From Hypocrisy To Sincerity
I sometimes don't know what is more frustrating; speaking and eventually debating with someone who calls themselves a Christian over things of faith... or speaking and later debating with a nonbeliever / skeptic about things of faith.
I am sure the turn-off skeptics experience from a deluge of lip service from a 'Christian' responding with scripture, coupled with a continued barrage of religious talk while failing to relate or speak in a relative tense, must be a reason why Christ isn't revealed in the believer's behavior. The continued extrapolation to the skeptic furthers them into confusion rather than revealing anything to them. The religiously pompous person is seen as completely far removed from reality and unable to have a grounded conversation and unable to speak to the common senses of the listener. Instead of meeting the skeptic where they are and considering them a better person than oneself, the religious think they must be like a preacher behind the podium and need to continue on with their platitudes and finely tuned arguments supporting their version of faith rather than using nature or regular life as analogies to spur curiosity and faith in the skeptic. Just the same as how Yeshua spoke figuratively about spiritual themes, so should the purveyor of the faith use what is figuratively understandable to the listener.
I've been this person I'm describing far too many times and I'm ashamed to have left others in a lurch. Instead of speaking to them as a friend and instead of speaking to them like an interested person or someone they can relate to and be considered an ally in this experience of life we both share, I have attempted to rise myself above as if 'that' is what will help them. How foolish of me to go against the Way and manner in which Yeshua exemplified the teaching to His disciples.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law ( though I myself am not under the law ), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law ( though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law ), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
What is of great frustration when speaking to some religious people and what becomes so tasking when speaking with someone who shares your same faithful perspective is when they cannot put their pride aside to see something different or God's hand working in the slightest of ways. They instead are sometimes quick to call evil something that may very well carry God's good purpose. They call it evil because they are either nearsighted, or their faith lacks the inclusion of the impossible, or they have been taught by man that miracles have ceased to occur and anything leaning toward a miracle is a manifestation of evil made to deceive. These assumptions can be no further from the truth as God desires to express His truth.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:28
The book of Acts showcases that it wasn't the job of the disciples to change cultures and the many traditions within these cultures, but to simply introduce and magnify the reality of the God the world has had hunches about or were worshiping in all kinds of ways outside of the intimate relationship Yeshua fulfilled and exemplified. Their job wasn't to 'change' culture at-large, but deposit the gospel and water it to grow as God would will it to grow.
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
- Acts 15:19-20
Their aim wasn't to make gentiles resemble and live like Jews... but to help them become children of God from the inside out ( as only God's Spirit can do ). And although there is value in being conscious of outer appearances, why do some religions believe they are nearer or will come nearer to the Divine by the dress, coverings or strict regulations in outerwear they demand of their congregation? The gospel is sent out to align and reform what is misaligned and formless, to clarify what is complicated and to set free what religious dogma has bounded. And when the spirit speaks to the conscience and heart of the believer, then the believer begins to make strides in propriety... and this permeates even the choice of outerwear as well as media, places to visit and furthermore... or so seems to be the growth in those who continuously search for God and His Way.
Some of today's so-called Christians cannot see past their state-sanctioned blend of Christianity ( you know, the one that justifies war and killing people for whatever reason yet still says they follow "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemy" ). There is no evidence in scripture that Christ taught people to love their enemies in one instance and then taught them to do away with 'enemies' in another instance ( that is religion and typical contradictory teachings of men ). The religious Christian who follows their branded religion of Christianity bless some people in His Name while in the same breath condemn other people they don't even know. These faithless believers are automatically fearful of others because their teevee or their preacher identified these strangers with "this is the enemy."
What does the Way teach?
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
- Luke 6:35-36
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Romans 12:9-21
I too used to be this religious Christian who would simply accept and believe whatever the news propaganda would feed me or whatever the pastor behind the pulpit would opine or 'teach' me as to who the enemy was. I was taught and would end friendships simply because my friends weren't running after me to become a Christian. It is embarrassing today to think of the many I may have misled due to my ignorance and parroting of other men instead of my humble imitation of the perfect example of Yeshua Christ. It is sad to think of the many friendships I let slip away because I didn't have faith enough ( and was following the dogmatic teachings of men ) to keep a friend while not doing things which were dishonorable in God's sight.
Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
- Isaiah 8:12-13
Prior to coming to faith, this is how I would view most of the religious who would speak to me with the many repeated platitudes they heard from their favorite minister: unreachable, unapproachable and not able to relate... and this is not the example of Yeshua Christ.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
- Matthew 11:29-30
I would also see no power in their life or in their own personal convictions of the Word of God nor their real-world battles with sin, temptation and what eats at every man and woman on the inside on a daily basis. The ministers I would speak to also kept a tight lip on their weaknesses, perhaps for fear that the congregation would lose faith in them and see them as human, yet that is the power of embracing your weakness so God's strength can be magnified. And I don't mean I didn't see miracles or that I needed to see miracles, I mean I didn't see nor hear about their real struggles... they would come across as if they had no battles or challenges with sin. They came across as sinless, and this is quite the contradiction in how the early disciples described and shared their lives. There was only One who was without sin.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
- 1 Peter 2:22 / Isaiah 53:9b
It wasn't until someone actually spoke to me with honesty and sobriety to who they were before and who they are now with Christ ( not yet made perfect, but growing closer to the Light day by day and learning how to get up after falling down ) that I began to listen... or should I say, the spirit inside of me began to listen and my heart began to respond.
I remember asking a man in church close to the ministerial circles why women are always put on display to confess their sins during the 'communion' part of the 'service' while men and hardly never a minister gets up there and opens their heart up. His response was that if the minister were to confess their sins, such things may hurt the faith of the listeners, since it is assumed the minister is the one with the most faith in any given congregation. Imagine that. What a major issue of pride and fear. To think that the minister is the ceiling of faith in any given congregation. No wonder there is so much division among believers. No wonder there is so much stifling of the Holy Spirit ( which resides in the believer, not only in those titled by administrators of organized religions ). No wonder so many do not see God moving or see miracles in the Name of Yeshua, for far too many are trapped within the box of the faith of so few without personally / individually exploring the gift of faith God grants to those who believe... and which is poured out without limit.
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
- John 3:34
What a load of religious and faithless baloney I was forwarding to others prior to being led to follow God on His terms and according to His Way and according to the faith He has allotted me. A turning point for me was ceasing the faithlessness and skepticism from what others have opined and prescribed for me and instead continuing the faithful journey of seeking God with all of my heart, mind soul and strength. It is a personal and individual journey aside from the codependency some organizations have you follow. Before one thinks they will gain strength by being part of a group they need to recognize that their faith, their prayers to God in private and their moment to moment consciousness in their walk with God is where His strength grows from, not from outward affiliations or the repeating of rituals of groups. Fellowship is amazing and a necessary part of the Way, but fellowship with the faithless isn't edifying to one another nor to God, but is quite empty and built on the efforts of the flesh.
This explains why pride is puffed up in the hearts of those seen to be 'leaders' when regular folks in the congregation make great leaps and bounds in their walk with God and step up to challenge the pattern of religion the spirit inside of them is encouraging them to challenge. Yet, when reform and revival is being shouted from the hearts of the laity ( from the Spirit living within the believers ), the clergy is challenged with continuing the tried and true application of their job description or repent along with the fired-up faithful... and guess what wins over mostly? The pride of the clergy, protecting their positions, their jobs and their dignity and the 'stability' of repetitive religion usually trumps the revival the Spirit is evidencing in the laity... and this is why splinters arise and some believers leave organized religion in pursuit of the Way or a home where their faith is being expressed. This is why some begin to think that any particular group or groups not of their fold are not 'going to make it' to heaven. Many false teachings and false doctrines based in fear stem from this sad point of view.
God's grace is greater than the diminutive point of view of those still growing in their faith, even some who call themselves 'apostles' or 'prophets' yet they are not revealing anything new, not prophesying something which later actually happens, but forwarding something obscure, built around financial security and superstition ( you could research many movements like this and see what they really are all about ).
