“Many folks don’t perceive Christian individuals, churches, institutions, and organizations in the United States as being loving, patient, or kind—and with good reason. Instead, Christians are often viewed as being the exact opposite: envious, boastful, arrogant, and rude. The credibility of Jesus has been marred by the hypocrisy of his namesake’s religion.”1
“… One obstacle to the acceptance of Christianity that is often raised is provided by Christians themselves. Phrased in many ways, the core of the objection is, “If Christianity is true, why are there hypocrites in the church?” In other words, if Christianity is really supposed to change people, then why do some who profess to believe in Jesus set such bad examples?”2
No doubt, all Christians are sinners. On our worst days, no one mistakes us for Jesus. The fragrance of skunk describes us better than the fragrance of Christ. We are poor advertisements for our Savior.
But if we are Christians, we confess and repent, claim God’s forgiveness of our sins, and return to living in the light (1 John 1:9). We shouldn’t confuse being a sinner with Christian hypocrisy, pretending to be a Christian even though we aren’t.
In the last days, the Apostle Paul warns, many professing “Christians” will be non-confessing, unrepenting hypocrites. Paul’s description of their behavior alerts us that some who pretend to live in the light inside the walls of a local church perpetually live in the darkness outside them. His characterization of them instructs us on what to avoid and pursue as Christians.
Paul wrote, “You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” (2 Timothy 3:1–5 NLT).
Paul encapsulated life in the darkness in these verses. Let’s contrast it with living in the light (1 Thessalonians 5:8) in italics.
· People will love only themselves and their money. Christians demonstrate they are Jesus’ disciples by loving God, their neighbors, and other believers (Matthew 22:37–39, John 13:34–35), and serving God rather than money (Matthew 6:24).
· People will be boastful and proud. Love is not boastful, jealous, proud, or rude (1 Corinthians 13:4–5).
· People will scoff at God. Instead of laughing at God, Christians honor and glorify Him by their words, attitudes, and actions (Matthew 5:16, 1 Timothy 1:17).
· People will be disobedient to their parents. “Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do” (Ephesians 6:1 NLT).
· People will be ungrateful. “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT).
· People will consider nothing sacred [ nothing set apart to worship and serve God]. “…I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him” (Romans 12:1 NLT).
· People will be unloving. “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them” (Romans 12:9 NLT).
· People will be unforgiving. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 NLT).
· People will slander others. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior” (Ephesians 4:31 NLT).
· People will have no self-control. “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control….” (1 Peter 1:13 NLT).
· People will be cruel. “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 NLT).
· People will hate what is good. “Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good” (Romans 12:9 NLT).
· People will betray their friends. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13 NLT).
· People will be reckless. “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise” (Ephesians 5:15 NLT).
· People will be puffed up with pride. Love is not boastful, jealous, proud, or rude (1 Corinthians 13:4–5).
· People will love pleasure rather than God. “But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives” (1 Timothy 5:6).
· People will reject the power that could make them godly. “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20 NLT).
Let’s not be content to live in the twilight, let alone the darkness, but pursue living in the light in the last days. Today might be our last day! Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians. #discipleshipresources #evangelismresources #christianleadershipresources
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com.
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