I want to tell you that my
heart belongs to God - after all I am a Christian. I’ve received Jesus as my Savior, and I have
the Holy Spirit. I always try and behave
in a way that glorifies God. Sure, I do
sometimes fail, but honestly it’s usually not my fault; most of the time I can justify
my slips in spirituality because of the people in my life. You know the ones I mean: If only “he” would
do what he is supposed to or not do what
he is not supposed to do there
wouldn’t be issues. If only my children
would listen to me, and respect me, and keep up their end they wouldn’t irritate
me. If only my Father would have been godlier
and less volatile, then I would be able to be a different person, then I would
be able to respond in a more Godly way to situations. Honestly, I try, but it’s
really not my fault you see; I am the accidental hypocrite.
I am really
a good person and I love almost everybody.
I try not to gossip and I don’t outwardly judge others, so I don’t
understand why people point out my failures.
Yes, I do make grimacing facial expressions when I see others falling
short, but I don’t consider that judging – I don’t confront them, yes, I may
shake my head, but I keep quiet. I can’t
help it if my body language gets away from me; I try to keep it in check. I am
the accidental hypocrite.
I know God
values faithfulness and one day he plans to reward us for our faithfulness, but
in this day and age there are just too many good choices. I make promises; commit to things then I
can’t make it happen – that’s life – right? I do the best I can, and while I’m
making plans life gets in the way. I
really have good intentions when things start out and that is all that
matters. I don’t understand why people
get so caught up with my lack of follow through on promises and commitments -
they aren’t perfect either. I really
have good intentions and good excuses, so that makes it okay in my mind, at
least I try. I am the accidental
hypocrite.
I truly love
God but I don’t always spend time in His presence. Sure, I go to church, I sing
the songs and try and focus on God, but honestly I can’t help noticing what the
worship leader is wearing and how loud the music is. These things are
important - after all they do affect my worship. Then sometimes I can’t seem to
stay focused on the pastor’s words, but I do notice what other people are
wearing and how their hair is combed. I sometimes make lists of things I need
to do that week while the pastor is preaching his sermon. It’s not because I don’t want to hear what he
is saying, but because I am very busy. I
want to keep everything running smoothly at my house, and to do that I have to
make lists. So, I do it on Sunday
mornings during church, after all, that is about the only quiet time I get. So,
it is somewhat justified; don’t you think? I am the accidental hypocrite.
I have faith
in the power of prayer but I don’t spend the time in prayer that I know I
should. I take down prayer requests; I
learn about the needs of others and the world, but I’m busy, I have things to
do, ministry things, important things, and they seem to edge out my time for
prayer. I feel guilty about this
sometimes and I make plans to change, but I never do, I’m thinking it’s the
thought that counts. I am the accidental
hypocrite.
I believe
the Bible is God’s word and able to change me, renovate me and restore me, but
making the time to sit down and really dig into the Bible is daunting to
me. I want to read the Bible every day,
to have a devotion every day, but there are so many other things I need to do
that I put it off till it is just too late.
This makes me feel bad, but then I ask God to forgive me, and I have a
long list of reasons to justify myself to Him - then I feel better. I am the accidental hypocrite.
I really
believe God wants me to give out of my abundance to those who serve me at church
and elsewhere. I always make plans to
give at least a tenth every month, but then the Credit Card Bill comes due. I chastise myself for overspending again. Then I remember God always wants us to look our best. If we went around in shabby clothes what kind
of testimony would that be, and did you see those shoes that were on sale this week? Saving money is just as good a virtue as
giving money - don’t you think that’s true?
I do! I am the accidental hypocrite.
I believe
Jesus when He said the second most important commandment is to love your
neighbor as yourself. I’ve memorized
these verses, but I wonder if He really knows my neighbors. They don’t often wave back when I wave. They let their kids climb in my trees - I’ve
caught them. They are always rushing
here and there, and don’t take the time to visit. I know I should be praying for them. I know I should be sharing with them, but I’m
busy too. If I really loved them as I
loved myself I wouldn’t have time for my real family. And that’s the important one. I am the accidental hypocrite.
I’ve read in
the Bible over and over that I should be meek and humble, that I should turn
the other cheek when I get hurt. I know
all about God’s forgiveness and I know he wants me to forgive too, but
sometimes people just aren’t forgivable.
You know the ones I mean, those who don’t ever want to get along; those
that hurt you just for the fun of it. I
have a few in my family and I avoid them at all costs. There are also those who act in ways that are
anti-god, anti-scripture. How can I
forgive those people when they are constantly committing sin? I ask God to forgive me and I know he does
but
I’m not going to go so far as to forgive those who don’t deserve it – I
think I’m on the right track here. I am
the accidental hypocrite.
I believe in
Jesus and I believe anyone who does not know Jesus is going suffer for
eternity. I believe that I am His
ambassador and a minister of reconciliation; I’ve read these verses in the
Bible. But I’m just too shy to share my
faith. I’ve tried and it’s scary. People don’t always make it easy either; there
are a lot of jerks out there; they can be rude and reject me. I think God gives missionaries and pastors
the gift of sharing. I think I should share
but I just don’t feel comfortable and anyway I've been told that it is my lifestyle that counts. I am the accidental hypocrite.
I just
learned about the Pharisees in the New Testament. I learned how they had God’s law but they
didn’t get it. They didn’t get that they needed a heart
change too. Can you believe it? I’m glad I know the Bible and God’s plan for
me. I’m glad I have the Holy Spirit and
I’m thankful that He is always working in my life. I’m glad because sometimes I need help being
righteous and I know God loves me even though he knows who I am. I am the accidental hypocrite.
