[mrnoodle]

Everyone fails to follow the teachings of Christ. Some do better than others, but even the most devoted follower of Christ screws up. Mother Theresa had her own private sins. The idea of being a Christian is to turn from sin and walk the other way instead of continuing in it. But you're right, there are a lot of hypocrites who claim to be Christians but aren't. Or they are, but have fallen so far back into their old nature that they are useless as Christians.

I fear the results of my own hypocrisy every day. I try, but the day never goes by that I don't at least think something wrong about another person, cheat my employer by....oh, say, spending too much time on the web, or do something that leaves a bad example to others. Those are *good* days. But knowing Christ has your back is a good, peaceful feeling. It helps when you're feeling physically sick, when you're watching your dad battle cancer, when the money disappears, when someone cheats or otherwise hurts you, etc. etc., that no matter what happens, you are under the eye and protection of the almighty, and you will get strength to get through it. If I had to gain that kind of strength via "acting moral", I'd be up a creek.