Yes or No

Turning away from Christianity, for so many people, is based on the presence of hypocrites in the church.  They see and know Christians who claim to be Christ Follwers but live like the devil.  They watch them head off to church on Sunday morning after seeing them in a bar Saturday night.  They hear them talk about grace but experience their judgmental spirit.  They listen to them talk about the fullness of life but see their empty personal lives.

The "done with church" are convinced there are hypocrites in the church - Christians by name only who say one thing and do another.  And, they are right; there are hypocrites in the church.  There are also hypocrites in hospitals - doctors and nurses that aren't really there for the patient's greatest good but simply for a paycheck.  But do you refuse to go to a hospital just because they are there?  Not!

Why?  You keep going to medical clinics, emergency rooms and hospitals because you believe, despite the hypocrites on staff, there is healing there, there is recovery there, there is help there.  The same is true of the church.  Despite the hypocrites in attendance, if the words of Jesus are taught there, then healing and help and hope is there.

Resident hypocrites are not a good reason for staying away from the church.  The reason for gathering with Christians or not ought to be based on whether you can accept this claim: "I am the way and the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father except through me" (Jn 14:6).  That statement is either true or it is false, he is either the only way or not the way, he is either the truth or not true, he is the life or not life at all.

Basically, Jesus is either Lord, Lunatic or Liar.  He either is the Son of God or he is not.  Is he or is he not - Yes or No?  If he is the Son of God, then we gather with other believers, despite the hypocrites in attendance, in order to hear his words proclaimed, to worship with other believers, to fellowship with other Jesus Followers.  The question isn't about hypocrites in the church, they are there wherever you go, the question is: Do I believe Jesus is who he claims to be - yes or no?  Jus' Say'n.