'Hypocrites' is a poor excuse

Editor,

I am writing this letter in the interest of truth, to correct what I believe is wrong thinking. Sometimes when a wrong statement is repeated often enough it becomes a truism and people begin to believe it.

How many times have we heard people say, “I do not go to church because the churches are full of hypocrites.” I have had the privilege of serving the Lord as a pastor for almost 60 years and have been up close to the situation, and I have found there to be a very few hypocrites in the various churches I have served; granted, yes, there are a few, but not only in the church, but outside the church as well.

I really feel this excuse is a copout by people, who for personal reasons, do not want to have anything to do with the church. Most people who attend church go because they feel a need for spiritual help, who have struggles with temptation, and so they go so they can be nourished and instructed by the Word of God, and receive mutual encouragement from fellow believers. They attend because they love fellowship with others who share the same love for God (“birds of a feather flock together”).

Rather than judging others and using them for our excuse, would it not be better to examine our own hearts? In Psalm 51 David prayed: “Have mercy on me. O God, Blot out my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from my transgressions, wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against You, only You, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight …”

In the words of the old Negro spiritual: “It’s not the deacon and it’s not the preacher, but it’s me, O Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.”

Yes, I too, am a sinner. And I’m so glad that Jesus came to save sinners like me.

Rev. Vern Hicks

Ronan