CHRISTIAN OR HYPOCRITE
(Romans 12:1-2)
What is the difference between Obligation letter and Man? The answer is quite
simple, an Obligation letter has a set date; Man has no set date where he automatically
becomes mature. In other words, if you had been a Christian for a long time you are still
not necessarily more mature than a newborn Christian.
You could be an ex-Sunday school teacher, or ex-staff, or even ex-deacon, but
that doesn?t promise maturity in Christ. Spiritual maturity is measured by responsibility
to Lord Jesus. What portion of our life is offered to God? And how much is for our own
pleasure?
After Paul wrote the opening statement of his letter to the Romans, the rest is all
about doctrines. He has taught how one could be made righteous, and how to stay that
way before God. Paul defended God?s truth that is free and absolute without a doubt.
Starting chapter 12, he talks about practical things, to emphasize the importance of duty
to readers as Christians.
Paul beseeched you therefore, by the mercies of God, that you, Christians, present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service. There are two „living sacrifices? in the Bible; both help us understand what is
really meant by „living sacrifice?. The first, is Isaac (Genesis 22), and the second is Lord
Jesus Christ. Isaac was willing to go up the hill with his father, Abraham and he was
surely about to die in his obedience to God, but the Lord sent a sheep in his place. Isaac
died for himself and was willing to give himself to God. Jesus himself is the perfect
illustration of a „living sacrifice? because He actually died because of His obedience to
God. He rose again and now He is a „living sacrifice before God?, a sacrifice which is
sacrificed only once and for all.
“Christian or Hypocrite”. The brand and shape could be the same, but the content
is different. The quality is different. Its durability is also different. If it was food, then the
taste would be different too. If it was a drug, then its effectiveness would be quite
different. There are three things that apostle Paul taught in relation to being a “Christian
or Hypocrite”:
1. Be not conformed to this world
We often like to be called “Christian”. In our pocket, in our ID, we are Christian. But
so far, have we been truly Christian? The word “Christian” means Christ? follower. In
other words, we have a role model that must be followed, namely Jesus Christ Himself.
Christ becomes the model of our life. Christ sets the mark of each one of our footstep.
But we always appear no different than those who have not believed, such that people
cannot differentiate Christians from non-Christians. Our actions and vocabulary are not
any different than them. What?s worst is when one claims to be Christian yet his actions
are worse than nonbelievers.
Unconsciously we do many things that do not reflect us as Christians. It?s just as
if our Christianity has faded. Quantitatively we are indeed Christian, yet qualitatively we
are not. In church we might be nice, but at home, at work, at campus and other places we
change. What is most embarrassing is when people cannot hide their bad side even at
church. Such Christians are called “chameleons”.
Once again apostle Paul said: “be not conformed to this world”. Often times we
are trapped and we fail to heed this warning, right? At work, it is not wrong to work hard
for money, but when one forgets to go to church, that?s too much. As for dancing and
shopping around, we feel it is easier to spend a lot for those things than for church. On
campus, we often times want to take the easy way out, if possible without studying by
buying grades and diploma.
In terms of clothing, we never prohibit you from keeping up with style, but
choose the appropriate styles as a Christian. I once saw a young lady with a very short
skirt that she is uncomfortable. She has to watch herself when she sits and stands up.
Every other minute she pulls down her skirt, but her skirt is too short so it won?t unless
it?s taken off. Imagine if a Christian wore such a short skirt to church. What will happen?
Imagine also if such person comes in late to church. The minister will surely get
distracted by such look and conduct.
Apostle Paul said, don?t be like that … live in holiness. Holiness here means
“separated for God”. There?s an original context and it means to be different than the fake
one. In this respect, one needs determination and self-surrender, readiness to be shaped
and transformed so that he can be of integrity.
2. But change …
After his repentance, Augustine once met a woman who is bound in the sin of
adultery. That woman stopped Augustine in the middle of the road and said: “Augustine,
do you not recognize me any longer” “Look, it?s me!” While looking at her Augustine
said “But I?m not the Augustine that you once knew”.
To leave old habits is not easy. Once we set ourselves to receive Christ as our
Savior, that means we have died for Christ and surrendered our life absolutely unto Him.
But in reality, this is not case! There are still old habits which sometimes recur in our
lives. Maybe that is jealousy, vengeance, broken heart, competitiveness or arrogance.
People do not usually by themselves surrender themselves. Losing oneself,
admitting one?s weaknesses is not fun. Israel alone felt the same weakness. Their feet are
heading to Canaan, but their hearts were still in Egypt. Israel?s weakness becomes even
more apparent internally.
