Posted on 08/31/2017 10:32:23 PM PDT by givemWatts
Studying this teaching was in some segments very convicting that point out some weaknesses . I can only look to the Cross and its Grace to live out James 1:4.
Result of search for “hypocrite”:
5273. hupokrites hoop-ok-ree-tace’ from 5271; an actor under an assumed character (stage-player), i.e. (figuratively) a dissembler (”hypocrite”:—hypocrite.
very intuitive - thank you
I notice that the hypocrite is concerned about pleasing ‘self’ in all 5 points, whereas the True Believer is obsessed with pleasing his Master.
got news for you. Every true believer is a hypocrite because we all fall short of the expectations of god. at some point everyone has let the venal control there life in some way. I consider ny self a true believer and yet I have blasphemed against god the creator and have not always done good in fact at times I struggle and lose to my sinful nature .
instead of asking who is a true believer ask yourself who hear is willing to acknowledge ones own sinful nature and then to strive to not sin knowing at any time you can lose the battle.
I view the persona of a hypocrite, like Hillry Clinton... What she said in private she could not say publicly ... Hillry plays 'church', and might even call herself a Christian. But her whole existence is about serving herself first.
Unlike man's law, with God, He does not hold account in the same manner those who are ignorant of His Word... Now, those that claim Christ's name and willingly are ignorant, only picking and choosing Scriptures to make up a church doctrine, are play actors.
Yet, Paul describes there are those given the Spirit of slumber, for their own protection, and Paul describes others that God sends strong delusions because of their willingness to believe lies..
What a hypocrite does is mislead, either in ignorance or in defense of something they idolize. Ultimately, God keeps the perfect record, and fortunately for all, He will be the judge of each and every 'heart', individually.
Christ said let no man deceive you...
the wheat and the tares :)
However, there are some exceptions that I just cannot make. President Obama, and would-be President Clinton, I have problems with acknowledging as such.
Hope I am wrong, but their fruits are rotten and filled with (f)lies.
The word hypocrite is not synonymous with sinner. A hypocrite is someone who has no intention to be what he pretends to be. A man who is aware of his failings every day is just a man.
No. True believers are not hypocrites. They truly want to please God, but they all fall short of the mark. Every day. But true believers are being sanctified by the work of the Holy spirit throughout their life. It is a struggle, but as we believers, we know we fall short and as such, we cry out to our God and Savior to help us in our weakness. And He will. Every time. We are not hypocrites because we are not trying to please God by doing things, but we cry out to God to help us be like Him.
If one thinks they have to please God by doing things, then they do not understand grace and that the battle is not ours, but Christ has already overcome. The battle has already been won. Done deal. Those who think they may lose the battle and fall out of grace are likely hypocrites because they think they have to work to please God.
Believers know that they just need to remember to rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ. That is the mark of a true believer - knowing and trusting fully that Jesus Christ has already accomplished our salvation and to rest in that. A hypocrite thinks the works fall on their shoulders.
excellent point bdparrish.
thanks for your insight lupie. This sermon /instruction brings a lightning rod with it.
Would love your input on this, if time permits. This writing was posted not to judge people at all, more to take our own temperatures.
Mind you, Guthrie WAS a Calvinist, but he actually wrote this as a thesis on assurance for the believer, all based on His finished work on Calvary.
no one is asking, except to weigh our own hearts
“instead of asking who is a true believer ask yourself who hear is willing to acknowledge ones own sinful nature and then to strive to not sin knowing at any time you can lose the battle.”
Bro., in case it slipped your notice, this was written a couple of centuries ago by a Scottish pastor. I’m personally not ‘asking’ who is a believer or not, rather searching my own heart & motives. Unfortunately the writer is not alive for comment.
No, every true believer is NOT a hypocrite.
First off, there is no Scriptural basis for that claim.
Second, true believers are not pretending to be something they are not.
A believer sinning is not a hypocrite. Someone pretending to be a Christian when they are not, is.
Simply not living up to everything Scripture teaches every minute of the day does not make someone a hypocrite.
It makes them human.
Thanks for articulating this , metmom.
Calvinists believe in assurance, so I’m not sure what you are trying to say in your second paragraph.
I agree completely w/grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone-type of salvation. I am new to Guthrie’s teachings so the Calvinist statement had to do w/extra reading on this sermon in which its intention by the author was assurance.
If you read some of the posts, some bristled at the sermon.
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