The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation—5

     Thus far in our consideration of Edom we have seen that one of his greatest sins was his overwhelming sense of pride in his location, his possessions, his wisdom, and his might. So proud was he of these things that he held other nations in contempt and lived in open rebellion against God. However, the prophet Obadiah indicates that Edom was guilty of two great sins, not just one. While his first terrible sin was pride, the second was his intense hatred of his brother nation. Consider God’s words to Edom from Obadiah 10-14.

     “Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever. On the day that you stood aloof, on the day that strangers carried of his wealth and foreigners entered his gates and cast lots for Jerusalem, you were like one of them. But do not gloat over the day of your brother in the day of his misfortune; do not rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their ruin; do not boast in the day of distress. Do not enter the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; do not gloat over his disaster in the day of his calamity; do not loot his wealth in the day of calamity. Do not stand at the crossroads to cut off his fugitives; do not hand over his survivors in the day of distress.”

     It would not have been possible for Edom to prevent the defeat of his brother nation (either by Babylon or the multiple nations of 2 Chronicles 21:8-18 depending on how one dates Obadiah’s prophecy) because it was designed to be a chastening from God. However, Edom could have been there to help pick up the pieces and show some sympathy for his brother after the disaster. Instead he chose to gleefully leap into the fray with both feet and become just like the nations routing his brother.

     God offered several prohibitions to Edom. He repeatedly told him not to gloat over the suffering of Judah. While Jerusalem suffered, Edom pointed and laughed at his devastation. God told Edom not to rejoice over Jacob’s misfortune. While the calamity engulfed his brother, Edom saw the event as a reason for rejoicing. God told Edom not to enter the gates of Jerusalem. Of course, Edom did not intend to enter as a brother but as a raider, looting whatever wealth he could find. God told Edom not to stand at the crossroads. It was bad enough that Edom was looting Jacob, but he compounded his sin by making sure his brother could not escape. Finally God told Edom not to deliver his brother over to the enemy as he rounded up whatever survivors managed to escape. Because Edom chose to do all of these things, his humiliation would be perpetual and permanent (Malachi 1:4).

     You and I must consider the lessons of Edom’s hatred in relation to how we should treat one another as brethren. David makes a very important statement in Psalm 133:1. “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” When brethren unite upon their love for God, His will, and one another it is a marvelous and God pleasing thing. The love of brethren sharing the same precious faith and cherishing the same wonderful hope is a gift from God to His people. It is one of His greatest blessings to us and must be numbered close to the top every time we pause to count our blessings. It is something that must fill our hearts with a gratitude that manifests itself in regular expressions of praise and thankful prayer to God. At the same time it is something that must be worked at and improved upon with the passing of time. 

     An important point for us to remember comes from the pen of John, where he said,  “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). Our love for one another serves as proof that we love God (John 17:20-21).

      It is difficult for us to imagine doing violence to our brethren because we tend to think of violence as physically attacking them. However, let us not forget the violence of inactivity. I can wish you warmth and a hearty meal if you lack those things but if I do not offer them to you when I possess the means to do so I have wounded you and failed in love (James 2:15-16). Never forget that the great sin of our Lord’s judgment scene from Matthew 25:41-46 was not a failure in doctrine or false teaching, it was violence done to the brethren through unloving inactivity.

       Edom hated his brother and proved it through his actions. Let us love one another and prove it in every way.                              

The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation—4

      Obadiah has had much to say about the spiritual shortcomings of the ungodly nation of Edom. Jacob’s brother nation was so filled with pride that it consumed his every thought and action. His pride was the seed at the heart of each sin Edom was guilty of committing. Ultimately it caused him to disregard God altogether. In this article we will examine two more sources of his pride. 

     “Will I not on that day, declares the Lord, destroy the wise men of out of Edom, and understanding out of Mount Esau? And your mighty men shall be dismayed, O Teman, so that every man from Mount Esau will be cut off by slaughter” (Obadiah 8-9).

