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Stone Altar

Under the ‘old law’, sacrifices were made to the Lord for many different reasons. Some were offerings of joy or thanks, some were sin offerings, and others commemorated feasts. The animal was slaughtered and placed on the altar and didn’t much have a choice. Israel made these sacrifices regularly, but there are numerous (scores) of accounts in the Old Testament where the Bible states that the people fell away from the Lord and no longer knew Him or what he had done for Israel (Judges 2:10, 2 Kings 17:6-20). It is clear that the sacrifice was not the only effective part of the transaction then, there was also a heart/mind component; the memory of the Lord and the willingness to follow His ways.

Today, we are told to give our bodies as ‘living sacrifices’ to our God (Romans 12:1). This brings several new dimensions to an ancient ritual. First, a live sacrifice can leave the altar. Second, a live sacrifice is personally involved in the transaction, living it and feeling it. Finally, a living sacrifice lasts longer than the old, dead sacrifice.

Let’s examine these dimensions as we look at what is happening in our post, post-modern culture.

When we examine the pattern of sin (Adam’s, the Israelites, or in our lives) we see that there is a period of time where we attempt to walk with God, a time when we consider the pull of sin (temptation), then a time of ‘waffling’ where we begin to question God and His Word, and then we turn from Him and lean on our own wisdom, sinning in the process. Eve – in the garden – was first tempted, then she listened to the serpent’s words while doubting God, then she ‘saw’ that the food was good for ‘wisdom’ and then she ate. The Israelites repeated a cycle where they lived as a people ‘set apart’ for a time, following the will of the Lord, then they would watch their neighbors, marry their women, then would begin to worship their gods, turning from the one true God. Can you see this pattern in your life? I can certainly see it in mine.

Paul’s words in Romans 12:1 are written in such a way that I conclude from this that he is exhorting his listeners to continually offer themselves up to the Lord (First aorist ‘paristemi ‘). Each morning, give yourself to the Lord and each minute during they day, offer up praise and stay connected to the One giving you strength and bringing you closer into His image (as the smoke would rise from ancient sacrifices to heaven). This understanding certainly indicates that there are almost infinite opportunities for us to choose to worship our Lord (or not).

Offering ourselves to the Lord seems like such an obvious thing, filled with joy. Why then would we want to choose not to worship? James writes, “On the very rare occasion that you might be temporarily inconvenienced in a minor way…”, no, he writes, “..when you meet trials of various kinds” [emphasis mine]. This passage indicates that we will see trials as a result of being believers and worshiping our Lord. More than this, it sounds like we’ll be presented with a few different types to deal with!

“Trial” sounds uncomfortable, doesn’t it? It seems as though this is something we’d like to avoid, but being on an altar sounds uncomfortable as well, and we’re told to be there. The apostles rejoiced when they were punished because of The Name and considered it a blessing, even high praise, to be persecuted for being a Christ-follower (Acts 5:41, 1 Pet 4:13, Col 1:24, Phil 3:8). So, though uncomfortable, it sounds as though going through trials is part of being a Christian. There is also evidence to support that trials refine us and increase our faith (1 Pet 3:18, 1 Pet 4:1). Does this mean that we should be beatific and gloriously happy all the time? I don’t think so. People that act that way are put into small, padded rooms. It means that we know our ultimate destination and that we keep the faith through trials. It does not mean that we do not get “down” or despondent from time to time.

So, we’ve examined the reasons that we might want to leave the altar and the reasons why we ‘feel’ it so deeply, what about the idea of living it through our life as an example to others? St. Francis of Assisi said, “Wherever you go, preach Christ; and if necessary, use words”. How powerful an exhortation to live out our faith! Brennan Manning has said – quoted in a dc Talk song – “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today… is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle.” While I remain unconvinced that this statement is theologically sound, it does speak to the idea that our lives can either lead others to the Lord, or lead them away into death.1 Pet 4:13 tells us that, in our suffering, God’s glory can be revealed. 1 Cor 12:26 reveals the idea that sharing suffering as a body of believers will strengthen everyone. 1 Tim 4:12 is a direct call to Timothy to set an example for the believers. It is clear that Scripture calls us to continue our living out of Christ’s Lordship in our lives (living sacrifice) both to edify the congregation of believers and to set an example that will draw those yet to be saved.

