A Pair of What? Of Paraprosdokians and Christians

Learning a funny new word helped give some fresh insight into a common but commonly misused term.

Recently a friend sent one of those email forwards that can be fun and interesting. This email contained a listing of clever phrases called paraprosdokians. A pair of what?

I have to admit I had never heard this word, but thankfully she included the definition: “Figure of speech in which the latter part of a sentence or phrase is surprising or unexpected; frequently used in a humorous situation.”

For example, “Where there’s a will—I want to be in it,” is a type of paraprosdokian.

Okay, you learn something new every day, right?

One of these paraprosdokians really caught my attention. It stated: “Going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.”

Given my line of work as a pastor, I really enjoyed that one!

Funny what you can learn

Yes, it’s kind of humorous, but when you stop and think about it, what a lesson it has for us! How clear it is that we don’t become something different just by entering into an enclosed space like a garage, chicken coop, lighthouse or sewage plant.

Let’s take it further. The parts of a car do not become a car just by sitting in a garage. The parts have to be systematically assembled by a higher intelligence, whether in a garage or a factory. It does not happen automatically.

Another example could be this: A child entering into a school building does not automatically become a scholar just because he or she is in the building. It takes listening to the teacher, studying and even being tested on the material.

Defining a Christian

So back to a person entering a church building. We might chuckle at the paraprosdokian, but many people would at least subconsciously define a person as a Christian simply because he or she attends worship services inside a church building.

I believe there are many people who “attend” church but are not living up to the biblical definition of a Christian.

The simple definition of a Christian is one who follows Christ. That would include obeying God and following in the steps and the example of Jesus Christ. Jesus kept the Sabbath and the biblical holy days, along with all the Ten Commandments.

He showed mercy, tenderness, compassion and love to a level most of us have never achieved. Yet our goal is clearly outlined in Ephesians 4:13: “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

A miraculous transformation—but not magical

As we come into a building where church services are being conducted, we do not magically become a Christian. We must listen to the messages presented and respond—much like a student in a classroom.

Becoming a Christian is a process that begins with an awareness that we need to change our lives. As we act on that awareness, we begin the process of repentance. This is portrayed in Peter’s sermon on Pentecost after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection.

“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’ Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 2:37-38).

Once a person receives this awesome gift from God, it can be said he or she has now begun his or her life as a real Christian. The conversion or transformation process must continue, and though it is only possible by a miracle from God, it is far from automatic. It takes 100 percent effort on our part.

But is it worth all that effort? Do we have any understanding about our incredible future as a Christian? I challenge you to read our booklet The Mystery of the Kingdom cover to cover for the astounding answer!

Ron Kelley and his wife, Nancy, live in Mocksville, North Carolina, where he serves as the pastor for three congregations of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.