This morning God gives insight into hypocrisy beyond my
usual thoughts about it. For the most part, I’ve considered saying one thing (I
am a Christian) and doing another (behaving as if I am not) earns me that label.
Today’s Scripture reading gives a slightly different perspective.
Some background is needed. In the early church there were
some who claimed to believe in Jesus Christ yet added circumcision was
necessary for salvation. Their background as Jews contributed to this for in
the Old Testament era, circumcision was a sign that they were in a covenant
relationship with God. It did not put them into that relationship — it was a
sign that they were already in it. However, some Jewish believers got it
backwards. This issue was in constant debate in the New Testament. Paul wrote
to the church at Rome . . .
For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God. (Romans 2:25–29)
He is saying that being a true or genuine Jew is not a
matter of outward or external things, such as wearing phylacteries, paying
tithes, or being circumcised. Genuine circumcision is not the physical rite
itself but an inward matter of the heart and a work of the Holy Spirit. In
other words, this ritual was a symbol for a changed life.
It is the same for Christian faith. We have actions that
signify that we believe such as baptism and attending church services, but
those actions do not save us. They are intended to show that we have God’s
redemptive life.
In the early church, circumcision was not the only Jewish tradition.
Another was separation from Gentiles who were considered pagans. However, Christ
came to save all who believe, including Gentiles. Certain Jews had a problem
with this. The Apostles were including Gentile believers, but those who wanted
circumcision frowned on their inclusion and wanted them circumcised. Paul wrote
about it . . .
But when Cephas (Peter) came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?” (Galatians 2:11–14)
Peter was eating
with Gentiles but didn’t want the Jews see him doing it. Paul called this hypocrisy.
I try to think of a modern parallel such as if I gladly ate at our
non-believing neighbors but didn’t want my Christian friends to know it, or if I
joined the library book club and read books that my Christian friends didn’t
approve of, so hid that from them? The hypocrisy is not in the eating or the
reading — it is in the hiding! It is in acting as if my salvation is about
doing ‘Christian’ things and not doing
any ‘outside the church’ things.
Paul writes about
the freedom of salvation by faith. I am justified by faith in Christ, not what I
do . . .
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:15–16)
Faith changes the ‘I wants’ of my heart. I desire to do ‘Christian’
things, but so I desire to reach sinners — by eating with some, by reading with
some, by playing Scrabble with some — and being open about it with my Christian
friends so they can pray for me and for those unsaved friends. Some may shake
their heads and say tsk, tsk, as if Christians
should not do that, but Jesus ate and drank with sinners and was criticized the
same way.
^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jesus, I hear You telling me to be who I am with whoever
is around me. Do not hide my life and actions for fear of others with a conception
of Christianity that is so narrow that they cannot include or be friends with
the ‘sinners’ in their lives. Instead, I know You want people to hear about You
and see You in action in the life of Your children. May my life be an open book
and may others see You it its pages. Amen!
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