343 – Don’t Follow Me. I’m a Hypocrite

#faithbites #faithjourney hypocrite

I often say that I am wrong. Heck, most times I feel more wrong that right, but I digress. I use to think the saying “Do as I say, not as I do” was hypocritical. Now, I know it is. But the thing is, we are hypocrites. We do things wrong all the time, but that doesn’t make us bad people. In fact, our job is to pave the way for another who is greater than we are.

During service today, our Pastor talked about John the Baptist and how he was a rebel. He went against the Pharisee and had a great following, then this guy Jesus comes around. Unlike many of us, when he saw Jesus, he didn’t try to increase his own followers, but rather said, I must decrease for him to increase. John had a job: to pave the way for Christ to come. 

In your life, do you try to be the perfect Christian or do you point to the one who is?

Scripture

• John answered them all, “I baptize you with  water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. – Luke 3:16
• “I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. – Malachi 3:1

Reflection

The scriptures above talk about the coming of the Lord and how John the Baptist paves the way for him to come to Earth. Now look at life today. We know that Jesus will come back one day. But how do we make the road ready for him? How do we pave the way? 

Our job, just like John’s, is to allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. We are to cast aside ourselves to help others see Christ. They are not to use us as example but rather to look at the one who is perfect: Jesus.

As a Christian, we need to admit that we are hypocrites. We are wrong, broke, and need Jesus to help us. The key is when someone calls us a hypocrite, we need to admit it. We need to say “You are right. I am broken. I need Jesus and that’s why I follow him. He helps me be better and follow his ways”.

Charge

What do you say when someone calls you a Hypocrite? Do you try to justify your actions? Maybe you justify the actions of others. Try something new. If someone calls you out, admit it. Admit that is why you follow Jesus as you need him for salvation and to be on God’s path.

Lord, help me to admit my brokenness. Give me your strength to admit when I am wrong and help to pave the way into people’s hearts for Jesus.