“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” – Matthew 6:6
Why do you think so many people don’t want to go to church?
Is it because they want to sleep late on Sunday morning?
Or maybe they were forced to go to church every time the doors were open as children and are rebelling?
Perhaps they are afraid if they go to church, the sermon might make them feel uncomfortable or maybe even guilty.
All of these are potential reasons, but one of the main criticisms of the Christian church today continues to be about all the hypocrisy and, no doubt, there’s a ton of it. Interestingly enough, most people outside the church don’t realize how much Jesus hates hypocrisy, as well.
In His most famous sermon, He blasted “showy” giving and praying that was designed to impress others, rather than to please God and help our fellow man.
He says the best way to give to others is to do it anonymously. The best way to pray is to seek out a place to be alone with God and privately pour out your heart to Him.
It’s not that Jesus is down on doing good things publicly; it’s the motive that matters to God.
One thing’s for sure…showy religious hypocrites don’t impress God at all.
PLEASE don’t miss out on Jesus Christ because of the hypocrisy in the church!
Yes, hypocrisy is there and it will be there until Jesus comes again, because we’re all human and have a sinful nature. But take your eyes off of the people in the church and get a fresh look at Jesus in God’s Word. The more you see, the more you’ll like, it because He despises hypocrisy even more than you do.
What are your motives?
Written by Bryant Wright, Founder, RFTH