You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. – Luke 6:42b

HARSH words from Jesus!

Would you of the church (who call yourself “christian”) deserve the rebuke of the One we call Lord?

It so happens that the same thing that unbelievers do not like in ‘christians’ is the same thing that I do not like: hypocrisy.

True followers of Christ Jesus must be pure in our faith and truthful in our witness.

(As a reminder to any who have not followed my Lenten series of posts, now (the 40 days prior to Resurrection Sunday) is a time for Christians to put down our mask of hypocrisy and put on the righteousness of repentance – a returning to Christ Jesus, who suffered the penalty for our sins and was crucified as Perfect Sacrifice for those who believe.  We will get to the message of hope and the redemption of the Cross closer to Easter, God willing.)

An earlier part of this series on Covenant and Truth concluded with an introductory thought on christian hypocrisy.

We then proceeded to examine the witness of christian marriage and of christian families (including teens).

Today we will take on a couple of issues as they relate to hypocrisy by BOTH christians & non-Christians.

Let’s begin, however, with the entire scripture of Jesus on the ‘log in your own eye.’

Luke 6:39  He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man?

christian hypocrite: Can you lead a non-believer to Christ while you remain blind to your own sin?

Will they not both fall into a pit?

Are you BOTH not destined to the pit of Hell if you do not repent?

40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Are you “fully trained,” dear brother (sister) in the Lord? Are you like Jesus, whom we call Lord? 

God knows the truth and others witness the truth of your proclaimed purity.

41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

An unbeliever will be the first to ask this question of christian hypocrites. The unbeliever ALSO sees the darkness and sin in others, while failing to acknowledge the sin in their own life.

No difference (except that their hypocrisy is not also witness against Christ).

42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye?

A reminder: our responsibility to a Christian brother, member of the family of Christ Jesus, is higher than to an unbeliever. No need to point out the sins to the unbeliever, while failing to bring to light your own.

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

43 “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

What is the fruit of Christian marriage?

A lasting covenant, witness to Christ’s love for us.

What is the fruit of Christian parents?

Godly children; godly teens; godly sons to marry and godly daughters to be given in marriage.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

• As a church?
• As a husband or wife claiming Christ?
• As a child or teen under the roof and authority of a Christian household?

Truth is (as you can see from our previous articles and statistics) christians are failing miserably in our witness of Christ.

The fruit is rotting.

To be continued…