It is highly likely that sometime
in your Christian walk, someone will call you a Hypocrite. That someone may be
another Believer or a Non-Believer. It
does not matter, wherever it comes from, the accusation will hurt. When we are commanded to love one another,
friends and enemies alike, it is always painful when someone calls you a fake. A description of a hypocrite is one who
“pretends to be someone or something that they are not”. In other words, a fake. The claim that we “call ourselves a
Christian” or “Men/Women of God” when our actions are perceived to fall short
of God’s commandment/s is always the basis for the accusation. The best
response is probably to use the accusation as a catalyst for self examination.
Sure, there are a lot of people
who call themselves Christians, but are not. They are religious for their own purposes,
but do not seek to please God. (See my post on the Three Paths.) But, being a
true and genuine Christian does not mean you are perfect—far from it. It has been written than an accurate
description of the Christian “Church” is a “hospital” to minister to people
with shortcomings and problems--not a “museum” or “showroom” that displays
perfect or superior people. Jesus tells
us that he came to benefit the sick, not the healthy. Aiming for perfection does not mean we will
achieve it by ourselves. As Christians, our faith is
credited to us as righteousness—not our works---as is taught in Romans 4.
When someone calls a Christian a
hypocrite, they are really saying, “You are a sinner and are less than
perfect—how can you be critical of others’s failures?” In calling us a sinner--they
are correct—we are all sinners and all fall short of perfection. No one except Jesus himself can escape the
charge of “Hypocrite” if being a hypocrite is just another name for a “sinner”.
So the real issue is the being “critical
of other’s failures”.
When we are “in the world” and especially when
engaged in competitive activities, we are particularly at risk for being called
a Hypocrite. For when “in the world” we
are required to confront circumstances and people on occasion—especially when
we perceive there is a violation of the rules, a potential for danger, or some
form of injustice.
People in business are faced with
issues regarding the collection of money, enforcement of contracts and legitimate
discipline or termination of employees. There will be many who accuse the Christian
businessman of being uncharitable, greedy or harsh--when he is only doing what
is necessary and proper---expecting and requiring others to live according to
the rules. Controversies among sports
competitors many times can arise when one perceives another is “playing unfair”
or is “breaking the rules”.
Our Lord and Savior has taught in
Matthew 7 that Christians should avoid judging others: “You hypocrite, first
take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the
speck out of your brothers eye”. As
Christians we are taught not to condemn others.
So if we are not to “judge” and we are not to “condemn”, then how on
earth can we also be called on to “confront” injustice or evil? How on earth could a Christian serve on a Jury
without being called a Hypocrite?
I think the answer is to act
according to our belief that “calling ourselves a Christian” means we call
Jesus our Lord and “try” to follow Christ’s teachings according to his words
and the example he set.
Accusing someone of breaking the
rules, of putting themselves and/or others in danger, or of committing an
injustice, does not require that we judge them or condemn them—it does require
us to confront them—after careful thought, consideration and prayer. In my humble opinion, one scripture that
illustrates the point is John 8:
1-11, where
Jesus tells the crowd that “He who is without sin should cast the first stone”
and when nobody throws a stone, he tells the prostitute: “Has no one condemned you?...Then neither do I condemn
you,” Jesus declared.
“Go now and leave your life of sin.” Christ did not condemn the woman, but he did
not excuse or ignore her sin—he confronted her and instructed her to change her
future behavior. Conviction and confrontation are not the same as judgment and
condemnation.
But even if you confront someone “gently” as taught
in scripture, be prepared for conflict.
Keep in mind that your perception of wrongdoing may not be the same as
the “alleged” offender’s perception. He
may find your accusations to be unfair and unkind. Almost always they will be
unwelcome.
As I related in my previous post,
“The Will to Win”, I confronted a competitor, telling him that I considered his
driving to be potentially dangerous to himself and others. I said then “Some
could see that as judgmental and unkind to him.” (He saw it as both untrue and
unkind. One of his family members said as much to me—twice, and you guessed
it—he called me a Hypocrite!)
In racing, I think that many
mistake being a relentless competitor with being overly aggressive. Competition pleases and glorifies God when
everyone does his best—competing relentlessly according to the limits set by
the RULES. SCCA rules are clear about
everyone having the right to “racing room” which means that you should not drive
in a way that forces me to choose between: hitting you or driving off the
track. (Admittedly, there is always the
possibility of an argument about the car slightly in front “closing the door” while
racing closely---I think the prudent approach is to assume that if the driver
in front cannot be realistically expected to see you out the corner of his eye,
then give him the line and fall behind him—then try to pass him on the oncoming
straight.)
There is nothing hypocritical about being a
relentless competitor AND confronting a competitor that you honestly perceive
to violate SCCA rules by denying you racing room. In fact, if done in a gentle manner, after
careful thought and prayer, and without condemnation, it can actually be a
loving gesture. (It is better if you have witnesses and evidence that confirm
your perception.) As a Christian, your actions are expected to “produce good
fruit”. Aggressive driving by one driver
creates unnecessary risks to all competitors including risks to the alleged
offender—particularly in open wheel cars--so if there is less overly aggressive
driving—there are many that benefit. Don’t get angry and don’t infer the person
is a bad person---he may not agree that he has done anything wrong. Sometimes he may have only “inadvertently” denied
you racing room. And don’t be upset if
he calls you a Hypocrite. He may even recall instances where he thought you
were the overly aggressive offender. Rules
are always “subject to interpretation” and if you think you are always right and
never in error, perhaps you are being hypocritical.
Ignoring bad behavior may “keep the peace”
but may not be consistent with “doing the right thing” and “Love thy neighbor”. It may simply “enable” continued bad behavior
that sooner or later leads to even more serious problems.
As lovers and followers of Christ, we are
called to be “in this world but not of this world” and we are warned that “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Love God and Love
One Another. Pray for Wisdom and Guidance from the Holy Spirit that dwells with
all Christians—your “conscience” as a committed and prayerful Christian should
guide you. Just don’t expect that
everyone will applaud as you do what you think Christ would want you to
do.
Read 1 Corinthians 4, where Apostle Paul is quoted
speaking to the Corinthians as to how Christians should be regarded: “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and
as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a
trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very
little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge
myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that
does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.”
Blessings,
Chaplain Wayne Strout
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