Hypocrites and Hogs
A Christian once visited a farmer to talk to him about Christ. "I wouldn't
come to church up there," the farmer said. "I know old So and So (insert
a name) church goer who claims to be a Christian and So and So (insert another
name) church goer who claims to be a Christian, and they don't live any differently
from me. I'm as good as they are." Everywhere the farmer went, he told about
the hypocrites in that Church. Months passed and the Christian went to see
the farmer again. "I want to buy a hog," said the Christian.
The farmer showed all his best hogs to him. "I believe I will take that
one," the Christian said. "BUT you don't want that one. He's the worst runt
in the litter." "I sure do," said the Christian. So they loaded the runt
in the truck. "Now," said the Christian, "what if I take this pig here from
your farm and ride all over this area telling folks that this is the kind
of hogs you raise?"
"That's not fair!" the farmer exclaimed. "I have some nice hogs and you want to show people that runt?"...to which the Christian replied, "If it's fair for the church, it's fair for the hogs!"
We are guilty of this many times ourselves and are like the world when it comes to our judging the Church, aren't we? As the above story so aptly illustrates, how we and people of the world misjudge the church by pointing to the hypocrites and acting as if all Christians are like them. We are quick in seeing this. But do we not sometimes do the same things to one another. When you see only the weaknesses in the life of your Christian brethren and fail to see their good points, are you not doing the same thing the world does?
So then, go out and do right. Live right. Sin not...and above all, be not your brother's judge.
Leave the judging to our Lord!
--The Oakleaf, Oakhaven Church, Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Back to Contents Does God Exist?, JanFeb02.