     As one considers the testimony of Scripture, it is clear that Edom had gained the reputation for great wisdom and understanding. In Jeremiah 49:7 we read, “Concerning Edom. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Is wisdom no more in Teman? Has council perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom vanished?” Many suggest that Teman may have been the capital city of Edom. If it was not the capital it was at least a very influential and reputable city. Both Obadiah and Jeremiah specifically connect wisdom and might with Teman, indicating that it was a city noted for prudence, council, and military might. You may recall that Eliphaz, one of Job’s “comforters”, was a Temanite (Job 2:11).

     Keep in the mind that Obadiah shows us God removing every source of Edom’s pride. Clearly he gloried in his own wisdom, confident that nothing could possibly arise that he could not overcome through his own council and planning. Scripture informs us that there are only two types of wisdom. There is heavenly wisdom (wisdom from above), and there is demonic wisdom (wisdom from below). Considering the vileness of Edom, it is clear which brand of wisdom he possessed (James 3:13-18). 

     As we’ve hinted at already, Edom had gained quite a fearsome reputation in battle. Obadiah connects “mighty men” to Teman just as Jeremiah had connected wisdom. There is no question that Edom presented a very formidable, intimidating adversary to anyone brave enough to take him on. Remember that something as fundamental as simply reaching him was very difficult because of his mountain stronghold (Obadiah 2-4). Should an adversary manage to reach his cities they would need to contend with Edom’s allies coming to aid him. If his allies were not enough Edom could easily dip into his wealth to hire mercenaries to fight on his side (Obadiah 5-7). Add to all of this his own wisdom and warriors (Obadiah 8-9). Edom was truly a nation to reckon with.  

     Unfortunately for him, Jehovah was doing the reckoning! His foolish trust in himself caused Edom to forget that the mightiest of men stand helpless before the Lord God Almighty (2 Kings 6:15-18). Edom could gather all of his military men and wise councilors against God and not even begin to frustrate His purposes or overcome His strength (Psalm 68:1-3). Truly it was his trust in his own might and wisdom that helped doom him to an eventual final destruction.

      It is imperative that we understand that everything about man, every source of his pride, is incredibly tenuous at best. We sometimes boast in things like our wealth, our health, our possessions, our strength, and our wisdom. Edom possessed each of these in spades. However, there came a time when God simply had enough of his proud arrogance and acted against him. What good did Edom’s wealth, health, possessions, strength, or wisdom do him then? If there is one lesson we must take from Edom it is that placing our complete trust in anything but God is the height of foolishness. Wealth, possessions, health, strength, and the mind all eventually fail. God does not.

     A favorite passage of mine is Isaiah 49:14-15. “But Zion says, ‘The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.’ Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.” The bond between a mother and her brand new nursing infant is so strong! Having witnessed it for myself three times now I cannot but marvel at the beauty and devotion of a mothers love for her baby. God’s love for His people far excels even that. Let us never forget the Father up above looking down in tender love. Let us make Him our boast and nothing else.        

The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation—3

     As we begin this third post considering the humbling of Edom, please remember that pride was at the heart of so many of his problems. Pride made him arrogantly self sufficient, boastful of his possessions, and contemptuous of God. Jehovah noted his increasing pride and his unwillingness to repent of it. His judgments against Edom are found spread throughout the writings of many prophets. Obadiah dedicates his entire prophecy to the eventual humbling of that sinful nation. As we consider Obadiah’s prophecy, we continue to note how the pride of Edom would lead to his destruction.

     “If thieves came to you, if plunderers came by night—how you have been destroyed!—would they not steal only enough for themselves? If grape gatherers came to you, would they not leave gleanings? How Esau has been pillaged, his treasures sought out! All your allies have driven you to your border; those at peace with you have deceived you; they have prevailed against you; those who eat your bread have set a trap beneath you—you have no understanding.” (Obadiah 5-7)

     Scripture indicates who some of Edom’s allies would have likely been. Moab and Ammon were his neighbors so it would have behooved him to make treaties with them. In Amos 1:6, 9 we see that Edom was involved in the slave trade with Gaza and Tyre. Doing such business would require certain understandings and agreements that likely came in the form of treaties and alliances. Doubtless some of the Arabian tribes living near Edom would have seen the benefit in an alliance with such a powerful neighbor. As we will see in a later article, Edom’s hatred of his brother nation seems limitless. He truly appears to have adopted “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” mentality toward Jacob as evidenced by Asaph’s cry to God in Psalm 83:1-8. If a nation wanted to damage Jacob in some way, they could count on Edom supporting their decision and perhaps even lending his own warriors to the endeavor.

