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Jesus stated He would forgive all our sins now in this life, not perfect us here. Final perfection will come when we die (or Jesus returns at His predicted Second Coming, whichever comes first).
However, in this life believers are exhorted to, »… not be conformed to the formers lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One Who called you, be holy yourselves in all your behavior; …« (1 Peter 1:14,15)
Yes, there are hypocrites in the church. However, remember that the church is like a hospital for the spiritually wounded (and we all have the disease of sin). To be honest, one should expect to see less-than-perfect people in the church … the central issue is that they realize their sickness, come to Jesus to forgive them, and begin the work of striving daily with the Spirit’s help to lead to a more holy, non-hypocritical lifestyle.
Furthermore, remember that many people who call themselves Christians are actually not. They are cultural Christians (for example, most people in their culture belong to a certain denomination or church), or pseudo-Christians (they have ‘prayed a prayer and ‘accepted’ Jesus as their Savior, but have never truly committed themselves to follow and obey Him), or social Christians (people who attend a church because it’s a ‘good and acceptable thing to do’). Like other so-called religious people, they follow a form of ‘churchianity’ rather than true ‘Christianity.’
All of these groups (and there are more) show a Christian façade, but are not truly born again by the Spirit of God. In the midst of suffering or persecution, their true colors will show. And Jesus said, »For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.« (Mark 8:38)
The issue is not whether Christians fail ... they will! The issue is that they are forgiven (if they truly are born again) and in the process of becoming holy and righteous … and less hypocritical.
Having said this, the question remains, »What will you do with the perfect, non-hypocritical Son of God?« If you turn from Christ, now knowing what you do, you should ask if you are demonstrating incredible hypocrisy yourself. (1 John. 4:2)
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