I of course am speaking from personal experience attending a particular blend of Christianity and from my journeys through other congregations and witnessing the manner in which others 'worship.' You the reader may have experienced something totally different or perhaps some things somewhat similar.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
- John 4:23-24
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:1-2
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20
I am sure the turn-off skeptics experience from a deluge of lip service from a 'Christian' responding with scripture, coupled with a continued barrage of religious talk while failing to relate or speak in a relative tense, must be a reason why Christ isn't revealed in the believer's behavior. The continued extrapolation to the skeptic furthers them into confusion rather than revealing anything to them. The religiously pompous person is seen as completely far removed from reality and unable to have a grounded conversation and unable to speak to the common senses of the listener. Instead of meeting the skeptic where they are and considering them a better person than oneself, the religious think they must be like a preacher behind the podium and need to continue on with their platitudes and finely tuned arguments supporting their version of faith rather than using nature or regular life as analogies to spur curiosity and faith in the skeptic. Just the same as how Yeshua spoke figuratively about spiritual themes, so should the purveyor of the faith use what is figuratively understandable to the listener.
I've been this person I'm describing far too many times and I'm ashamed to have left others in a lurch. Instead of speaking to them as a friend and instead of speaking to them like an interested person or someone they can relate to and be considered an ally in this experience of life we both share, I have attempted to rise myself above as if 'that' is what will help them. How foolish of me to go against the Way and manner in which Yeshua exemplified the teaching to His disciples.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law ( though I myself am not under the law ), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law ( though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law ), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
What is of great frustration when speaking to some religious people and what becomes so tasking when speaking with someone who shares your same faithful perspective is when they cannot put their pride aside to see something different or God's hand working in the slightest of ways. They instead are sometimes quick to call evil something that may very well carry God's good purpose. They call it evil because they are either nearsighted, or their faith lacks the inclusion of the impossible, or they have been taught by man that miracles have ceased to occur and anything leaning toward a miracle is a manifestation of evil made to deceive. These assumptions can be no further from the truth as God desires to express His truth.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:28
The book of Acts showcases that it wasn't the job of the disciples to change cultures and the many traditions within these cultures, but to simply introduce and magnify the reality of the God the world has had hunches about or were worshiping in all kinds of ways outside of the intimate relationship Yeshua fulfilled and exemplified. Their job wasn't to 'change' culture at-large, but deposit the gospel and water it to grow as God would will it to grow.
It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.
- Acts 15:19-20
Their aim wasn't to make gentiles resemble and live like Jews... but to help them become children of God from the inside out ( as only God's Spirit can do ). And although there is value in being conscious of outer appearances, why do some religions believe they are nearer or will come nearer to the Divine by the dress, coverings or strict regulations in outerwear they demand of their congregation? The gospel is sent out to align and reform what is misaligned and formless, to clarify what is complicated and to set free what religious dogma has bounded. And when the spirit speaks to the conscience and heart of the believer, then the believer begins to make strides in propriety... and this permeates even the choice of outerwear as well as media, places to visit and furthermore... or so seems to be the growth in those who continuously search for God and His Way.
Some of today's so-called Christians cannot see past their state-sanctioned blend of Christianity ( you know, the one that justifies war and killing people for whatever reason yet still says they follow "turn the other cheek" and "love your enemy" ). There is no evidence in scripture that Christ taught people to love their enemies in one instance and then taught them to do away with 'enemies' in another instance ( that is religion and typical contradictory teachings of men ). The religious Christian who follows their branded religion of Christianity bless some people in His Name while in the same breath condemn other people they don't even know. These faithless believers are automatically fearful of others because their teevee or their preacher identified these strangers with "this is the enemy."
What does the Way teach?
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
- Luke 6:35-36
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Romans 12:9-21
I too used to be this religious Christian who would simply accept and believe whatever the news propaganda would feed me or whatever the pastor behind the pulpit would opine or 'teach' me as to who the enemy was. I was taught and would end friendships simply because my friends weren't running after me to become a Christian. It is embarrassing today to think of the many I may have misled due to my ignorance and parroting of other men instead of my humble imitation of the perfect example of Yeshua Christ. It is sad to think of the many friendships I let slip away because I didn't have faith enough ( and was following the dogmatic teachings of men ) to keep a friend while not doing things which were dishonorable in God's sight.
Do not call conspiracy everything this people calls a conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy, he is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread.
