Do as I say, not as I do. Many a parent has said this to a child! When there is a gap between what people say and how they behave, we usually think of them as hypocrites.


God is less interested in what we say than in what we do. Claims of Christianity mean little if our lives do not reflect our words. Some people grow up in families or live in communities where it is assumed they are Christians and it is expected they will go to church every week. But their Christianity is a social activity, without a change of heart. Their Sunday morning worship does not impact their behavior Monday through Saturday.


It must grieve God’s heart to know Jesus died for people who claim His name but fail to receive Him. Sometimes the most religious people are the ones who are farthest away from the Lord. Mahatma Gandhi, the well-known prophet from India, is said to have observed, “I like your Christ; I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” God and the world are both watching. What do they see?