I don’t know exactly how many people I’ve shoved away from the saving grace of Jesus but it’s a big number. A whole bunch of people have told me that they used to be Christian but my toxicity, hatefulness, and general unpleasantness caused them to renounce the faith and become…something else…which they can’t define.

So you are not alone, my friend! You are part of a growing group of apostates who realize that I am incapable of living up to the ideals I profess. You are correct to call me a hypocrite. My behavior often does not align with my values.

But I don’t want you to be deceived. Turning away from Christianity because I am a lousy Christian is irrational. Blaming me for your lack of faith makes you as big a hypocrite as me.

Suppose your auto mechanic told you to put water in your radiator to keep the engine from overheating. Then, you learned that your mechanic’s engine overheated because he didn’t put water in his radiator. You would be outraged! He talked about the virtue of water in the radiator but denied it with his actions!

You would never take your car to that mechanic again. In fact, you would stop going to ALL mechanics because your eyes are now fully open. Every mechanic has car troubles from time to time! None of them perfectly practice what they preach!

Then, as your vehicle deteriorated into useless scrap, you would post crazy statements to social media, “The number one reason for broken automobiles is mechanics!” Indignantly, you would announce, “I used to believe in auto maintenance but mechanics are such unlikable people. I’m cutting ties with them for my own safety and sanity!”

I don’t know who many people I’ve pushed away from Jesus but I’m sure that you are not one of them.

(Ephesians 4:16) They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.