Hypocrisy

Because you have trusted in your wealth and skill, you will be taken captive. Your god Chemosh, with his priests and officials, will be hauled off to distant lands! [Jeremiah 48.7]

On this date in 2017 I wrote a piece about this same scripture (The Pursuit Of Health And Well-Being). Then, in 2019 I wrote about it again (Have We Lost Our Minds?). I am ashamed today of the conviction with which I wrote on these two previous occasions relative to the lack of change that manifested in my life subsequently.

Over the last few days, idolatry has been the focus and subject of my writing. And today, in retrospect, it appears I am stuck in a conundrum of my own will. More precisely, I have not acted upon what I have been convicted of. Painfully so, I find myself a hypocrite. This scripture from Jeremiah continues to invoke conviction about idolatry, but I have taken no steps to avoid it at all cost (as my writing would suggest I should).

The power of fear coupled with the influence of culture make it near impossible to make a pure, unadulterated stance of faith in God alone. I am reminded just now of Jesus' words in Matthew:

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. [Matthew 7.13-14]

Who is the Church kidding today? The control that fear and culture wield is as evident in the Church as it is everywhere else! And, my fearful culture-controlled life is as much to blame as any.

Father, I am faced today with my hypocrisy. Forgive me for making bold statements in my writing and reflecting none of it in my living. Forgive me for allowing the idols of wealth and skill to be the objects of my trust - trust that should be in You alone. Help me take the necessary steps to align myself with pure unadulterated faith and trust in You...