First I'll say I that I understand how this issue can upset people. Although we Christians want to do the right things, we fail sometimes. I think most people understand that. But when someone who proclaims that his/her life has been changed as a result of being saved by Christ constantly does wrong without seeming to feel remorse or conviction about it, that's a different thing altogether. I can certainly imagine how this might cause someone who is seeking God to question Christianity's validity. This effect is one thing that we Christians should definitely keep in mind as we conduct ourselves on a moment-to-moment basis. We should be horrified at the thought of turning away seekers.

The truth is that not all people who say they are Christians really are. Many people think that just because they go to church or "believe in God", they're Christians. But a true Christian is someone for whom all the following is true:

• He (she) believes in Christ's death/resurrection to save us from the penalty of our sin (death).
• He (she) has realized his sin and confessed it to God.
• He (she) is forgiven and born again, because he has asked for forgiveness.
• He (she) is born again/has the Holy Spirit within him.
• He (she) puts his faith, belief and trust in Christ Jesus.
• For more information on how to become a Christian, click here.

If someone tells me that all of the above is true for him, I can't judge whether it's true or not; that is between he and God.

There are several schools of thought as to why someone who says he is born again may live a life that is seeming consistently marked by sin without conviction or remorse. I will focus on two:

• The person is a "backslider". He has the Holy Spirit within him, but has suppressed the Holy Spirit and the evidences of righteous living just aren't present.
• The person was never "truly saved" to begin with. He may have "head knowledge" of Christ, but not a personal relationship with Christ; he never put his faith and trust in Jesus.

I don't know which is true, maybe both. But I do know that neither represents what God wants for mankind. Christ came that people "might have life, and have it more abundantly".

When you get right down to it, does someone else's life really matter between you and God? Don't let someone else's sins, mistakes or even seeming "hypocrisy" impact your decision on the matter. After all, Christ is the only person who ever lived a sinless life, and as such, should be our role model, not any person.

Christ is offering you the free gift of eternal life. He loves you so much he died to give you that gift. Accept Christ as your savior and rejoice!