Are Christians perfect? Are Christians hypocrites?
The easy answer is, ‘no, Christians are not perfect.’ But hypocrisy? That’s a hard one to answer. I think the central core of Christianity should be one that is against hypocrisy, but we are still human and we still sin. Jesus even preached about being mindful not to fall into hypocrisy in Matthew 6. So doesn’t that mean that we, as humans, are prone to be hypocrites? But who wants to read a blog post that talks about how we are hypocrites? I don’t and I certainly don’t want to write about being a hypocrite.
But surely, I have been a hypocrite.
In fact, I know I have said one thing and then when backs are turned, I do that thing. I know I have done things to be seen in a good light. Whether it is to get the attention of a cute guy or not. Have you ever done that before? You know, you see a cute guy and think to yourself, “I am going to chat with this little kid or pick up trash, then he’ll see I am good with kids, and I am environmentally friendly.”
We were born in a fallen world. We “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23),” We are not perfect, and we are not expected to be so. However, in Romans 3:24, it continues with, “and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Because of Jesus Christ being the “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6) and that He died on the cross, we are able to have eternal life (read, Heaven).
So, does that mean if we pray the prayer, admit we are a sinner, believe that Christ died for us, and confess with our mouths that Christ is our Lord, we no longer sin? We are of perfection? No, of course not, we are still tempted daily. That’s why we have Scripture to help us live according to His Word.
Matthew 6:1-4 — Jesus preached on how to give. He warned not to be self-righteous and to instead give quietly and in secret. As I read that passage, I can’t help but smile at verse 2, “so whenever you give to the poor, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be applauded by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward.” It made me think how in stores, they ask you if you would like to round up and donate to a local charity. Some stores ring a bell if you say yes. It might not be a trumpet sound, but isn’t it the same thing? I wonder what would happen if you say yes, then request that the cashier does not ring the bell.
Matthew 6:5-8 — This passage is about how to pray. Jesus warned us not to pray standing up in church or on the street corner. Instead, He said to go into a private room, shut the door, and pray to your Father in secret. Even right after it is the Lord’s Prayer and it does not say to give us riches and wealth, but to give us our daily bread. Give to us what we need in the moment. I don’t know about you but praying for what I need in the moment is hard to do. I like ask God for things, don’t you? But in the Lord’s Prayer, it is about being in the moment and trusting the Father.
Matthew 6:16-18 — This passage is about fasting. Have you ever fasted? The first time I fasted was in college and I did not fully understand what fasting meant. I joined in because other people did so. It was not until graduate school when a friend told me with fasting one must replace what they are fasting with God. That was a lightbulb moment. Before when I fasted, I would get dizzy and had to stop and eat. I felt a little ashamed that I needed to quit. I was fasting for the wrong reasons. Fasting is to practice your discipline and closeness to God, not to be in the in-crowd and it is done so in secret.
Matthew 6:19-24 — This passage is about possessions. Verse 21 says it beautifully, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” When we die, we are not taking our belongings with us to Heaven. Our earthly possessions are going to stay here. Some are going to be passed to family and friends and others are going to the estate sale. Do you value your physical belongings, or do you value something much more?
One thing that struck me is in these passages; there is one common theme – secrecy. Jesus knew that humans want things. So, he took time and explained that through Him, we want for nothing. We have our needs met and don’t have to worry about tomorrow. So, He takes the time to explain how to give, how to pray, how to fast, and how to value possessions in a way that would draw us closer to God and not to the world.
I am not perfect. No one is except for the Father, the Son, and the Spirit. That’s okay. We don’t have to be perfect; we just have to follow and live a life that glorifies Him. We have the Bible to tell us how to and the Bible was authored by God (2 Timothy 3:16).
Elizabeth