Posted by
peripheral on Saturday, June 28, 2008 5:16:16 AM
I was just thinking about -
- -
The Christian
Church often hears the word “hypocrite” mentioned as a reason why people stay
away from one Church or another. The comment is: “There are too many Hypocrites
in that Church.” Some have countered that by stating to such people: “well, you
ought to come – we have room for one more.” In the Sermon on the Mount –
Matthew 7:1-3 – Jesus makes the following statement: “Why do you see the
speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your
own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your
eye, when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log
out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of
your brother's eye.” Jesus is indicating
that one can scrutinize another person and disclose the tiniest fault while
never looking into a mirror and seeing one’s own enormous personal fault(s).
One is led to believe that it is ONLY in the Church where
Hypocrisy is found. And yet, yesterday there was a Rally held in Unity, New Hampshire. The
Associated Press (and others) reports the following: “Choosing a small New Hampshire community aptly
named Unity for their first joint appearance since the campaign ended, Obama
and Clinton stood on a platform before thousands of cheering, shouting
supporters and took turns praising each other and urging party solidarity. She
called the nominee-in-waiting a standup guy and he declared: "She rocks.
She rocks….Clinton noted that they had stood "toe to toe" against
each other in a primary season fight that began almost two years ago and
declared the time has come to "stand shoulder to shoulder" against
the GOP….Despite the praise and smiles between the two, some in the crowd still
sensed a space between them. Their embraces were slightly awkward, and Clinton stood with her
hands clasped formally in front of her as Obama spoke.”
A
resident who observed at the event indicated: “I think she's usually a
wonderful public speaker, and so is he, but she looked a little stiff and the
whole thing wasn't entirely comfortable." And - the
Headline in the Drudge Report is revealing. It states: “YEAH, RIGHT”… The
American Heritage Dictionary gives this definition for the word Hypocrisy: “The practice of
professing beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess;
falseness.” The World Net Dictionary defines it as: “an expression of agreement
that is not supported by real conviction.”
In Job 8:10-15 (NKJV), Bildad the Shuhite inquiries
rhetorically of Job, “Will they not teach you and tell you, and utter words from their
heart? 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, Whose confidence
shall be cut off, and whose trust is a spider's web. He leans on his house, but
it does not stand. He holds it fast, but it does not endure.” Bildad is trying
to strip away any confidence that Job could have in God and give subtle
suggestion that Job’s issues are due to his hypocrisy. . He even asks earlier
in this Chapter 8:4-6, “If your sons have sinned against Him, He has cast them
away for their transgression. If you would earnestly seek God and make your
supplication to the Almighty, if you were pure and upright, surely now He would
awake for you…”
It seems as though our culture continues to display that it
has lost its way. Both Integrity and Genuineness are relegated to a secondary
place in dialogue and practice. We “play act” like performers on a stage and
wonder why (a) God doesn’t bless us individually, and (b) why God’s hand seems
to be removed from the guidance and preservation of our nation. Hypocrisy and
Vulnerability have a way of going hand-in-hand.
Think about this with me - - -