Web Definitions defines hipocrisy as, "an expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction." In other words, hypocrisy is is pretending and proclaiming to believe something that is not lived out.
One of the requirements of my undergraduate degree was several classes of advanced math and physics. I like both subjects, but I was not the best student at either. In one of my physics classes I met a young man, that I will call Kevin, who was so different from anyone else I had ever met. Kevin seemed to always be on the positive side of bipolar, if that makes sense... Nothing ever seemed to drag him down and every day seemed from my perspective like it was picture perfect for him.
I had several conversations Kevin over the course of the two semesters we had physics together. Over time I learned that Kevin had a very difficult life. He has serious problems at home and work that he had to deal with and ultimately overcome. He struggled along with me in school and was desperately trying to win the attention and affection of a girl he had fallen in love with. Kevin's life was not perfect at all.
Towards the end of the Fall semester Kevin invited me on a skiing trip over a weekend. He said that a bunch of guys from his church were all going to go skiing and offered for me to come along. At that instant I realized what was so different between me and Kevin. I was trudging through life, trying to make something out of nothing and struggling every step of the way. I continuously felt overlooked, frustrated, aggravated, and out numbered. I was trusting in myself, Kevin was trusting in Jesus.
In Luke 12:1b-6 Jesus teaches his disciples about faith,
Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
All to often, we proclaim that we know Jesus and that we trust in God, but fail to live that out in our lives... We say that Jesus is our Lord, but as soon as trouble strikes we act and speak as though God has forgotten about us...
Luke 12 teaches us that God knows us intimately. He is not only fully knowledgeable of our needs, but of every aspect of our being... even down to the number of hairs on our head. When God is so closely watching over us, how is it possible to ever believe that He has forgotten us?
Kevin lived out his faith everyday. He gave me an example of what a living, breathing, walking, talking, true believer looks, talks, and acts like. He didn't have to tell me about Jesus, because He was showing me Jesus in his every move.
I am giving my every moment to Jesus. I am living like a child, trusting that God knows and is able. I want someone else to catch a glimpse of true faith when they see me, instead of another whiff of Christian hypocrisy.
-dRo
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