Thomas Brooks was a non-conformist preacher from a Puritan family who lived from 1608 to 1680. His definition of a hypocrite really hits the spiritual nail on many a head as he relates –

“Hypocrites love to share Christ in His happiness, but they don’t love to share with Christ in His holiness. They are willing to be redeemed by Christ, but they are not cordially willing to submit to the laws and government of Christ. They are willing to be saved by His blood, but they are not willing to submit to His scepter. Hypocrites love the privileges of the Gospel, but they don’t love the services of the Gospel, especially those that are the most inward and spiritual…His heart never seriously works after union with Christ…A hypocrite may be willing to embrace Christ as a priest to save him from wrath, from the curse, from hell, from everlasting burning, but he is never sincerely willing to embrace Christ as a prophet to teach and instruct him, and as a king to rule and reign over him.” – from “A Cabinet of Jewels by Thomas Brooks

In other words, a definition of the hypocrite is one who is not willing to make Jesus Lord of his life. Let us make it our goal in our walk with Christ, to be willing to embrace Him fully in every aspect with no reservations whatsoever. Those who have received Jesus as Lord, walk in Him, for His sheep hear His voice, He knows them and they follow Him – wherever He leads.

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me - John 10:27

Copyright 2008 by H. D. Shively

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