7.  Why Are Some Christians Such Hypocrites?

The media has been deluged with stories of ministers who have been charged with molesting young children, church leaders who have embezzled funds from church accounts, and pastors caught in adulterous affairs. Scores of religious celebrities and leaders have been exposed in recent years for sexual or financial impropriety. But its not just Christians that disappoint, but their institutions. As a result, more and more seekers are saying, "Spirituality, yes. Church no."

When those who claim to follow Christ are immoral, inflexible, strange, uptight, unloving, judgmental or hypocritical, it cast shadows on the faith itself. And when our experience with Christian community involves being bored, or even worse, burned, it is tempting to walk away from Christianity altogether. Yet disappointed people who continue their exploration of the Christian faith have often done so by reminding themselves of the following spiritual truths:

First, while somewhat trite, the phrase, "Christians are not perfect, just forgiven", is important to remember.

What is behind many -- not all, but many -- charges and accusations against the character and integrity of Christians is the demand for perfection in the life of anyone who claims to be a Christian and urges others to consider Christianity as well. But an authentic Christian is not someone who is perfect, just someone who has come to God for forgiveness and a relationship. Despite their imperfections, Christians should not stand in the way of your relationship with Christ.

The real issue is Jesus, not the weaknesses and imperfections or behavior of those who try and follow Jesus.

Imagine that one of the local elementary schools in your area decides that it wants its students to perform Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. You have never heard the work, but have often heard of it, so you buy a ticket and plan to attend. Now when you go and hear that concert by that elementary school, would it be fair or even reasonable for you to assess the worth and brilliance of Beethoven's masterpiece based on that performance?" Most people familiar with the work would warn you, saying, "Don't be too quick to make up your mind about Beethoven based on that concert. They're just kids. They'll butcher it."

In essence, they would be saying that the elementary school performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony would have nothing to do with the actual brilliance of Beethoven's music. And they would be right.

Christians may disappoint you, but Christ won't.

Because no matter who plays it, the Fifth Symphony is still a pretty good piece of music.

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