A complaint we often hear from those outside the Church is why are there so many hypocrites in the church? It comes down to intent.
Since *those of us within the church are given a clear standard of conduct we feel compelled to conform our behavior to this standard, if only through peer pressure. However, if we are *not in Christ and compelled by his love, this is the wrong reason. We may be kind, thoughtful and loving on the outside but in truth are not doing it to honor God but simply to fit into the prescribed and expected behavior.
When we do, we bring honor only to ourselves in the eyes of others. As Christ said, we have our reward i.e. the praise of men vs God. God, however, has nothing to do with any of this. This becomes apparent when real love requiring sacrifice is called for. When it is, it's not there. This was the very same issue with the Pharisees. They did things to be seen of men not to honor God.
This is the core reason some within the church are hypocrites. It has nothing to do with the church necessarily. All groups, associations, and memberships have hypocrites within their ranks. It may have nothing to do with what an individual church teaches and everything to do with what individuals within the church believe. It actually may indicate that many churchgoers are not true believers at all or at least not looking to Christ as their primary source of love, identity, meaning, and purpose.
For a discussion on "cultural Christians" vs true believers click here.
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For a discussion on "cultural Christians" vs true believers click here.
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* I distinguish between churchgoers and true followers of Christ not only because we can observe the difference in the values, attitude, and actions, but also because Christ makes this distinction in the following passages.
And by their fruits -- what kind -- you will know them.
The parable of the wheat and weeds (tares)
Christ declaring he never knew some who had done many works "in his name."
