Q and A with Pastor J.

“Aren’t all churches filled with hypocrites?”

Of course they are. So is your school, your work, your family and your home. We are all hypocrites in some fashion. This story may give you some insight.

“I never go to church,” boasted a wandering member. “Perhaps you have noticed that pastor?”

“Yes, I have noticed that,” said the pastor. “Well, the reason I don’t go is because there are so many hypocrites there,” said the member.

“Oh, don’t let that keep you away,” replied the pastor with a smile. “There’s always room for one more.”

Hypocrisy is that strange human condition where we rationalize our actions, but condemn others for doing the same thing. We find in Mark 2:16-17: “When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the ‘sinners’ and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: ‘Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus exposes a simple truth. We are all sick, but not everyone knows it. To avoid the Church because of hypocrisy is an excuse. A favorite quote that I recall when I hear excuses is this, “Bad men excuse their faults; good men abandon them- Unknown.” We should never condone hypocrisy, but we need to admit our need for healing from it. The Church offers a place of acceptance and love, in spite of our faults. It is a place where we can worship God with people who are like us.

First Baptist Church is a place to find answers to questions like these. We would love to meet you!

First Baptist Church is located at the corner of 4th and Foley. Morning Bible Study begins at 8:45 a.m., with our Morning Worship Service at 10 a.m. Our Wednesday Night programs begin at 6 p.m. I would also invite you to visit our website at www.eufaulafbc.org.