     Edom’s lofty dwelling in the mountains had him gazing imperiously and contemptuously at the nations dwelling below. Even without any support from any outside source he felt secure and utterly untouchable (Obadiah 3-4). However, he did have outside support. Edom had made alliances. So confident was Edom in his alliances that Obadiah’s prophecy indicates utter shock on his part when his allies turn on him, pillage him, and force him from his mountain strongholds. Dismayed, he would watch as his “friends” so thoroughly searched out his treasures that not a single valuable remained. The godless nations Edom placed so much hope and trust in would deceive him, attack him, and plunder him. 

     As I consider this step in Edom’s humiliation, I see some practical lessons for today. First, ungodly people behave in an ungodly manner. This truly is a “dog eat dog” world. More often than not the ungodly are faithful to their promises only up to the point where they see that remaining faithful benefits them in some material, physical, or social way. This is true of nations, businesses, and individuals. Edom’s allies knew of his wealth for Edom’s arrogance likely moved him to flaunt it often. Clearly those allies were biding their time, waiting for the perfect opportunity to break whatever agreements were in place and utterly ruin their “friend.” Nothing has changed over the years. Ungodly nations/people will behave in an ungodly manner. It is never a question of if, but only of when (Isaiah 30:1-5; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

     So what does this mean for us? It means that before we ever seek an alliance with any nation, business, people, or person we need to ensure that we have made an alliance with God. If Edom had been a God fearing nation, if he had humbled himself before Jehovah and praised him as the source of blessings and goodness, then there is no reason to imagine that he would have been destroyed the way he was. Edom would not have been proud, hateful, or wicked. When wind came that enemies were approaching his borders with cruel intentions he would have been able to appeal to God just as Asaph did in Psalm 83. He would not have been forced to rely upon his own strength or wisdom (another area of pride which will be discussed in the next article) but upon wisdom and might from God. Sadly, his wicked pride ensured that such an avenue for aid did not exist to him.

     In James 4:10 we read, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” What might have become of Edom had an alliance with God meant more to him than his alliance with ungodly nations? We’ll never know. Let us make God our Ally by humbling ourselves before Him. He promises exaltation if we will.    

The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation--2

     In our last post we began discussing the nation of Edom. We concluded by mentioning that one particular prophet was given an entire prophecy about the things that would happen to that nation in their future. The prophet’s name was Obadiah and his entire book, though short, is all about Edom. Eventually they were to be entirely destroyed as a people. Obadiah tells us the reasons why and in the process provides several practical warnings.

     Obadiah 1-4 says, “The vision of Obadiah. Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom: We have heard a report from the Lord, and a messenger has been sent among the nations: ‘Rise up! Let us rise against her for battle!’ The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rock, in your lofty dwelling, who say in your heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?” Though you soar aloft like the eagle, though your nest is set among the stars, from there I will bring you down, declares the Lord.”

     The judgment against Edom was in large part due to his godless arrogance and pride. The first specific object of his arrogance mentioned by Obadiah was his location. Dwelling in the mountains southeast of Judah, Edom occupied very formidable territory. The fabled city of Petra, carved right into the rock, was in the midst of the land held by Edom, though it was carved out later by the Nabateans, an incredibly advanced tribe of Arabs who forced Edom from his home. Edom dwelled in towering mountains and narrow passes where we’re told that twenty trained warriors could hold off hundreds. He thought himself impregnable and thus his pride knew no bounds.

