More importantly, what about the hypocrite in the living room? We’re all hypocritical at some time and point in our lives. A hypocrite is a pretender, and people are right, there are pretenders in the church. But there are pretenders everywhere in life and that does not stop us from participating.

Admit there are hypocrites in the church. Point out that some are Christians who are not living the way they should. But there are also hypocrites at the mall and it doesn’t keep us from shopping there. There are hypocrites at the ball game and yet we still watch the game. 

“We can't let hypocrites stop us from finding out about the one true God who loves unconditionally and wants to forgive each one of us of our sins?”

Jesus didn’t say, “Follow my people,” He said, “Follow Me.”

God calls us personally and individually. He holds us personally responsible. Ultimately the responsibility is an individual one. We all must take responsibility for our own decisions. We all must personally stand before God… we are all accountable for our own choices and actions.

How many of you know that THE ULTIMATE ISSUE is not the hypocrites in the church? It’s not the heathen in Africa, or the problem of evil or of Hell. It’s not the reliability of the Bible. These are intellectual hang-ups that many people seem to have. We can help them with those things. But ultimately the issue is not merely intellectual. It doesn’t have to do with the head only. It has to do with the heart. That is where the Holy Spirit works to bring a person to repentance. The ultimate issue for every man and woman is a spiritual one, because what is demanded of us is a decision of the will, of the heart. We need to do what the Lord would have us do… then leave the results to Him.