Christian, Hypocrite, or Infidel
We were once asked, "Which is worse, to be a Christian but not live the Christian life, or not be a Christian but lead a good life?"
This question strikes at the heart of a basic problem for people today. On the one hand, we have the unfaithful Christian, even the hypocrite. On the other hand, we have the "good moral man" seeking to be saved by his good living. I hasten to say at the beginning of this article that I wouldn't want to occupy either's shoes. Both are lost! The Christian, because he has left his first love (Rev. 2:1-5); the moral man because he never became a child of God; never entered God's family.
The comparison in this question is indicative of a false concept, a false standard of measure - measuring ourselves by others. The "good" man measures himself by the unfaithful Christian and comes to the conclusion that he is safe because he measures better than this hypocrite. The unfaithful Christian measures himself by those who never became Christians and concludes that he is better than they. But, both are still lost! What is accomplished by just being better than someone else if we still don't measure up to Christ's standard (2 Cor. 10:12; Heb. 5:8-9)?
The unfaithful Christian must repent, confess his sins, and ask God's forgiveness to be again in a state of inheritance (1 John 1:7 - 2:2). The moral man must still obey the gospel to become a Christian (Heb. 5:8-9; Acts 10).
Again, I emphasize, they are both lost! That is worse enough! I suggest that the unfaithful Christian repent and do the first works, and that the moral man obey the gospel. Then both their lives will begin to count for something. It seems rather foolish to picture two people, lost, in torment, arguing about which was better or worse!
From Our Archives, 1985
By: Dean Fugett