     It is interesting that God began His judgment against Edom by summoning the nations to rise up in battle against him (Obadiah 1). Edom was contemptuous of other nations, holding them in derision. He could not fathom that they could ever breach his fortifications. While these nations would be the tool of God’s wrath, God Himself was going to see Edom brought down to the ground. He was going to be the One to do this (Obadiah 2-4). Edom’s pride was a direct insult to God for God determines the “allotted periods and boundaries” of all nations (Acts 17:26), not presumptuous man.

     Pride has ever been one of the terrible killers of nations. For your own benefit take the time to read of the role pride played in the downfall of the following nations and cities: Assyria (Zechariah 10:11), Babylon (Jeremiah 50:29, 31-32), Egypt (Ezekiel 30:6), Tyre (Isaiah 23:8-9), Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49), Moab (Isaiah 16:6), Ammon (Zephaniah 2:10), and Philistia (Zechariah 9:6). You and I should especially note that God’s own people did not escape the punishment for their pride: Israel (Hosea 5:5), and Judah (Jeremiah 13:9, 17).

     Let us take from these examples that pride always begins with an inflated view of one’s own importance, safety, possessions, intelligence, and abilities. In Edom’s case we will find pride in each of these areas but possessing it in even one is sinful and judgment worthy. Whether it be in this life or in the next the end result of pride will always be the same—destruction. It becomes even more deadly when we consider that its deceptive qualities (Obadiah 3a) nearly always lead to missing its necessary outcome. The Proverb writer said, “pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (16:18) Though the proud may be knocked from their pedestal in this life, they will most definitely be knocked from it when they stand before the Judgment Seat to answer for their life’s activities (Romans 14:10-12).

     I am convinced that the greatest deterrent to pride is the practice of constantly chronicling evidences of our dependence upon God for everything good we enjoy or achieve in this life. From a business and financial perspective one could achieve nothing were it not for God’s blessings of health and mental acumen. As it pertains to our families we are reliant upon God’s granting us love and the blessing of procreation (Psalm 127:3-5). As it pertains to talents and abilities within the church we must remember that they are gifts from God to be used to further His purposes (Romans 12:3-8). As it relates to salvation, God took every step necessary to make salvation possible and revealed to us what we must do to achieve it by His grace and mercy (Romans 5). What place does pride have in the life of the saint? Absolutely none. “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10).

     Without his pride, I wonder what would have happened to Edom? With it, I know what will happen to us (Proverbs 16:18).           

The Humbling Of A Wicked Nation--1

     When we consider the wicked nations mentioned throughout Scripture we have a very long list to choose from. Yet the one nation that is continually set forth as a symbol for absolute godlessness and worldliness is the nation of Edom. Who were these people? Genesis 36:8-9 tells us, “So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom). These are the generations of Esau the father of the Edomites in the hill country of Seir.”

     When we discuss the people of Edom we’re talking about those who descended from Esau. Of all the nations of the earth, Edom was the brother nation to Jacob. While brothers should love and care for one another, the relationship between Jacob and Esau could never be described in that way. In fact, their animosity for one another appears to have begun within Rebekah’s womb. Genesis 25:22-23 says, “The children struggled together within her, and she said, ‘If it is thus, why is this happening to me?’ So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, ‘Two nations are in your womb, and the two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.”

     As the brothers advanced in age Esau became a hunter. On one particular day when Esau was weary and famished he demanded some stew from Jacob. Jacob agreed on one condition, found in Genesis 25:31-34. “Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright now.’ Esau said, ‘ I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ Jacob said, ‘Swear to me now.’ So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright.”

     The birthright of Esau would have included the wonderful promises made to Abraham. Included in those promises was the wonderful spiritual promise that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through the seed of Abraham, a reference to Jesus Christ (Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:16). Thus, very early on in our introduction to Esau, we see that he possessed a very dismissive and cavalier attitude toward spiritual considerations. This is also seen in his taking Canaanite wives (Genesis 26:34-35), a choice that greatly hurt his parents.

     If Esau is considered a profane or unholy person (Hebrews 12:16), then the nation who came from him took his ungodliness to another level entirely. You may be surprised to learn that Esau and/or Edom are mentioned 187 times in the Scripture. Even more surprising is the fact that 21 of the Old Testament books have something to say about them. However, most noteworthy of all is that not a single mention of this nation is positive. Without fail they are set forth as an extraordinarily wicked and godless people (Isaiah 34, etc). 

