September 26

Do Hypocrites Also Receive Forgiveness?

"Let favor be shown to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness; in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly and will not behold the majesty of the Lord."

Isaiah 26:10

It's common for hypocrites to come to confession. The Lord complains: "This people draweth nigh unto Me with their mouth and honoreth Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me." A hypocrite pretends to be something they're not. In religion, hypocrisy means acting like a Christian on the outside, while inside, not truly believing. It's despicable to try to seem outwardly what one is not inwardly. Such a person attends church, but not to listen to God's Word. They do everything, or at least many things, expected of a faithful church member, but only to congratulate themselves on their good deeds, like the Pharisee in the Temple. They go to confession, but not to confess their sins; they humble themselves before God and pray, "God be merciful to me, a sinner," just as the publican did. They go to be seen by others; or they go to offer God a sacrifice like Cain's; or they go to turn the house of prayer into a den of thieves, for there are those who worship money right in front of the crucifix and under the sound of the Gospel. It will be a shocking moment for these people when the Judge confronts them: "Depart from Me, ye that work iniquity!"

Such hypocrites do not receive forgiveness of sins through the word of absolution. God's grace is offered to them in absolution, but they do not accept it with faith. We know from God's Word that true faith in Jesus Christ must live in a person's heart. It's possible to fool people, but it's impossible to fool God, who knows the thoughts of the heart. God is not satisfied with just a verbal profession. Therefore, ensure that your verbal confession comes from your heart. The unrepentant sinner, in absolution, does not receive God's grace and forgiveness, but His anger and displeasure remain on them. May the Lord save us all from hypocrisy and its dreadful fate and keep us in the true faith until our end!

Prayer

O my God, do not let me perish under the weight of my sin, nor despair as did Cain and Judas, but turn to me and be gracious unto me and forgive all my sins. Show unto me, I pray Thee, Thy fatherly heart of love and mercy, which has no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but earnestly desires that he turn from his way and live. Speak kindly to my soul, saying Thou wilt show mercy, instead of dispensing justice, and for Jesus Christ's sake, nevermore remember my transgressions. Amen.

"O lay to heart this wondrous thought,

Through what sore agony

And death was your redemption bought,

And to your Savior flee

Ere 'tis too late. The world disown

And fix your love on Christ alone

And do His will; for at the final doom

Those who dishonored Him shall wrath consume."

Daily Bread For Home Devotions