Us vs Them: 'Them'

We live in an ‘Us vs Them’ world. (See previous blogs.) There are those who are alive in Christ and those who are dead in their sins. This life and death description refers to one’s relationship with God.

The gospel message is specifically for those who are a part of the ‘them’ group. The gospel is God’s plea to those who are dead in their sins to change their thinking about Jesus and follow Him. But what about the rest, the ‘us’ group. What is our relationship to ‘them’?

First, we should possess an attitude of understanding and cooperation. ‘They’ do not live according to the word of God; they do not intend to do so. We who follow Jesus live according to the Spirit. Yet, we should not be surprised that they live according to the flesh. In fact, many of them will find it offensive if we try to make them live according to the word of God. Make no mistake, God will hold everyone accountable, but He does not force anyone to choose Jesus. Just read the next two verses after the famous John 3:16. Read what Paul preached in Acts 17, especially verses 29-31. Look it up.

God also instructed His people (us) through the Apostle Paul:

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. 

--1 Corinthians 5:9-11

So, we live in this world, not in a cave in the hills or in a monastery cut off from civilization. God expects us to ‘rub elbows’ with them. In fact...

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” 

--Romans 12:18

In order for us to be at peace with others, we will do well to remember…

Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

--Romans 12:19

To follow that instruction means that there will be injustices in the world. We know that life is not fair, but we really need to embrace that fact and recognize that God will bring ultimate justice in the end. Until then, we await the Lord’s return which is delayed because of God’s patience…

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

--2 Peter 3:9

We should be motivated by the compassion of Jesus when He was dying on the cross. He prayed to God…

“Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

Those words were not for the world of lost sinners, but specifically for those who had called for and carried out His death. We should realize that those who have not chosen to follow Christ really do not know what they are doing when they ridicule us, mock us, harm us. It is an expression of love to pray for our enemies, asking God to open a door of opportunity so that the gospel might be presented to them. It is an expression of mercy to show compassion when you are hurt instead of demanding justice.

Being at peace with 'them' calls for genuine love and mercy from 'us.'

Mark Stinnett

June 14, 2026

How Do You Deal With a Hypocrite?

Do you have a friend or relative who is disgusted with the church "because it is full of hypocrites"? What do you say? What can you say? They ARE right, even though they are probably exaggerating to some extent. 

And yet, sometimes those who accuse are guilty of the same hypocrisy! That makes it a rather difficult and delicate matter. 

We should observe that Jesus is still Lord; still head of His church. He hasn’t quit because some so-called Christians were/are unfaithful or because some were/are playing church. 

Hypocrisy makes me sad for two reasons: 

First, in ideal circumstances there should be no hypocrites. 

Second, Christians should not stand in judgment of one another. 

I have misjudged plenty of people over the years only to realize that I knew very little about them. My perception was limited. I later discovered that they were not playing church, but were spiritually weak and doing their best. Some were young in the faith and immature. (For how long have you been perfect???) When I thought others should be more active, I discovered that they were. (Their good deeds were not done in front of me!) Still others were taking action on bended knee, behind closed doors, active in prayer. Leaders made decisions and I did not agree. Yet I later realized that I did not know all the facts that they knew.

All of that to say, I was terribly judgmental. So, I quit. 

No, I did not quit the church; I quit being judgmental. What made me quit? 

First, it was an exhausting task that left me disappointed and angry, and that was not good. 

Second, I applied the words of the Apostle Paul to myself: 

Who are you to judge the servant of another? To his own master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 

—Romans 14:4 (NASB95) 

I also remembered that Paul quoted God: 

“Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” 

—Romans 12:19 

Neither you nor I have been tasked with ensuring justice and equity and fairness while on this earth. That's God's job. I also remembered: 

The Lord…is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 

—2 Peter 3:9 (NASB95) 

And I remembered that God is not new to hypocrisy. He even recognized that...

"they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants…." 

—Romans 9:5 (NASB95) 

So, if you run into anyone who complains about hypocrites in the church, agree with them. Then ask if they have taken the time to approach their hypocritical brother or sister about their sin. Jesus was more interested in winning back a brother than pointing out fault: 

If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.

—Matthew 18:15 (NASB95)

The New Testament letters were written because the church is imperfect. We are naïve to think that God is not aware of hypocrisy in His church. Yet, He has instructed us how to deal with sin in His church. And while His instruction is strong, its application demands patience and gentleness. After all, the Great Shepherd does not want to lose any sheep, not even one.

Mark Stinnett

January 3, 2021