32 - Should Christians Become “Better Christians” Over Time?

The church is the “righteousness of God,”  (2 Corinthians 5:21) but not as a result of anything one has done (or refrains from doing).  Last time we checked, people of all types are still making messes everywhere with everything.  The only scenario in which one can truly live the right way is when the Spirit is working through and in a person’s heart.  But shouldn’t one still try hard as well?   It's common knowledge that deep change can't be made in passivity.  But if it’s a work of the Holy Spirit, what does "putting forth effort" even look like, and what's the risks of getting all this wrong?  Joey, Lynne and Teddy discuss while reflecting on their own life-journeys of faith.  But at the top of the episode, Darrel Wallace, who tunes into Seacoast services as a volunteer every Sunday through Church Online, stops by to share his life story.  Despite a fair share of pain in his life, including emotional neglect from his parents, the loss of his wife to cancer, and a stint of being homeless, this Seacoaster is full of smiles and is about as thankful and optimistic as they come.  Stay Connected Website | Facebook Discussion Page   On This Episode Darrel Wallace ("Festus") / Facebook Lynne Stroy, co-host / InstagramTeddy Winter, co-host / Instagram Joey Svendsen, co-host / Instagram Bri Smoak, co-host, narrator /  Instagram Executive Producer: Josh Surratt Producer/Editor: Joey Svendsen Sound Engineer/Editor: JT Price Sound Engineer: Gabe Dewalk Theme song: Joel T. Hamilton MusicSeacoast Podcast is now on InstagramBe a Patron of the podcast We have a YouTube Channel for videos of all episodes since Jan. 2024. We'd love to hear from you.  E-mail Joey HERE. Producer/Editor/host: Joey SvendsenSound Engineer/Editor: Katelyn Vandiver