It's Not Hypocrisy, It's Redemption

One thing many born-again Christians are called at least once in their lives is a hypocrite, or someone who isn’t really who they claim to be, someone whose past disqualifies their present faith. When words like that are thrown at us, they hurt. They hurt because we know who we are now, even as we carry the weight of who we once were. They hurt because we may still wrestle with guilt from our former life, even after surrendering our flesh. And most of all, they hurt because people become so focused on who they don’t want us to be that they completely miss who God is and what He’s done in our story.

As someone who lived a very different life before fully committing to Christ, I can confidently say that the people who knew you before often hold an image of you that no longer exists. I say this often, but if you knew me in high school or college, you genuinely do not know me now. I experienced a radical transformation. One that pulled me away from chasing the things of the world: the partying, the drinking, the gossip, the negativity, and turned my heart toward the Creator instead.

Something you might not know is that scripture is filled with stories of radical spiritual change. We often think of Paul (formerly Saul), Zacchaeus, Peter, or even Moses. But today, I want to talk about someone you might not immediately think of: one of the thieves hanging beside Jesus on the cross. Jackie Hill Perry spoke about him at Passion 2026, and it deeply impacted me. If you haven’t watched her message yet, pause here and watch it—it’s worth it.

Now that you’re back, here’s a reminder of what you just listened to. Two thieves were crucified alongside Jesus. At first, both mocked Him along with the crowd. Then Jesus prayed a simple but powerful prayer: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Jackie pointed out something profound that follows this moment. While one thief’s heart remained hard, the other experienced a sudden and genuine change. In a matter of moments, he went from mocking Jesus to rebuking the other thief, acknowledging his own guilt, and placing his faith in Christ.

“But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:40-43

This is the radical transformation I’m talking about.

In just a few lines of Scripture, we see repentance, accountability, humility, and faith. He chose to let Jesus in. He chose to take responsibility for who he had been and to surrender his life to Christ even in his final moments.

To the outside world, that transformation probably didn’t make sense. It likely looked hypocritical. After all, he was still hanging on a cross for the same crime. But this is exactly how God’s work often appears to the world. When Christians experience a radical calling or heart change, it can look confusing, even fake, to those watching from the outside. It may seem strange when someone no longer lives the way they used to. It may seem unbelievable when someone begins speaking boldly about God after their past is well known. But the truth is, this kind of change was never meant to make sense to the world.

Again, this is why I’ll always say, “If you knew me in high school or college, you don’t know me now.” You didn’t witness the moment everything shifted. You didn’t see the surrender, the conviction, the pruning. And the same is true for you. Those who call you a hypocrite or accuse you of “running from sin” don’t understand what it actually costs to turn toward God. Choosing Christ after a life of sin forces you to confront who you were, repent deeply, and walk forward in obedience. It isn’t easy. It isn’t instant. It’s a refining process, and it’s beautiful.

Friend, I pray your story points others to Christ. I hope your transformation makes people curious about God, not skeptical of Him. May they see Jesus in you, not your past, not the old you, but the new creation you are in Christ.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

2 Corinthians 5:17