{Insert Lawyer Joke Here}

Over all the years of ministry I have done hundreds of Bible studies with people with various different reactions and results. Some have been joyous, some sad, some frustrating, some comical. I have at times been at a loss for words for how to respond to a person. Once on a campaign, I studied with a man that has recently had his wife leave him for another man. In spite of being the innocent party, her divorce lawyer had taken him to the cleaners. He was heartbroken and bitter about the ordeal and was looking to find answers for his life. We studied the scripture together, he began to see how he needed to make his life right with God but he was hesitant to obey. So we set a follow up study for the next day.

The next day we received word he would not be coming to the study or even to the church again. After he got home he read the brochure we had given him about our campaign. It told about the director of the campaign who was a former judge and attorney. He said that “no group that was led by lawyer could be true Christians!” I knew he was wrong but could think of a way to tell him that wouldn't make him even more upset. (And some lawyers I knew made me think he might be on to something.) Later on I ran across the answer, I should have given him in Titus 3:13. There the Bible tells us about Zenas the lawyer and his work for the cause of Christ. Even with that verse however; I don’t know if that would have overcome his hate filled excuse.

This fellow isn't the only person that doesn't like lawyers, but his faulty assumption was one of the most unique excuses I have seen given for not obeying the Gospel. It may be unique but not too dissimilar from a very common excuse that lots of people give for rejecting Christ and his Church. You have heard it; the church is full of hypocrites. However faulty that assumption is specific situation, it has enough truth in general it to make people think it is a valid. The members of Christ’s church will never be perfect (1^st John 1:8). The church needs to strive to keep pure (1^st Corinthians 5:1-13) but even if there are unrighteous among the brethren that isn't a valid excuse to reject God commands. Another’s unfaithfulness doesn't make us righteous. The only person that God will judge you for is you (Romans 14:12). No matter the flaws in others, it should not keep us from the perfect God.

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