Finally, I’d like to circle back to the beginning of this post, to the idea that we question the validity of God’s Word, then believe our own understanding above the Word of the Lord, and then actively sin. Paul gave praise to the Bereans for testing his words, and we should study and verify the things we are being taught. This study and honest examination is not what I am calling out here. I am speaking about the tendency of human beings to doubt the word of the Lord because they view it to be incongruent with what they see here on earth. Proverbs 3:5 tells us to trust in the Lord and not to lean on our own understanding. The combination of these two concepts leads me to the idea that – while we must study – we must also hold firm to the things that the Lord clearly says, and that we should not rationalize, and hem and haw on these clear tenets of the faith. We must come to conclusions about the things the Lord has said, and then live then out actively.

In the ‘neo-modern’ world of today we have moved past the post-modern approach that says not to judge other people’s beliefs. That is already bad enough, and anti-Scriptural, but we have moved into a neo-modern world that not only accepts everyone’s ideas but demands that we agree that all views are equally true! Beyond being ridiculous in a logical sense, this approach is exactly what the children of Israel believed as they slid into active sin, and they were judged for it. How much more harshly will it be with us when we have His Word to guide us?

Let us each remain on the altar, choosing it joyfully each morning and minute during the day, living out our lives as a living sacrifice to the Lord who saved us. No crawling off the altar!

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Before we begin I’d like to state that ANYONE who aspires to be something that they are not already, invites the label of “hypocrite”. If you state that you want to be one way, and set the bar there… ahead of where you are now, you are going to be a hypocrite somewhere along the line, religion or no. So, realize that the very accusation of “hypocrite” implies that you desire to be something more than you are, and desire for growth is good.

What is “Hypocrisy”?

Before we delve into what hypocrisy looks like from a Christian perspective, let’s examine the modern meaning of the word and the historical (root word) meaning.

Hypocrisy (or the state of being a hypocrite) is the act of preaching a certain belief or way of life, but not, in fact, holding these same virtues oneself.

The word hypocrisy derives from the Greek (hypokrisis), which means “play-acting”, “acting out”, “feigning, dissembling” or “an answer”. The word hypocrite is from the Greek word (hypokrites), the agentive noun associated with (hypokrinomai), i.e. “I play a part.” Both derive from the verb, “judge” ( “judgment” (kritiki), “critics”) presumably because the performance of a dramatic text by an actor was to involve a degree of interpretation, or assessment, of that text. (Wikipedia, and verified in Merriam Webster and Greek/English Lexicon of the New Testament)

Sunday Christians

Dressing up the kids and marching into church, avoiding the use of ‘bad’ words and using words that are in the current religious vernacular, as if you are that “wrapped up” and “proper” every other day of the week is a horrible approach to faith. This “Sunday Christian” approach makes you believe that your “weekly duty” is done, and you begin to believe that’s all that is required. Your spouse can see right through you, but they are trying to convince themselves that you’re both doing the right thing, so you don’t call each other on it. Your kids learn that “acting the part” is what’s important and that real heart change isn’t needed. This approach certainly has echoes of the “playacting” meaning of the word “hypocrite”.

Skeleton in the Closet Christians

Worse than the “Sunday Christian” is the Christian that possesses hidden sin (or sin they think is hidden) and live as people of faith more than each Sunday. In small ways, each of us fall into this category, but here I mean people who have something they know about, is consistent, and they have not turned from. Examples are spousal abuse, use of pornography, substance abuse, and temper issues. These Christians live the life verbally, and out in front of others, but they have a dark streak of sin that they are susceptible to. These Christians can seriously mar another’s ability to commit to Christ and the faith when their sin is found out. Many fall away when one of these are found out. This lifestyle implies not onlt playacting, but method acting. The person almost fools themselves into thinking that the play is the person, and the impact is deep – for everyone – when the mask finally comes off.

