Bible Reading: Job 8:11-13
“I’d give my life to God in a minute if it weren’t for all of the hypocrites in the church.”
Have you or someone you know thought or said things like this?
While those who have given their lives to Jesus try to live their lives in ways that honor God and show their faith in God to others, they still make mistakes. They aren’t perfect they’re forgiven.
Sadly, there are also some people in the church who say that they believe in God, but they haven’t truly admitted their sin and accepted God’s forgiveness. They say that they are Christians, but their actions aren’t Christ-like. They are pretending to be something that they are not. That’s what a hypocrite is – a person who pretends to be something that he is not. In Job 8:11-13, God said this about such people: “Can the papyrus grow up without a marsh? Can the reeds flourish without water? While it is yet green and not cut down, It withers before any other plant. So are the paths of all who forget God; And the hope of the hypocrite shall perish” (NKJV).
Jesus, however, is not a hypocrite. Jesus is always honest, dependable, and loyal. He always loves us and consistently shows us that love. Jesus can always be trusted to live up to all that He has promised to do.
Don’t let the imperfection and failings of people keep you from accepting the love, forgiveness, and salvation that our perfect God, Jesus, is offering you. Remember, it is Jesus that you are to keep your eyes on and follow, not imperfect people.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:1-3
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to see past human imperfection and inconsistency to Your complete perfection and consistency. In Jesus’ name. Amen.