Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.  – Hebrews 10:25

 

Many times I have heard people say, I don’t want to go to church because there are just too many hypocrites there.  There was a time when I even said it myself.

Hearing this enough times has made me wonder why some people really come to the conclusion the entire church is full of hypocrites.  

Typically, a person comes to this conclusion due to someone, somewhere, somehow hurting them in some way and then that same hurtful  person has the nerve to do a nice thing like going to church and acting like all is well. 

Personally, I can’t think of anything worse than being purposely wounded by someone who should know better.  Nonetheless, it happens.  Unfortunately, everyone at some point experiences being hurt in some way by another whether the hurt was intentional or unintentional.  It’s just a fact of life.  We are human and we say and do stupid things to each other even when we try not to. 

The word hypocrite means to say one thing, but to do another.  With that clear definition, it’s fair to say, most people have come across a hypocrite or two in their day.

While one person’s hurtful experience may be different than the others, it is no less painful.  One person may experience the devastation of abuse, while the other the sting of rejection, or spiteful gossip.   It doesn’t matter what it is really. No matter how big or how small, hurt is hurt. And when we find ourselves on the receiving end of it (forgetting that we have the ability to dish it out as well) we come to conclusions that people can and do hurt us.  And when these same people end up in church, watch out! 

But here is food for thought, whether church-goer or not, can any one of us honestly say we’ve never said one thing then turned around and done another, perhaps having caused some problems along the way?  Can any of us really say we’ve never been a hypocrite?

We are all guilty of being hypocrites to some degree.  In truth, most of us aren’t trying to be hypocritical or cause hurt, but it sure does happens doesn’t it?

So with that in mind, what’s the big deal about avoiding church then?  So what if it’s filled with hypocrites.  If we continue to insist that that’s a good enough reason not to go, then aren’t we being the biggest hypocrites of all?

Yes, people have hurt us, in the church, out the church, within our families, around our friends, but attending church isn’t about them.  The Bible teaches that we are to gather together for the purpose of learning and growing in our personal understanding of who God and also of who we are in Him.

Through the process of growing, learning and seeking God, we will certainly have many opportunities to be hurt, offended, and irritated by the people in and out of church. But as we learn to focus on God and His Word instead of sulking over the people, “the hypocrites,” we will learn what God has to say about love, forgiveness, joy, hope, healing and more.

Can you learn about God without going to church?  Absolutely! Just crack open your Bible and start reading.  Am I saying if you don’t go to church every Sunday you’re on a freight train to Hell?  Certainly Not! God isn’t keeping tallies every time you show up to church.  However, I am saying that with your eyes off people and on God and how you can learn more about Him at good Bible-teaching church you will be blessed in ways you would have never imagined.

So next time you hear someone say, I don’t want to go to church because there are too many hypocrites there.  Just tell them, you’re right, and we’re going to fit in just fine as we learn about God together.

 

Send Comments to: Abreathofinspiration@yahoo.com