Selfish Humanist Christians

These are the Christians, of every stripe, that succumb to the modern belief that God’s main goal is that we are happy. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard believers tell me that they have done something completely out of line with God’s will because they, “have a right to be happy”. The simplest – and often most destructive – example is that of divorce and remarriage. These Christians instill a great amount of doubt in others, though they cannot see that their actions are inconsistent with their stated belief, everyone around can see this, and they are affected. When I was a child and saw couples in the church divorcing I could not understand it, no matter how hard I tried. I even asked people why they did it! Imagine that scene. A man has divorced his wife and has brought another women to church, and a ten year-old boy comes up and asks why he is bringing someone who isn’t his former wife to church! I don’t do this in public now, but if we know each other, and you leave your wife, be prepared for a visit, because I’ll be asking you some  penetrating questions as your brother in Christ.

I know that I am diverging here for just a moment, but let me explain something to you, I hope incredibly clearly. You don’t have a “right” to ANYTHING anymore (happiness included)! Your rights have been surrendered to The One you gave your heart, life, and soul to. What you want, what you desire must be molded over time into His image, into His will, and will then become your joy. This is so counter-cultural, especially now, that people don’t want to say it, God forbid we PREACH it! The Person we have given our rights to is perfect, loving, and wants us to be in eternity with Him. What we “want” is SO FAR from important in that heavenly scheme that words fail me in my attempt to communicate it. Back on track now…

Pharisees

Finally I would call out the category of hypocrites that I believe Christ assigned to the Pharisees. These are church leaders that could fall into one of the categories above and thus have sway over many believers. Instead of one spouse and children, or a circle of personal friends, these men and women can cause faith to be shaken in entire church bodies when their hypocrisy is found out. Here, leaders can be guilty of the “critical” part well in advance of being found out. Some are never found out! Many church leaders interpret  and “add to” the Good News. Some do this because they “believe”, some yet because it serves them, some further yet because they believe it strengthens the body to place additional requirements of “ascetism” on the believers. I would not be surprised if, in some Bible-teaching churches, the greatest part of their counseling efforts are to help members “unlearn” the legalism and weight added by leaders in the members former church.

What Then Shall We Do?

STOP IT! Don’t be a hypocrite. Here’s how we’ll start. For those of you who are lost and just want to “find yourself”, go to the mall. Yes, the pagan temple with all the stores. Go to a main entrance. Just inside those doors you will likely find an Information Center. View it. There is a red arrow on it stating “You Are Here”. Now that you’ve found yourself, let’s focus. Next, go to a mirror. Peer into it intently. The person in the mirror is who we’ll be working on for the next twenty, forty, sixty, or eighty years. Find those areas where your heart isn’t in line with an Almighty God, and pray that He guides you into a fuller understanding of His will. When you awaken each morning, give yourself FULLY over to Him. All your “rights”, your passions, your desires; ask Him to use these in His will and actively suppress your desire to exert your flesh in the face of pressure and opposition that day. Though there may be hypocrites in the church, pray that you aren’t one of them. When you see hypocrisy in others, realize that in – perhaps different – ways, it’s in you too and extend some grace to them. Don’t let it affect your walk with a perfect Lord.

The only way to stop being a hypocrite is to ACT the way you SAY that you should. Walk the walk and talk the talk. If you can only do one of these, I beg you as a brother in Christ to do the former. Don’t try to change the outside and make that “believable”. This is the root of hypocrisy. Allow your heart to be changed, and your life will change to match. Also, I would beg of you to live in a transparent manner. Let others see your struggles, failures, and victories. In this way the Christian life is shown for what it is, rather than a pasty, unreal caricature of itself that is displayed in so many Christian churches today. Paul didn’t describe the Christian life as a battle, with armor and sword for nothing!

Should we “call out” hypocrisy in others? While I believe that we should exhort and spur each other on to higher Christian growth, we should be very careful to call out sin in other people. Why? Because our relationship is with the Lord, and it is likely that He has given us enough work in ourselves to consume our time; but also because if we focus on others, this becomes much more “fun” than focusing on ourselves. Yes, we are to grow together as a church, and this requires accountability and exhortation, but our personal  relationship with Christ comes first.

If you are not a Christian and have – somehow – made is this far through the post, first let me thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have my deepest respect, you are incredibly curious or dedicated! One thing I would ask; PLEASE do not judge a perfect and Almighty God by His followers. We are faint and frail as compared to him and while we endeavor to grow in His grace, we often fall short of the mark. Approach Him, and build a personal relationship with Him, and realize that we are all aspiring to a goal we’ve not yet reached.

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