#2542 0211 18P

            The title challenges us to look within our heart and at our attitudes, and to admit if we have called ourselves a Christian, but are not following Christ by—holding some bitterness or hard feelings against someone; or by re senting something said or done to us. To say we follow Christ, but do not forgive another, we are saying one thing, but being something else—that is hypocrisy and must be corrected. 

            The Christian life is one of continual learning, forgiving, progressing, and advancing in our knowledge of Christ. Jesus said John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Phillippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” And He always forgave everyone.

            Jesus calls us to a life that learns spiritual lessons of faith, forgiveness, and being willing to correct attitudes, activities, or anything that is not in agreement with the will of God. Many people quote Bible verses, but may not be living Bible Truth. Having a knowledge of God does not always result in living a godly life.

            The Gallup organization did a study of religious life in America. A high percentage accept the Bible as the Word of God and they claim to have faith, but this has had little impact on their life. Just saying we have faith in God, can make little difference in our life, if no commitment accompanies that statement. 1 John 2:6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

            Therefore, millions of Americans claim to have been born again, but if this has had little impact on their lives, then they are still in spiritual infancy—they have not rid themselves of all hypocrisy. Hebrews 5:13 “By people who live on milk I mean those who are imperfectly acquainted with the teaching concerning righteousness.”

            When we think of the spitefulness, animosity, hatred, hostility, and wickedness in the world today, it is apparent that claims of Christianity may be many, but the walk of faith in Christ, are far too few. 1 Peter 2:1 “Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander [evil speakings] of every kind. 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.”

            We are to grow in our knowledge of Christ and maintain a childlike faith in God. Mark 10:15 “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” Living God’s Truth means living by faith in Him.

            Children trust their parents and take them at their word, so we are to trust God and take Him at His Word. Although children can rebel as they grow in years, due to the sin nature within, that rebellion has no place in God's kingdom. Born again Christians maintain and remain in an attitude of childlike faith in God.    

            A mature believer never outgrows this childlike faith in God for the issues of this life—for protection; divine healing; spiritual guidance; everyday finances, and for eternal salvation. Saying we are saved, but not living like a believer, is a false doctrine that says, once a person makes a decision for Christ, it is not necessary that He also be their Lord.

            Such surface faith is accepted by millions professing faith in Christ today. Jesus said John 12:25 “He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Jesus is warning that our soul can be lost by wrong choices in life—and He stated that four times so we would not miss it—Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 17, and John 12.

            Jesus was speaking to a mixed crowd of people—both saved and unsaved—and He wanted believers to know they could lose their soul by unscriptural decisions or worldly lifestyles. Mark 8:35 “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.”

            We have to love the Lord Jesus more than our own lives and more than our families to be worthy of Him. To follow Jesus as His disciple, and not be a hypocrite, we must have a childlike faith in Him. It is an active, living, and continuing faith in His Atonement Blood sacrifice for us.

            The apostle said that God Romans 2:6 “Will render to every man according to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing—[persistence in doing good] seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness [follow evil], indignation and wrath [and anger].”

            A follower of Jesus is a disciple of His—the word disciple can be substituted with beginner; novice; or student who is learning by being enrolled in His school of lessons. A disciple of Christ is a reader of the Bible. Jesus told some who did not believe Him—John 5:39 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” No one enters Heaven unless they faithfully follow the Son every day.

            The Bible is a revelation of God's Truth, so our quest for eternal life begins by reading the Scriptures and depending on the Holy Spirit for wisdom. Many read the Bible for ten or fifteen minutes, but it was said: Few disciplines can be understood by such brief attention unquote. Growing in our knowledge of God requires a more serious effort than a few minutes of devotional reading.

            Oxygen is a necessary condition for fire, but the presence of oxygen is not sufficient in itself to make fire. Likewise, sound doctrine is necessary for a godly life, but not sufficient in itself to ignite the desire to live it. We need the Holy Spirit to inspire faith in us and to guide our walk every day.

            No one on earth could miss the fact that there is a divine Creator, unless they deliberately ignore the evidence of His Creation. The God who is revealed in nature is the same God revealed in Scripture. It takes more than smelling the flowers—their very design and color gives evidence of a Creator. It is this rejection of God that brings on the Tribulation.

            Romans 1:18 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.”

            There is no such thing as mother nature, for nature itself is powerless to create life or produce anything. The power to create life resides only with God—we must never confuse the creature with the Creator. Any form of worshiping nature is idolatry and is detestable to God.

            Since the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, so the rejection of God is the height of foolishness. Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.” Any heart that is ready to learn, God is willing to teach His Truth. From the expanse of the universe, to the smallest of molecules, our God is an awesome God!

            The Holy Spirit communicated the very words of God through human writers. God is the ruler of His universe, and He demands we live according to His moral code of Truth. His standard of living is explained in Scripture—we are required to read it and be willing to live it by the power of His Spirit.

            If we claim to be following Christ, but are not listening to His instructions, nor following Him on some life issue—whether it be a financial matter; faith for healing; or forgiving a wrong, that is hypocrisy, and must be corrected. 

            Old Testament prophets called the people back to worship the true God and to obey His commands. These Prophets spoke with divine authority because God called them to be His spokesmen. False prophets, however, instead of speaking the truth, told people what they wanted to hear. They did not give the full counsel of God Acts 20:27.

            The US government appoints nine Supreme Court Justices to interpret the Constitution—but to interpret the Bible correctly is a far more solemn task. We are to interpret the Bible as it is written, and not by opinion or prejudice. We read to know what God is saying in His Word. The message of the Bible can be understood by a child—it is to trust God in faith.

            A major truth of God’s Word is, that if we sin—1 John 2:1 “We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” That is a vital truth we need to know; but how many really want to know the Truth, and how many really desire to walk in the light of it—that is the issue.

            Jesus asked that question—Luke 18:8 “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?” 1 John 5:12 “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

            Our search for truth and ridding ourselves of all hypocrisy includes keeping our faith on the Atonement Blood of Christ. We are saved by grace Ephesians 2:8-9, but we can fall from grace Galatians 5:2-4. We are justified by faith Romans 5:1, but we can shipwreck our faith 1 Timothy 1:19-20. We are not under the law Romans 6:14-15, but if we live according to the sinful nature we will die Romans 8:13.

            God is faithful to us 1 John 1:9, but we must be faithful to Him to the very end of our lives to escape the Lake of Fire Revelation 2:10 “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” 11 “He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” With God’s help, we have to overcome all hypocrisy—what we claim to be, must be what we really are.

            The apostle gives this advice Galatians 6:8 “He who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Getting rid of all hypocrisy means following the leading of the Holy Spirit.