1. Unwillingness to face difficulties
2. Inability to self-discipline
3. Rejection of critiques and corrections.
4. Unwillingness to face reality.
5. Receiving gifts from their surroundings
6. Desire of bodily pleasures.
I still clearly remember when I was trying to stop my old habit of watching movies. I
had been trying to leave this old habit so many times yet I kept failing. I was so
addicted to movies that I could watch it two to three times. Sometimes during lunch
break, I went alone to the theater and watched a movie, till I ended up falling asleep;
the theater is air-conditioned. This went on and on till one night the Lord admonished
me.
I still remember that weekend night, after preparing the sermon that I would
deliver the next day, I went with my friends to go see a movie at midnight. Since I
was careless, I left my wallet in the cinema. On the next day, I was forced to drive
without license to church, which is about 22 miles from home. In the afternoon I
found my wallet in that cinema. Everything was intact, but the money was gone; it
was Rp.1.000,-. I really deserved it, I promised God to not continue this old habit.
But unfortunately, I could not keep my promise, I kept watching movies till one
night, when I went back from the cinema, maybe because I was sleepy, I could not
see a stone in the middle of the road, so I stopped suddenly. Since there was sand on
the road, my motorbike slipped. My arms and legs were injured; my friend was hurt
as well. Since then I really stopped this bad habit, especially since in the seminary
there is a rule to not watch movies. So this habit of mine slowly dissipated to thin air.
I am not saying that watching movies is bad, there are certain movies that are good to
watch. But one should watch as to not be addicted to movies.
We are Christian by brand, and we carry that name around; but do we live up to
that name? If not 100% then that means we are fake. That?s why Paul clearly said “be
ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”. It is a transformation which involves
every aspect of one?s life. The world wants to control our mind, but God wants to
transform it. (Ephesians 4:17-24, Colossians 3:1-11). The word transform is similar to
the one used in Matthew 17:2. The expression “transform” here depicts an internal
transformation.
The world wants to transform our mind, so the world uses external pressure. But
the Holy Spirit wants to transform us using internal power. If the world controls our
mind, we become conformists. If God controls our mind, then we become a
transformed person. He who calls himself Christian must be transformed by his faith.
He will become a true Christian, not a phony one.
Apostle Paul himself serves as a clear model. Before he believed in Jesus, he was
a savage. Christians were persecuted and murdered. However, after repenting before
God, he changed completely. From a persecutor of Christians, now he becomes a
follower of Christ. From a persecutor of Jesus? follower becomes persecuted for
following Jesus. How about us, are we willing to come to God so that He transforms us?
A Christian hypocrite is very dangerous for church.
III. Surrender your will to God (12:2b)
Here is one think about: “Your mind controls your body, and your will controls
your mind. Many people misunderstood, they think they can control themselves by
„strong will?”, but most of the time they fail. (Apostle Paul as written in Romans 7:15-
21). We can become true Christians only if we surrender our will and have a strong will
to resist temptation.
Surrender to God can be done through disciplined prayer. When we set time to
pray, we surrender our will to God. “Let your will by done, not mine.” We must pray for
everything and let God does His will.
Our mistake is our tendency to do whatever we like. Often times personal desires
are forced and considered to be God?s will. Many people want the heavenly crown, but if
possible, without taking up the cross. That means they want salvation without repentance
or regret. This is just like a kid who is caught stealing candy. His hand is already in the
jar, grasping for as many as possible. Since now his grab is too big, his hand is stuck at
the neck of the jar. The kid still insists, holding onto his candies and finally cries. To free
his hand, he needs to free his fist and leaves the candies.
People often avoid taking up the cross. John Maxwell did a research from church
congregations across America, the survey shows:
10% of Christians can hardly be found due to business
20% never goes to church
25% never prays
30% never read the Bible
40% never give offering to church
60% never give offering for world missionaries
75% never do church service
95% never win a soul for Christ
yet despite all that,
100% hope to go to heaven
Life in this metropolitan world is rough, competitive. Full work schedule makes it
difficult for us to relax. Our heart tends to be hardened. With continuous temptations
coming at us, we often live as if we don?t need anybody, not even God. That?s when we
start having tactics in dealing with people. But keep in mind, God never wants us to go
that far. Be a believer of quality, not of hypocrisy.
Self-Reflection:
1. Often times we hear that Christians are not any better than nonbelievers.
So believers have actually become stumbling blocks for nonbelievers.
Are you like that too? What do you think makes you that way?
2. Is there a time in your life where unconsciously you have unconsciously
become stumbling block to others? Have you solved this problem?
How?
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