     The first recorded meeting between the brother nations immediately paves the way for the sort of relationship they were going to have as the years progressed (Numbers 20:14-21). Having escaped Egyptian captivity and seeking to pass through the lands belonging to his brother Edom, Israel was rebuffed. Asking again with a promise to pay for whatever may be eaten or taken on the journey, Israel was again refused admittance with a pugnacious show of force.

     Things would not improve between the brother nations. As the years progressed Edom’s hatred of Jacob only intensified. Finally, a prophet arose whose sole mission was to speak God’s judgment upon Edom. In fact, this man’s entire prophecy was about God’s wrath being poured out upon Edom. The prophet’s name was Obadiah and his message was a terrible one for the nation that had become almost unbelievably wicked and hateful. 

     In the next six posts we shall consider God’s judgment upon Edom as set forth in Obadiah’s prophecy. In so doing we will find many lessons for our lives today. Eventually, those of Edom who were not destroyed were absorbed by the nations until they ceased to exist as a distinct people altogether. Obadiah tells us exactly why it happened.         

Before Criticizing

     I have a tendency to be rather self-critical. This can be both bad and good. The bad is that a self-critical person will occasionally beat his or her self up over things they absolutely cannot control. The good is that developing a critical eye toward self helps to ensure that one continues “walking in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” (Ephesians 4:1)

     It is very easy for the naturally self-critical to begin viewing everyone, including (especially) brethren, through a very critical lens. If one is not careful they can find themselves offering more criticism than encouragement, more criticizing than edifying. I fully understand that criticism and rebuke is necessary at times (2 Timothy 4:1-2). I also fully understand that the motive behind any criticism I offer must be correct or I am guilty of sin. Thus, I have worked very hard to train myself to ask a few questions before I criticize. Perhaps you will find these questions and the points that follow helpful.

     Does my criticism come from jealousy or envy? These are such ugly traits for Christians to possess. Pilate was sharp enough to recognize that Jesus stood before him because certain ones were envious of Him (Mark 15:10). I have heard fellow preachers lambast a brother behind his back, picking at just about anything they could think to pick at, and for the life of me could not find any reason for them to do it besides envying his talents, number of published articles, and impressive meeting schedule. When I open my mouth to begin criticizing a brother or sister in Christ I had best pause and make sure something besides the “wisdom” of demonic jealousy (James 3:14-15) is motivating me. If not, I need to bite my tongue and get busy making some very important heart corrections.

     Does my criticism come merely from a difference in opinion? Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that opinion (something God does not condemn one way or the other) is not to be made a test of fellowship or a cause for stumbling. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read the entirety of Romans 14 before continuing. Nothing must be made a test of fellowship that is not a test of salvation. To become critical of someone over nothing more than matters of opinion is to elevate an issue that has no business being elevated. Those who are called upon to do nothing from rivalry or conceit, to be humble enough to count others as more significant than themselves, and to focus more upon the interests of others than themselves (Philippians 2:3-4) simply have no business criticizing one another over a difference of opinion for genuine love does not insist on its own way (1 Corinthians 13:5). When I open my mouth to criticize I must ask myself if something more worthy than a desire for my personal opinion to be accepted is motivating me. If not, I need to bite my tongue and turn my focus inwardly to fix what needs fixing.

     Does my criticism come merely from a difference in style? Many times a preacher or Bible class teacher will say something that I would have said differently. Many times they present God’s Word in a style that differs from mine. So what? If they have not taught error, have made God’s Word understandable, and have comported themselves as men of God than our difference in style is simply that. Just because I might have said a thing differently or used a different passage does not mean the expression or passage they used was wrong. Different styles are equally valid when the same truth is being taught. I make it a practice not to pull a new preacher or Bible class teacher aside to tell him “I would have said it differently.” If the way he said it was clear and the truth was taught than a difference in style usually isn’t important enough to mention. There will be exceptions to this, particularly if he asks for input, but let us bear in mind that a difference in style is usually not a good reason for becoming critical.

