tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post3979241006513554229..comments2024-03-29T04:31:15.219-05:00Comments on Pastoral Meanderings: Christian history is filled with hypocrisy. . . Pastor Petershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10653554256101480140noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-57682244560659496402015-02-21T07:30:38.059-06:002015-02-21T07:30:38.059-06:00Whenever someone says to me, "I don't lik...Whenever someone says to me, "I don't like coming to church because it's full of hypocrites," I tell them, "You're absolutely right. Why don't you come to our church ... Then we'll have one more." Pastor Michael Zarlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15169758137455384356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-71230887612512640252015-02-20T06:34:32.189-06:002015-02-20T06:34:32.189-06:00Oh...yes....great theme. It is true that believing...Oh...yes....great theme. It is true that believing Christians are often dismissed as hypocrites, especially by others who do not like church or people who go to church. But they do not understand that all people in and out of Christendom, by nature of our humanity, are somewhat hypocritical and capricious, given to continuing changes in attitude and conduct, subject to emotional moods, physical ailments, and inner conflicts. That is why we who love The Lord can only say we are sinners saved by grace, and that the Old Adam will reside inside us until Christ takes us home. I for one am my own accuser of frequent hypocrisy, of occasional unkindness, thoughtlessness, anger, and yes...lustful thoughts.... But the work of the Holy Spirit has removed many outward manifestations and given me more self control than my unsaved period of life...and yet our sanctification is an ongoing act and the inner struggles against unrighteousness and sin remain. Sometimes, in our unguarded moments, I might say to myself, "Where did that thought come from? ". I am supposed to act better! One feels almost as if the guiding light of the Holy Spirit has left us temporarily, or left us exposed to our old sinful devices. That is when I get depressed about the hypocrisy and sin within my heart. But then I remember....thank The Lord for Our Savior, who saves us from our sins, and will take us to glory in the end.John Joseph Flanaganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06596324816480709495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329600504016968888.post-70971887025642417752015-02-20T06:08:48.582-06:002015-02-20T06:08:48.582-06:00Extremely well-said. Thank you.Extremely well-said. Thank you.Rich Kauzlarichhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04435925743346936088noreply@blogger.com