Hi Robert,
There are many smarter folks on this forum that could talk about this but I’ll give it a go.
Try to imagine, not knowing Christ. Even with all of our disagreements and questions, He still beckons to us to learn about him. Every one of us who are Christians, are changed from what we once were. Something happened in us.
Now those before Christ had nothing but a hope of something to come (Jews) and the gentile (heathen) had… well they had their gods and ways.
Before Christ all were in darkness. Christ is light. It allows us to start to see. See things we never could before. The gospel of John talks in length about the light. I think it was Calvin who said that all humanity is shown very small snippets of Gods wonder and glory. He used the analogy of being in total darkness and a lightning bolt flashes. For a split second, you can see, then all is dark again. The excuse of not knowing has been taken away.
Christ allows us to start to see. Many of the Jews hardened their hearts and did not see the light. Meanwhile, some gentiles that heard about the Christ were changed. They were allowed to see.
And you are correct that even with the Holy Spirit we still fall short and sin. But I think this is where the idea of sanctification has merit. I’m a different Christian than I was twenty years ago. Yes I still fall short, but I have more peace and security in Christ in my life than I’ve ever had. I look at certain Christian men who are older than me and they flat out astound me in how humble and focused and peaceful they are. I hope to be there some day.
In many of Paul’s letters he continually is going on about the deeds of the flesh vs. the fruit of the spirit. Now I may be a little slow, but If those folks in those churches had it together, I don’t think He would have gone into such detail. Galatians is a prime example. He starts out talking about those who would bring a gospel different from the one he told them and ends up talking about holding one another up. In the 6th chapter it says Gal 6:1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
I think this is spiritual vs. being fleshly. See Romans the 7th chapter
Now there is an argument that Paul is not talking about those in Christ but outsiders coming into the church. But in the 4th chapter (of Galatians)he calls them brethren and says they are sons with the Spirit of Christ, but then goes as far as to say he fears that his labors might have been in vain. That is heavy. Hard to read that and not imagine this is Spiritual mortal combat.
As far as when sin will cease, and the hypocrisy that seems to be prevalent, all I can say is that sin will not cease while we are in this fleshly body, (at least that is how it seems to me) but the occurrence of sin and the destructiveness of our sin should be lessening as we mature in Christ. As we learn and get strengthened in the spirit, that light of Christ shows more and more of our flaws (to our self) but the Holy Spirit is making us stronger and sharper and more useful every day.
Most hypocrisy in the church comes from some kind of fear that we are somehow going to allow the adversary to get a foothold. We somehow think Christ and/ or the Spirit in us is not capable of combating the enemy. Somehow pointing out each others sin and their less that pleasant consequences is better than trying to trying to restore them in kindness. Hypocrisy is combated by love. Love is patient, love is kind,* does not consider a wrong suffered*. When we individually or as an organized church body choose to deal with any situation with love, we can do no wrong. When we choose to put others ahead of our self, we will start to help in the healing of our wounded as opposed to shooting them.
Enough said.