unChristian, Part One: Hypocritical

I will never forget the time I learned this perspective on Christians, because it broke my heart. I don't remember how it got brought up, I just remember the response. Something was said about Christians, and my co-worker responded with "they are hypocrites." When I asked him to expand, he did. If it hadn't been a good thing to know his feelings truly, I may have wished I didn't ask. And of course, he had a valid point.

Christians are hypocrites, as no one can perfectly "practice what they preach." Some people use this as an excuse to dismiss a non-Christian's or outsider to the faith's opinion about our hypocrisy. However, unChristian reveals something: their opinions matter, largely because they aren't all wrong.

Victoria, a 24-year-old single mom, was one of the literally thousands of people that were interviewed or surveyed to write unChristian. She told them of her story, about how she went to the people at her former church for help. She says,

"Everyone in my church gave me advice about how to raise my son, but a lot of the time they seemed to be reminding me that I have no husband- and besides, most of them were not following their on advice. I made it hard to care what they said." Ouch.

This kind of thing happens all the time. Maybe not on the level of Victoria's, but think about it: how often has someone that is "living in sin" been a visitor at your church or appeared in some other part of your life, and you or someone you know gave them advice? I've done it before. When we are asked to advise people, it's human nature to jump at the opportunity. We enjoy the feeling that we are helping, and we love to share our opinion at any opportunity. I know I do. Unfortunately, we don't always live up the high moral pedestal that we put ourselves on by being Christian advice-givers (I prefer advice-giver to advisor, FYI).

Think about the people Christ had the most issue with when He was here: the religious leaders of the day. His biggest beef with them? They were hypocritical. They liked to make themselves look like big hot-shots, all religious and what not. Yet when it came to their attitudes and actions, they were no different from the rest of the world's population. Christ has called all of His followers to a higher standard. We are to be different from the world (not "better"; We will cover that in Part Six: Judgmental).

"1b Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees [religious leaders], which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing covered that won't be uncovered, nothing hidden that won't be made known. 3 Therefore whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an ear in private rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops." -Luke 12:1b-3, HCSB

As unChristian's research showed, though, that the root of our hypocrisy isn't how we go about life, however. It's coming from how we portray what being a Christian is all about. The general perception is that Christianity is a religion of rules and regulations, and that we do not live up to our "holy" rule set. Looking at Christianity like that, it's no surprise that we give off a hypocritical vibe! Anyone who ends up seeming as a "holy" person, be it intentional or not, will inevitably fail at some point.

The challenge is for Christians to shed this "holy" and "rule-bound" perception we give off, and there is only one way to really do that: be real with people. We, of course, must try to live our lives with integrity and purity. Those things are of much importance, and I do not mean to belittle them. The fact is, though, that we will screw up at them sometimes. But when we do, a new opportunity will arise. We may be given the opportunity to show one of the biggest beauties of the Christian faith: forgiveness of sin.

When we mess up, we can use that as a time to show that while we still mess up, w can be forgiven of our mistakes. Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins, not to make us sinless. We are still going to sin, and when are transparent and honest about that fact, people will look at us in a much better light. Think about it: don't you prefer when someone is open and honest with you instead of when someone is fake and two-sided? It's logical, and its easy. No longer do we worry about a facade that we must maintain; instead, just admit to your mistakes. I guarantee that you will receive more respect.

Of course, there's times to use caution. If your transparency causes someone to stumble or be tempted, that's not good. Too much transparency can also lead to glorifying sin, too, which is completely opposite to what our goal should be. Glorifying in Jesus's conquer of sin is far better. Finally, one must remember to try to live their life as closely to Christ's as we can; our mission is to be like Christ, and he was perfectly pure and sinless. We must aspire to be the same, but be willing to admit when we fall short.

This week, I challenge you to give this a try. Take your "holy mask" off. Just be straight and honest with people, and see if they take you in a separate light. When they are discussing a problem in their life, don't be afraid to admit that you mess up, too. It's a tragic human flaw, and it is one that we all have. Don't be fake and try to hide it.

As always, I am dying to read your comments and emails- so hit me up. Comment below or email me at thefreedbug@aol.com. Thanks for reading, and remember: love God, love people. Not a whole lot else matters.