Christians are too hypocritical.
The bad news is, it's true. The good news is we can change that image by dropping the masks we hide behind and becoming a mirror that reflects more accurately, who Christ is and who we are in Christ. We hide behind the mask of the rules of Christianity. We keep trying to "live right" and telling others how to "live right" that we forget that the very reason Jesus came and died was because we can't ever "live right." It's not so much about following the rules as it is the Rule-maker.
There was a lot of discussion, dialogue and people really having to wrestle with whether or not they were willing to drop their mask and stop pretending they were something they're not, and stop measuring their success or failure as a Christian by how well they followed the rules. I didn't know how it was going to work, but I took a little risk and we gave everyone coming in a mask. At one point I asked everyone to put it on (and almost all did) and at the end, I asked people to get up, take off the mask and drop it on the stage IF they were willing to trade it in for a mirror (which we also had on stage). It was a great start to the series for sure. Next week: Christians are judgmental.
Here's what it looked like from where I was standing - bunch of hypocrites! (tough to take a great picture with the lighting, but you get the idea)
6 comments:
hey jason look up the song instead of a show by jon foreman. it os on his cd call limbs and branches. it would go really well with this series.
another great song to go with this series and with this message is stained glass masquerade by casting crowns...automatically thought it while reading this :)
I think a lot of times the hypocrisy excuse is an...well, excuse. Don't get me wrong, I agree 100% that we need to drop our masks and be real. The problem is that it is our "real" moments that sometimes lead to us being called hypocrites. We speak about patience, but get impatient or angry. We talk about forgiveness, but sometimes hold grudges. It is in those moments that people say, "I thought you were a Christian". At that point we need to be ready to explain that we are in process, and that while we aren't perfect, we are trying to follow Christ's example. Explain that we have the same struggles as anyone else, but we are trying to live the way God wants us to.
If someone is framing the debate in hypocracy,,,,isn't it obvious the debate was framed on a "lifesstyle evaluation"? and to the best of my knowledge and never to be humble opinion.. Christianity is a "faith" and not a religion which entails rule keeping as was stated. Religion would be a man's attempt (rule keeping) to garner God's favor or asswage God's wrath.
I am not saying we should live like the devil...but a lifestyle doesn't merit salvation , and if and when confronted with the objection to Christianity being hypocritical....well...that's just a great opportunity to share the Gospel! (1st Corinthians 15:1-4 followed by Ephesians 1:13)
We are told to...Ephesians 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
And to ..Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
So when you say..take off your mask and stop trying to be something you are not...is disconcerning at best....do you want them to dig up their old man which was supposed to be crucified?...seems the old man has no trouble raising his ugly head all by himself and doesn't really need that kind of encouragement.
It also sounds as if you are discouraging installation of right doctrine when you say.."it;s not so much about following the rules"...and end up with "following the Rulemaker"....well....that same Rule maker as you call Him...is the one that gave the Apostle Paul everything we need to know about salvation and the worthy walk we are to be engaged in...in fact....that same "Rule Maker" would have you follow Paul, for he is OUR pattern...1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
But I guess it just sounds more spiritual to say we are to follow Jesus, get all glassy eyed, and just love love love. When Pauls says we are to follow him as he follows Christ....that would only be according to the information he got from Jesus (the revelation of the mystery Romans 16:25)....not what Jesus was doing in regards to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Haven't you noticed...Paul never uses the word "hypocrite"...but he does use the word "heretik"...and the hairy tick would be the one strapping their people with doctrines other than those given to Paul for this present dispensation of the Grace of God!!..
Grace and Peace!!
2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Dean,
Be very careful about using "heretic"...It sounds like a personal attack and is not welcome. I know you are trying to be generic but in preceeding paragraphs and other posts, you have 'hinted' that what Discovery Church is doing is wrong. I have a feeling that any critisizm that comes your way will only fuel your minority view and paint you as a martyr, but what you are doing is attacking Bible believing Christians who are making a difference in their community and making Jesus famous...
I am not opposed to debate and sharing ideas, but slinging mud is not acceptable!
Kingmaker....I choose my words very carefully...as far as mudslinging..I just don't see it forasmuch as I would never engage in a personal attack. If I couldn't hold my ground and started calling a person , let's use idiot for example, or I said something derogatory towards them in regards to their belief system, I would be guilty indeed.
Maybe a useage of words instead of "heretik" could have been "accursed"...does that one suit you better?...Paul, our apostle uses both. do you have a preference?...or would it be better for you to disregard years of Bible study, just lay down, roll over and play dead when it comes to the defence of the Gospel of the Grace of God. Sorry, I just can't do that, it is way too important to me, and even more important to Christ. If Bible believing Christianity is something you are willing to engage in, then, it requires work.
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
It isn't optional, it is necessary for your clarity of the Gospel, your worthy walk, and what every Christian needs to always remember is the judgement seat of Christ where we will stand one day (if you are saved of course)....and that will be totally about the doctrine in which we operated in while we are here on this earth.
So, please, do NOT ever accuse me of mudslinging, I just don't engage in such childish milk sipping wimpy activities, ok?
Grace and Peace!!
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
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