I've visited a couple of "African-American" churches - of course they would welcome anybody, but they were primarily filled with African-Americans. They were so warm and loving. The services were exciting and the joy of the Lord was acknowledged loudly and from the heart. I love to see how other churches praise God. In both churches, I noticed something that doesn't typically happen in "white" churches that I've been a part of. If something moved a woman, maybe something said in the sermon or perhaps a song, she might stand up quietly and wave her white hanky to express a heartfelt, "Amen!".
I just read a comment that I consider to be a white-hanky post. It was so good. I am standing up and waving my white hanky right now. It deserves a post on its own and here it is. A big thank you to the Anonymous contributor!
Hypocrisy:
1. a pretense of having a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess.
2. a pretense of having some desirable or publicly approved attitude.
See Chuck O'Neal's sermon 'Peaceful Love' on BGBC website under 'Our newest sermons'. Listen at twelve minute mark as he exposites Matt. 5:38-40 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also."
Compare this to his google comment: "After three and a half years of suffering a great many injuries tamely, without stirring for our own relief, we are now using lawful means to right the ministry of the Gospel at BGBC and to protect our families. It is not a “threat”."
And he is suing other Christians.
Hypocrisy therefore permeates the soul with a predisposition against genuine repentance. That is why Jesus referred to hypocrisy as "the leaven of the Pharisees" (Luke 12:1).
Hypocrisy also works directly against the conscience. There's no way to be hypocritical without searing the conscience. So hypocrisy inevitably makes way for the most vile, soul-coloring, character-damaging secret sins. Thus hypocrisy compounds itself, just like leaven.
Matthew 23:1-3 23 Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe,[a] that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.
I pray the Lord opens the eyes of those still trapped under such hypocrisy.
