Letter about Hypocrisy, Resolution and Forgiveness

Dear Aunty Betty,

I thank you for your sharing and your frank openness about what is a sensitive issue, both inside and outside the church. However, I would like to steer away at the issue of hypocrisy and come back to the fundamentals of our faith and as Christian brothers and sisters.

However, to answer your question, Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, lest you be judged” was Jesus warning us not to be hypocritical. The passage continues:

“For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged and with the measure you use, it would be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye2 when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:2-5)

Jesus was warning against hypocritical and self-righteous judgement of other people. Likewise, Aunty Betty, we also should not be quick to place judgement on those whom we consider hypocrites. We do not label others as hypocrites otherwise our Father in heaven shall measure us by the same standard (Matthew 7:2).

The bible teaches us as to how to deal with a brother and sister who is sinning. Matthew 18:15-17 is clear:

“If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault between you two alone. If he listens to you, you have gained a brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses even to listen to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Jesus had already established a process of a peaceful conflict resolution as to how to deal with our fellow brethren in the church. However, we do not confront them to humiliate, embarrass or chastise them based on our own self-righteousness or ideology, but along the guidelines of the word of God. We do this in the hope that they should repent and be welcomed again into the body of Christ. “let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).

In what manner do we approach this person? The bible is clear that “Owe nothing to anyone – except your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbour, you will fulfil the requirements of God’s law” (Romans 13:8). Paul wrote to the Ephesians saying “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). Loving one another does not mean to hide the offence in order to keep the peace. This would lead to greater problems, including bitterness. Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal unforgiveness or bitterness as offences against a brother would form a barrier between us and God. When we pray, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12) note that if there is unforgiveness in our hearts against another, our Father in heaven would not forgive us of sins against us. “For if you forgive others of their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

I will conclude with three passages as to how we are to be in right standing with the Lord, while dealing with a brother or sister who sins in the church. First Paul said to Timothy, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:2) and to the Ephesians “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32).

Finally, Jesus has shown us how to deal with offences and to avoid falling back to unforgiveness. “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44). By God’s grace, healing shall take place and the body of Christ shall be strengthened. Do not fall into the same trap by criticising or condemning others, but rather seek to edify the church by serving the Lord with your whole heart. Do not rely on your own wisdom, but ask God to provide His wisdom. I pray that the Lord shall guide you to understand His perfect plan but earnestly “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all other things will be added onto you” (Matthew 6:33).

I pray that the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen

Blessings,

Douglas

-----Original Message-----
From: Betty Elledge [mailto:bettyelledge@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 7:06 AM
To: Alicia Chew; drcj lim; Tan Hoe Pin; Irene Lim; Nancy Tan; Richard Tok; Pastor John Roxborogh; SC YONG; Chin chin; Steven Fung; Beatrice Rodriguez; Christian GIRSANG; Lisa Ho; Ann Cheah; Andrew Hwang; David Lai; Robert Weniger; Ron Woodward; douglast86@hotmail.co.uk; Cynthia JONAS; George Elledge
Subject: Hypocrisy

I mentioned the hypocrisy of our church but was told not to say this. I do not want to avoid the truth and would dearly like to seek out as much clarity in my search for the truth.  I therefore take the liberty to do some research on my usage and application of the word "hypocrisy". I am sorry to have to say I discover hypocrisy is quite common among Christians (sorry for so unchristianly judging others?) and worst still some Christians have fine-tuned hypocrisy to such an act that it is hard to detect, and some manage to use it to their advantage.  I love the book "to Kill a Mocking Bird", and the movie "A Few Good Men" that have played a part in enriching my character building as an ordinary human being. Certainly I am still discovering the truth from the Bible.

Matthew 7:1 "do not judge or you'll be judged". What kind of judgement was Jesus forbidding? My understanding is that God is the sole judge of our salvation. Some judgements are unavoidable. Many people lump all judging together as if it is bad when they themselves make judgement everyday, e.g. who dressed better, which boy is better looking, her social background is upper class.... We do them all the time without even thinking about it.  We even choose our friends on such judgement, without even realizing it. Therefore judge not cannot apply to all kinds of judging.

John 7:24 "Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly". Did Jesus contradict himself? I don't think so, Jesus is saying judge right. How to judge right is another deep searching knowledge of the truth.

Roman 2:1 Paul criticized some of his Christian readers for judging others when they were doing the same things. Paul criticized HYPOCRISY.

1 Corinthians 5:12-13 Paul says "what business is it of mind to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  I can see Paul condemns bad judging but commands another kind of judging? 

Throughout the bible, I note Jesus judged the legalism and judgmentalism of the Pharisees;  Paul often criticized other apostles and his own converts for falling out with the true gospel of grace and truth.

The right judging discipline the church. It is obvious without some form of church discipline, which inevitably involves some form of right judging, the church is merely a gathering place for so called Christians with their own set of values and beliefs.  I believe I can only renew my spirit by judging without the judgmentalism. I believe church discipline depends on appropriate judging, and that church discipline means holding Christians accountable for their lives.

Pardon me if I have offended anyone, but this is merely for me to seek out the utmost truth of God's word, Jesus my real word in picture. I send to you, dear friends in Christ whom I respect with a view that we all can share and learn together the real truth.  It will be a blessing on my part to hear from you all, hallelujah!

In Christ,

Betty