FOUR KINDS OF HYPOCRITES!

FOUR KINDS OF HYPOCRITES!

Rom 10:3

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

          A recent Gallup pole found that 72% of Americans believe that Jesus was the Son of God yet 80% felt each individual should arrive at his or her own beliefs independent of any church! The real god of America is her personal preferences and opinions. Is it any wonder that those outside the church say they have no interest in Christianity? There is a huge disconnect between belief and practice.

Hypocrites have been divided into four categories:

1. The Worldly Hypocrite – who has no real interest in religion but practices it vigorously so as to gain some advantage.

Matt 23:2-7

2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

2. The Legal Hypocrite – who abandons his sin so that he might earn Heaven, but has no real love for God.

Rom 10:3

3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

          These are truly sad cases because they attach themselves to religion due to fear. They fear Hell and desire Heaven and live a life of uncertainty trying to appease a God with whom they are not acquainted. They are unfulfilled and frustrated in orthodox religion because they have built a religion from falsehood and can’t find others who will agree with their error. They are always wringing their hands! They are aware of His laws but they have never tasted of His love. If once they could ever be engaged by His love then the laws would cease to be burdensome.

3. The Evangelical Hypocrite – whose religion is only a deep guilt because of their sinfulness. They rejoice knowing that Christ died for them but have no interest in living a holy life.

Matt 13:20-21

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;

21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.

2 Peter 2:20

20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

4. The Enthusiastic Hypocrite – who has high feelings and ecstatic spiritual experiences. He thinks himself to be wise and good but continues in scandalous practices.

Acts 17:22-23

22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

23 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

Dear Father, help me to achieve balance and true worship today. AMEN