Weeding Out the Hypocrites

Saints, this is a true story which happened in the Soviet Union many years ago:

The underground church was singing choruses when two Communist soldiers entered with rifles. The service came to a halt as the soldiers stared at the believers with wild eyes. "What are you doing here!" they shouted. "Worshipping your imaginary God?" The church members cowered in the pews, wondering if there were more soldiers and guns outside.

"All those who are faithful to their God, move to the right side of the room!" one of the soldiers yelled, his face a mask of hatred. "You will be shot for your faith. Everyone else who wishes to keep their life and go home, move to the left. You must decide to live or die right now. Those who are faithful to this imaginary 'God' will die. Those who deny him can live freely."

Jut ten minutes earlier, everyone had been singing hymns equally. Now it was a question of life and death. Some stood to the left, looking sadly or waving apologetically to those on the right. A few stood on the right, their eyes closed in last-minute prayers.

"You on the left are free to go," one of the soldiers said. The people filed out, taking one last look at those who would soon be dead. When only those on the right remained, the soldiers put down their rifles.

"We too are Christians," they said, "but we wish to worship without hypocrites."

Dear Paul,
Great post...Thankyou :-)
God bless you,
richie

Maybe we should all take our guns to church this Sunday, and weed 'em out. Should be quite a service.

MC

Should be quite a service.

Hey guys, just to set the record straight, I'm not saying I approve of the Russian "hypocrite weeding" method! I just thought the story was good for generating a bit of dialogue. I don't advise anyone to bring an automatic weapon to church to test the choir, though the results may indeed be interesting!

For this, God has appointed a day.

Brother Paul 8-)

Russian "hypocrite weeding" method!

That's funny Paul. (edit: and I just got Mike's joke!) I did think that Roadsign, (if your reading this sister) might consider this 'coaching' technique.

I don't advise anyone to bring an automatic weapon to church to test the choir...

:knockedout:

MC

I also have heard this story told several times, but I have one BIG PROBLEM with this tactic. To wit, they LIED. Quote: "You will be shot for your faith." and "Those who are faithful to this imaginary 'God' will die." This is a textbook example of what is called "situational ethics" otherwise known as "the ends justifies the means". God never condones lying even if it is for a good reason.

Yes, it would be quite the [i]quiet[/i] service - that is, until the police arrived. Actually, I remember a few years back, here in Texas, where a pastor was arrested [i]in the pulpit.[/i] Evidentally, there was a warrant out for him, and they just came and got him in the middle of sermon. Just terrible. And I think it may have been for something stupid like an unpaid traffic ticket.

I guess I've gotten of the original theme of my post.

God never condones lying even if it is for a good reason.

Amen! But, dear friend, you must remember that these men were soldiers. We don't know how mature they were in Christ - or even if they were truly born-again of the Holy Spirit.

By law, "situation ethics" is permissible. A police officer can legally "lie" to you to get you to confess a crime. They can legally say stuff like, "We talked to someone who identified you. You may as well confess," when, in reality, that never happened. It's a legal method.

I can think of two instances in the word of God off the top of my head where "situational ethics" were used and God did not intervene or condemn:

1. David feigning insanity (techincally, he was lying).

2. Jehu calling a peaceful solemn assembly of the prophets of Baal, only to trick and slay them (read II Kings 10:18-28).

What about Jesus saying he was not going up to the feast, but later going in secret?

What about the 12 spies sent out by Moses? Isn't the whole idea behind espionage one of a covert and clandestine operation? Spies are usually shot when discovered! It is a form of "lying" in that spies go incognito, concealing their true identity and motive. Their goal is to evade discovery and the truth of their mission while gathering forbidden "secrets". Sometimes God calls us to evade. Look at all the underground churches that baptize at night in icy rivers. Look at all the illegal Bible smuggling! You would have to codmemn that also, if you say the ends cannot justify the means. Look at Paul being lowered through the wall in a basket. This could be considered trickery and deceit also. I imagine many will disagree with me! I am in no way condoning false witness. I'm just saying you need to look at the entire situation and judge righteously and not legalistically.

Would I have done what the soldiers did to determine who was real? Probably not. But this was a different culture, different circumstances, a different regime.

I just thought it was a neat little story!

May God richly bless you,

Brother Paul

Hahahaha,

"Maybe we should all take our guns to church this Sunday, and weed 'em out. Should be quite a service."

now, now, just the Sword will do, seriously, let's do use the Sword whenever prompted, only to have it sharpened and safeguarded in our spirit before we do.

:) that's funny

Sorry Paul,

It's not funny, I know. In fact, I quite agree with your admonishing and grieving heart over the churchians of our days.

As I too have often remind the true believers around me to be very discerning of the Pharisses, that they will not partake or stumble into their deceit or falsehood, be it in lifestyles or deceitful tongues.

Pardon my levity. Sorry.

No offense taken, dear sister!

I enjoyed reading your post, and I know you have a true heart for the Lord. You're absolutely right about the Sword of the Spirit! Preach on!

your loving brother

Paul

Hi everyone. I've heard this story too, with some differences in details. I [i]think[/i] Ray Comfort might even tell it in True and False Conversion? One of the differences was motive. It was said the reason they did this was that they did not want to risk fellowship with false brethren - they might be informers or some other such.

As to the question about lying and situational ethics, I recently heard a lecture by R.C. Sproul on this subject and the question of whether it was ever right to lie, from what the Bible says. He made refrence to the midwives in Egypt and also to Rahab as examples for consideration.

Chris

Well said Paul, and Chris brought the recollection of Rahab to the fore.

Had heard a similar but more drawn out situation I believe in India not too long ago. If I am recalling it correctly it had much to with informants within the gathering that they wanted to be sure they were rid of before allowing themselves to be more candid. And certainly do agree with the pragmatism of situational ethics, but more so in that lending to the "If this were to happen I would do thus and so", something we were commenting on elsewhere. The whole problem with this type of futuristic hopscotch is that the real reality, if it comes, is usually far afield of whatever hypothesis that was crafted for the event.

The longer I live the more this is coming home, to think we have things all figured out keeps getting wrecked by real realities. The Lord keeps changing up the circumstances until you finally realize what the real meaning of trusting Him is.

Edit: Just realized that Chris and I may be talking about the same story here...