Discussing
Canned Pumpkin and Christian Authenticity

Christians are to sinners as pumpkins are to squash. Trust me on this...

This truly describes how we portray ourselves and our lives in the eyes of the unbelievers. Thank you for this explanation that I am going to share with my pastor and our church family in hopes that we may reach another lost soul.

Excellent parable!!!!!!

I don't disagree with the essential point of this post, but I hear the point made so often, by those inside the church frankly, more than those outside.

And the repetition of the point has caused me to ask, 'so does sanctification actually happen?' Or is that some theoretical work of the Holy Spirit that we talk about in doctrinal discussions but don't believe happens in the real world?

I've been a practicing attorney for 37 years. My experience is that on the whole, real Christians (which does not in my mind precisely match the list of those who attend a church) deal with matters of business and conflict (not to mention crime, etc) much "better" than, again in the whole, non-Christians do. No, there is not a precise statistical correlation but still a pretty big one by my decades of observation.

But shouldn't there be a big difference? Doesn't the church (at least all reformed varieties) believe that justification produces a sanctification process, a change in how we "do life"?

And shouldn't the church be bold about suggesting a life dedicated to the lordship of Jesus Christ is, dare I say, better? Even if making that suggestion will certainly be cause for some to say "So you think you are better than everyone else"?

Frankly, I don't know of any churches or Christians that suggest they are without sin, or even close to that. Not one (although I'm sure I can Google for them and find accounts of them). But I do know of churches and Christians who are pretty disinclined to publicly suggest to the outside world that intentionally living a life that follows Jesus Christ (being a "Christ-ian") is a BETTER way, that being a Christ-ian in fact changes how one foes life, and for the BETTER.

After all, saying these things will undoubtedly be met with the usual accusation.