On September 15, 1963, four African American girls died by a bomb blast set off by racist white men in Birmingham, Alabama. The girls were killed during Sunday school in the 16th Street Baptist Church. Some violent people will use religion, even Christianity, to cloak their evil deeds. They may go to church on Sunday and yet commit evil deeds during the week. The Bible shows God roundly condemns such hypocrisy. God said by the prophet Isaiah Chapter 1, “I want no more of your pious meetings.” “When you lift up your hands in prayer, I will not look. Though you offer many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with the blood of innocent victims. Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” In any age God condemns hypocrisy. This should alert us to be sincere in our worship and let our daily deeds reflect those of our righteous God.
