Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, after His likeness (Gen. 1:26). But in Adam’s sin, the human race was given over to corruption (Rom. 5:12-21). We are still image-bearers (Gen. 9:6; James 3:9), but the image has been distorted (Gen. 6:5; Eccles. 7:29). The goal of sanctification is the renewal of this image. The holy person is being renewed in knowledge after the image of the Creator (Col. 3:10), which means growing in righteousness and holiness (Eph. 4:24). This does not happen all at once, but rather, we are transformed into the image of God one degree of glory to another (2 Cor. 3:18). God is holy, so most basically being holy means being like God. This is why it’s so critical that Christians know the character and work of the one they worship. If you want to know what holiness looks like, look at God.
Kevin DeYoung

Too Many Hypocrites

Too Many Hypocrites “TOO MANY HYPOCRITES”

“Oh, I don’t go to church. The church is full of hypocrites!”

A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be something other than what he or she actually is.

You need to know that you cannot use the real or imagined failures of other people as an excuse before God for your own sins. The apostle Paul warns,

“So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12 NKJ)

You must stand before God for YOURSELF, and you will be sentenced for YOUR OWN sins,

UNLESS…you receive Jesus Christ as your substitute sin-bearer, and the Lord of your life.

When you receive the Lord Jesus and confess your faith in Him, you are NOT proclaiming to the world that you have suddenly become perfect. When you confess Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, you are not announcing that you will never again sin or stumble or make mistakes.

You ARE admitting publicly that you were a sinner, were helpless on your own, were in desperate need of God’s provision for the problem, and have now received the free forgiveness that God purchased for you and has offered you.

The Bible does NOT teach that Christians or even preachers will never fall into sin. The Bible observes that even leaders in the church might continue secretly in sin for a time, perhaps not even being exposed until Judgment Day. This does not mean anybody “gets away with” sin, or that God doesn’t disapprove. God hates sin so much that He killed His Son on the cross because of it, to be the only atoning sacrifice He would accept in the place of sinners who trust in Him.

You need to be more concerned about your own eternal destiny, than that of others who may or may not be fakes.

Certainly there are hypocrites in churches. If you hate hypocrites, don’t spend eternity in Hell with them.

Put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, and become a “real” Christian today.

[Clyde Price, Arrows20]

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