Anything less is to be considered hypocrisy, a false hope, and a false faith, replete with lying wonders. And I give you two examples of the shepherds of hypocrisy:
Or does a look of impatience, anger, or seasickness appear on the prideful faces of your pastoral staff when the word "doctrine" is mentioned especially in conjunction with the word "sound?" Is your favorite teacher being accused of plagiarism? Are they under suspicion for creative book keeping? Do they only talk about material prosperity and physical health as being Scriptural "proof" of having an abundant Christian life? Do they teach it's okay to get tattoos, and condone leaders who shack up together? Do they put far too much emphasis on the experience of feelings as a means of being in the Lord's presence, rather than relying on faith? These are just a few of the hallmarks of a compromised pastor or teacher. The apostle Paul admonishes Christians in this way:
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Eph. 5: 3-4 [emphasis mine]
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
1 Corinthians 6:18
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Colossians 3:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."
Hebrews 13:5 [emphasis mine]
If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1Timothy 6:3-6
Becoming A Real Christian
- personally believe and confess Jesus is God in the flesh
- acknowledge that he died on the cross to pay for your sins with his blood
- and that he rose again on the third day from the grave
- is alive forever more seated at the right hand of God (a term meaning "in power")
- and then actually LIVE like a Christian.
I can't emphasize that enough, as you can tell. This is known as being a "doer" and not only a "hearer" of the word of God. Counting the cost means that you understand that you may lose your family, your job, your house, and your friends, all because you want to follow Christ. That is a heavy price to pay, and for most people the price is too high, so they either abandon the offer altogether, or they try to use compromise as a means of being of the world while trying to sneak into heaven..
Truly, this is a huge decision to make! One that will determine your spiritual state forever, and due to its magnitude, it should never be made on an emotional whim. If you love sinning and hanging out with sinners more than life itself, then the true Christian life is not for you, until you're sick and tired of living that way. Believe it or not, there are droves and droves of people in this world who love being disobedient to authority, are ardent adulterers and fornicators, expert liars and thieves, remorseless murderers, gleeful gossips, brazen blasphemers, and the zealously greedy and covetous. But for those of us who are already sick and tired of living in sin and desire to be free from its strangling gnarled clutches, then perhaps you are primed to reach out for and take hold of Jesus' outstretched nail scared hand with yours, and accept him as your Lord and Savior. But to do so, you need to let go of the garbage you're holding on to. So I encourage you to count the cost of discipleship, and decide this day who you will follow and serve: Jesus as your Lord, God, and ever living Savior, or your flesh and Satan as the temporary god of this dying world system. The choice is yours. Choose wisely. Amen!