"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke
Banes S. Lal
Lately, I've noticed a mass exodus of younger generations of Christians moving away from the church. I've heard different points of view on this subject, and yet I didn't hear anyone suggesting honest self-examination, or thriving for forthright answers. We shun the caustic sting of honesty. But there's a need to consume equal portions for closure and cultivating wisdom.
If we call ourselves Christians, then aren't we supposed to make an effort to act like one (imitators of Christ)?
I know I'm not a perfect Christian. I'm far from it. Nor have I claimed to be a faultless person. Only God is.
But hypocrisy should be pointed out when individuals are pretentious in their faith and claim privilege by the colour of their skin. It amazes me when certain people will stand up during Sunday worship and pray impressively, then follow it with a word of ministry but later act opposite — showing no reverence or disregard for God or scripture. Instead, they indulge in conversation over politicians who use colourful language -use bigotry, racism, lies, half-truths to attack women, people of colour and LGBTQ+. The Bible undoubtedly tells us that Christ sat and ate with everyone and didn't turn anyone away.
So why have I decided to display my deep frustration so openly rather than in private? First and foremost, a private discussion is often the correct approach. But when the individual quotes, sound bytes, and outrageous lies and followers on both sides begin "Drinking the Jonestown Kool-aid," we must take stock of where we are going.
I have strong opinions on many subjects, but I'm willing to listen to both sides of the argument as long as it's not weaponized, and individuals are respectful. It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat (Liberal in Canada) or Republican (Conservative here in Canada) or a member of the LGBTQ+. I would consider myself a right to center Conservative. We can agree to disagree and act civil. Yet it seems that these days, racism lined with offensive politics has entered into churches, and (so-called) Christians have been enthralled by the circus-like atmosphere of the current political atmosphere. Some would even go as far as calling politicians appointed by God.
Is it called "Christianity" when so-called Christians cheer the killing of another human being (Qasem Soleimani)? Celebrating an assassination in a church is not merely a distortion of the Christian message, it is also a gross precedent of holier-than-thou hypocrisy and mammoth self-deception. It certainly would not be pleasing to Christ.
This passionate, imprudent embrace by evangelicals is one of the most mind-blowing developments in recent years. I'm shocked that this behaviour comes from a group that for decades, has insisted that character counts.
This undeniable hypocrisy comes from people who formerly laid down the virtues of moral character, sexual fidelity, and individual integrity as an indispensable element of any leadership. They not only look the other way to the ethical and moral transgressions of world leaders (including members of the church itself) but find methods to defend them.
I don't see this as a fight with the "wicked liberals" or LGBTQ+. Christians' only real purpose is to spread the gospel message. When we align with individuals who are abruptly opposite of what our faith stands for, we legitimize these people, and this is a reflection of our moral values. When we align ourselves with people, we show that we agree with the same opinion.
As young people are frustrated by the immoral behaviour from within the Churches, Sunday schools are dwindling, divorces and sexual misconduct within congregations abounds, I notice how Christians attack the nonsecular system, and what is wrong with the world. But the most significant attack on the church comes from within, not from the outside. When you point the finger at someone else, three fingers are pointing back. What happened to the cost of a Christian witness?
Until Christians are once again willing to speak the truth rather than walk with blinders on, the crisis in churches will only worsen.
This collective testimony only becomes murky, and all its effort to spread the love of God in the shattered world only diminishes.
Non-Christians contest that the most significant evidence that God does not exist is the behaviour of Christians themselves! In other words, the way Christians live and conduct themselves is substantial evidence in their minds that what Christians believe is not valid. It furthers the view that Christians are narrow-minded and critical of others. Such facts and perceptions are plenty to keep countless people from believing in Christ.
There's a significant reason for the existence of hypocritical, judgmental, and mean-spirited people in churches - the church is busy with people who aren't Christians.
Jesus said, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit, you will recognize them." (Matthew 7:15-20)
Churches are cluttered with individuals who are present at every Sunday service. They don't say bad words or watch bad movies, plus they give their offering each week. Despite that, they don't genuinely love or walk with God at all. They have adopted an outward cultural view of Christianity. They claim to be morally upright yet look, sound, act, and live no different than anyone else in the world. The dilemma, though, is that their lives distort Christianity to the world. These people whom Jesus called "lukewarm" (Revelation 3:16) and hypocrites say one thing but behave contrary to the ways of Christ. It is usually those who have adopted this form of Christianity who create this image problem for Christianity.
Then the question arises, "if Christianity is legitimate, why are there hypocrites in the church?" Put differently, if Christianity is honestly supposed to transform people, then why do some who profess to believe in Jesus set such damaging examples?
Christianity does not stand or fail on how Christians have behaved across history or how they are acting today.
Christianity stands or collapses on the person of Jesus, and Jesus Christ was not a hypocrite.
He lived consistently with what He taught. The Bible states, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24).
One might say, "no one is perfect," and all are reliant on Christ for redemption, salvation, and growth in spiritual maturity. Because of this, Christians should not behave hypocritically, lest we present critics with a feeble reason to reject the gospel message.
Let us not ever forget that the house is only as good as its foundation.
As Christians, we must remember not to abandon the love we had at conversion when acknowledging God in prayer, worship, and witness. Christians need to stop dancing around the golden calf and return to the Creator.
Did you hear of the city on the hill
Said one old man to the other
It once shined bright, and it would be shining still
But they all started turning on each other
You see the poets thought the dancers were shallow
And the soldiers thought the poets were weak
And the elders saw the young ones as foolish
And the rich man never heard the poor man speak
But one by one, they ran away
With their made-up minds to leave it all behind
And the light began to fade
In the City on the Hill, the City on the Hill
Each one thought that they knew better
But they were different by design
Instead of standing strong together
They let their differences divide
And one by one, they ran away
With their made-up minds to leave it all behind
And the light began to fade
In the City on
(Come home)
And the Father's calling still
(Come home)
To the city on the hill
(Come home)
- Casting Crowns
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