Pharisees or Living in Flagrant Sin: Is There Nothing in Between?

The church in this day and age is waxing more and more either like the Pharisees or getting lost in the crowd. I don't understand why we have to go from one extreme to the other. Seems like we're either hammering people with our Bible verses or living in flagrant sin. There must be something in between!

Now more than ever we need to quit focusing on "God's best for our lives" (self, self) and start focusing on loving others (others, others) the way Christ loves us. We will never win souls with our clever arguments or our "standing up for our religious liberty." Makes us all look like a bunch of hot-heads in starched suits. Who wants to follow that?

We need to show the world more Christlike behavior and godly relationships. Do what Jesus said do, not just be puffed up with knowledge. Follow only the leaders who are following Christ.Quit being just like the world in the way we idolize celebrities and entertainment.

We need to live the Bible, not just speak it. The body of Christ is more than just a mouth. A body has more than a mouth. Or at least last time I looked.

I don't actually like to criticize "the church." I am the church. Believers are the church. But we all need to take some responsibility here. Too much star-gazing (not the astronomical kind) and not enough devotion to the local church. Anyway, I don't care if you like this or not.