Last night I had a conversation with Dan that made me realize today that I'm a hypocrite. I'm a hypocrite who calls others a hypocrite (isn't that a mouthful?) This is what I mean: I see others say something and then do another and then they go around and talk about others being hypocrites. I then dislike those people and begin to think them hypocrites, all the while, ignorantly saying things and doing the opposite. So basically, I'm a hypocrite of hypocrites. Does that make sense? You know, I think no one is immuned to this. As long as you judge, you will be a hypocrite. As long as you make assumptions, you will be a hypocrite.
Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-6,
"Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
And not only will you be a hypocrite, but that you live in a bondage under your own judgment, especially if you're the kind who tries not to be a hypocrite. Because if you don't want to be a hypocrite, then you'll have to do what you say. So when you criticize other people about a particular issue, you'll try hard to not do the same. Then you become a slave to your own law. Let me give you an example:
I think someone is fat and I criticize him/her for it. Then I would put it on myself to not be fat. I would try very hard to not be fat - probably try any method, maybe even unhealthy ones. And if I do end up being fat, then I would have low self-esteem because I would think that other people think I'm fat and would laugh at me. Then it's a downward spiral.
And I can even apply it for those around me - my loved ones. What if my child hears me talk about other people like that and he/she realized that I don't like people who are fat, so then they go and try any method to be thin? I didn't mean to direct those comments at them because I love them, but they don't understand that. And then they'll begin to criticize others as well.
Did you get my point? That's harsh, huh? What if I told you that this happens not only in our secular society but also in Christian circles? This hypocrisy concept can be applied to everything you can think of. I work harder and longer than that person in ministry, my way of salvation is the right one, I'm in 3 ministries and she's only in one, spiritually-gifted people criticizing the oppositedly-gifted people, spiritually-gifted people criticizing the people with the same gifts, etc.
The list goes on and on. So what now? I'm one of those who tries not to be a hypocrite. The humbling thing is, the more I try to not be a hypocrite, the more I find myself to be one. It is a battle I have not won and will never win until I'm made perfect in Christ Jesus in heaven. All I can do right now in this life is to try to obey Christ's commands with God's help and with His transforming power. This is a race that I have to continue to run until it's finished in heaven. It's a journey - one with ups and downs, sins and confessions, hurt and repentence, forgiveness and mercy, love and grace.
Oh my God, thank You for saving me. Thank You for sending Your only Son to take my punishment and to wipe my sins away. Thank You for Your love and mercy. Oh, God, who am I that You're mindful of me? I do not deserve this. But I thank You for it. I'm so grateful, LORD. I'm so thankful...
In Jesus' precious name and precious blood I pray, Amen.
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