- Isaiah 8:12-13
Prior to coming to faith, this is how I would view most of the religious who would speak to me with the many repeated platitudes they heard from their favorite minister: unreachable, unapproachable and not able to relate... and this is not the example of Yeshua Christ.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
- Matthew 11:29-30
I would also see no power in their life or in their own personal convictions of the Word of God nor their real-world battles with sin, temptation and what eats at every man and woman on the inside on a daily basis. The ministers I would speak to also kept a tight lip on their weaknesses, perhaps for fear that the congregation would lose faith in them and see them as human, yet that is the power of embracing your weakness so God's strength can be magnified. And I don't mean I didn't see miracles or that I needed to see miracles, I mean I didn't see nor hear about their real struggles... they would come across as if they had no battles or challenges with sin. They came across as sinless, and this is quite the contradiction in how the early disciples described and shared their lives. There was only One who was without sin.
That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- 2 Corinthians 12:10
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
- 1 Peter 2:22 / Isaiah 53:9b
It wasn't until someone actually spoke to me with honesty and sobriety to who they were before and who they are now with Christ ( not yet made perfect, but growing closer to the Light day by day and learning how to get up after falling down ) that I began to listen... or should I say, the spirit inside of me began to listen and my heart began to respond.
I remember asking a man in church close to the ministerial circles why women are always put on display to confess their sins during the 'communion' part of the 'service' while men and hardly never a minister gets up there and opens their heart up. His response was that if the minister were to confess their sins, such things may hurt the faith of the listeners, since it is assumed the minister is the one with the most faith in any given congregation. Imagine that. What a major issue of pride and fear. To think that the minister is the ceiling of faith in any given congregation. No wonder there is so much division among believers. No wonder there is so much stifling of the Holy Spirit ( which resides in the believer, not only in those titled by administrators of organized religions ). No wonder so many do not see God moving or see miracles in the Name of Yeshua, for far too many are trapped within the box of the faith of so few without personally / individually exploring the gift of faith God grants to those who believe... and which is poured out without limit.
For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
- John 3:34
What a load of religious and faithless baloney I was forwarding to others prior to being led to follow God on His terms and according to His Way and according to the faith He has allotted me. A turning point for me was ceasing the faithlessness and skepticism from what others have opined and prescribed for me and instead continuing the faithful journey of seeking God with all of my heart, mind soul and strength. It is a personal and individual journey aside from the codependency some organizations have you follow. Before one thinks they will gain strength by being part of a group they need to recognize that their faith, their prayers to God in private and their moment to moment consciousness in their walk with God is where His strength grows from, not from outward affiliations or the repeating of rituals of groups. Fellowship is amazing and a necessary part of the Way, but fellowship with the faithless isn't edifying to one another nor to God, but is quite empty and built on the efforts of the flesh.
This explains why pride is puffed up in the hearts of those seen to be 'leaders' when regular folks in the congregation make great leaps and bounds in their walk with God and step up to challenge the pattern of religion the spirit inside of them is encouraging them to challenge. Yet, when reform and revival is being shouted from the hearts of the laity ( from the Spirit living within the believers ), the clergy is challenged with continuing the tried and true application of their job description or repent along with the fired-up faithful... and guess what wins over mostly? The pride of the clergy, protecting their positions, their jobs and their dignity and the 'stability' of repetitive religion usually trumps the revival the Spirit is evidencing in the laity... and this is why splinters arise and some believers leave organized religion in pursuit of the Way or a home where their faith is being expressed. This is why some begin to think that any particular group or groups not of their fold are not 'going to make it' to heaven. Many false teachings and false doctrines based in fear stem from this sad point of view.
God's grace is greater than the diminutive point of view of those still growing in their faith, even some who call themselves 'apostles' or 'prophets' yet they are not revealing anything new, not prophesying something which later actually happens, but forwarding something obscure, built around financial security and superstition ( you could research many movements like this and see what they really are all about ).
I of course am speaking from personal experience attending a particular blend of Christianity and from my journeys through other congregations and witnessing the manner in which others 'worship.' You the reader may have experienced something totally different or perhaps some things somewhat similar.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.
- John 4:23-24
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.
- Romans 12:1-2
Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
- 1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
- 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
- Galatians 2:20
Comments