     Does my criticism come from a desire to bring this person down or hurt them in some way? Sometimes people are cruel to us and there is a desire on our part to strike back at them. When we’ve been hurt and our emotions have been incited it is sometimes difficult for us to remember the example of Jesus as described by Peter in 1 Peter 2:21-23. He did not repay reviling for reviling, trade wound for wound, or seek to get even. He continued entrusting Himself to Him who judges justly. The Father says vengeance belongs to Him and He will be the one to repay (Hebrews 10:30). Vengeance and retribution are not mine to seek and if they are motivating my criticism I must bite my tongue and remember my place.

     As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, there are times when criticism is not only valid but also necessary. However, the motive behind my giving it is paramount to my own spiritual health. If my motives for criticizing are wrong, even if my words are right, than I have sinned and am in need or repentance (Philippians 1:15). In a society as critical as this one, let us beware lest we become critical people whose hearts make valid criticism impossible. 

"You Christians Are Nothing But Hypocrites!"

     A couple of years ago I wrote two articles based upon a poll question found on the Cincinnati Enquirers website. The question was, “Should Ohio legalize same-sex marriage?” A common theme in the “Comments” section of that poll question was that those claiming to love Jesus Christ who voted “no” were hypocrites because everyone knows Jesus was all about love and it is hateful to stand against any group of people seeking happiness. Recently in a discussion forum I was attempting to reach a man who at one time claimed to be a Christian but no longer made such a claim. Ignoring essentially every verse I used, he chose to end the discussion abruptly with this parting shot: “You Christians are nothing but hypocrites and I won’t have anything to do with you.” I have even heard similar statements from those who have truly been washed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  

     This is a favorite statement for Christians who want to drift back into the world or for those who don’t want to obey to begin with. Somehow seeking to justify their actions, they begin to point the finger at the supposed hypocrisy of Christians. I have even heard preachers from the pulpit bemoan the hypocrisy “prevalent” within the church today. Mr. Webster sets forth this as his first definition of a hypocrite: “A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess, esp. a person whose actions belie stated beliefs.” 

     The church our Lord died to establish is not full of hypocrites and to say otherwise is untrue. What it is full of are imperfect people who are striving for perfection, but aren’t there yet. “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:45). The Christian must make it his goal to be like the Father. If he refuses to make this his goal then he yields the right to be called one of God’s children. The effort must exist and the Father has promised to aid us. However, I would be lying to you if I were to claim that I have reached this goal and no longer have to worry about stumbling or missing the mark in my life. Never forget that John is writing to Christians when he said, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). A Christian is not a sinner in the sense that he or she lives a life characterized by sin. However, there will be times when a Christian breaks Christ’s law and sins (1 John 3:4). This makes us imperfect, not hypocritical!

     Now, I imagine that hypocrites probably do exist within the church today. There probably are some who pretend to be righteous and holy who do not really possess those traits but are merely fooling their brethren. However, I am not so cynical, or dishonest, to claim that the church is full of such people. My brethren are like me. I don’t always live up to the standard that I claim, but I am not a hypocrite! I will deny this charge with every breath! I am trying to be pleasing to the Lord and I know that the vast majority of my brethren are doing the same. My brethren and I are imperfect, not hypocritical. 

     Now, let us suppose for the sake of argument that this charge were true. What of it? How does another person’s hypocrisy change my responsibility to God? If every Christian in this world was a Christian in name only and putting forth no effort to really be what he or she claims, what does that have to do with me? Am I released from my obligation to God? Does their hypocrisy somehow excuse my own duty to God? Can any thinking person believe it? The truth of the matter is that this is a deceptive and dishonest charge born from a misguided, desperate, and unholy attempt to justify one’s own sinful actions. It is a dishonest straw man argument that misses the real issue by miles: the sickness of my own soul and my unwillingness to obey the Lord. 

     Only one child of God ever achieved sinless perfection and that was Jesus Christ Himself. Has every other child of God who has ever sinned been nothing more than a hypocrite? No. Shame on those who say that they were.