No one aspires to be an armchair-athlete; it’s something we become if we are not wary.  Armchair-athletes are the people who religiously watch sports, wear all the gear and seem to be experts – but they usually don’t play sports or exercise themselves.  They are often critical and judgmental when real athletes drop the ball and are quick to tell how they would have made the plays – but in reality they are exhausted by simply getting off the couch.  

One of the reasons why few aspire to be Christians today is because of ‘armchair- Christians’.  We have too many ungraceful Christians being critical and judgmental of others.  Their pious speech makes them seem like experts on Christianity, but they seldom practice the graceful ways of Christ.
Today, people see Christians as narrow-minded hypocrites.  They soon learn what Christians say is very different to how they live.  They witness Christians being rude and judgmental; Christians being deceitful and dishonest; Christians grumbling and breaking under adversity; Christians that have joyless marriages and dysfunctional family lives; Christians that are miserable and depressed.  They look at these Christians and say, ‘I live better than them.  If that is what being a Christian is, then I want no part of it.’
However, Jesus Christ is the example of what a Christian should be. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us … full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
As Christians, we should be reflections of Christ.   We should be spiritually powerful people who excel in the sport-of-life.  We should stop throwing rocks at people whose sins are different from ours and start showing grace.  In times of adversity we should be poised, compassionate and relaxed; in times of prosperity: graceful, charitable and considerate.  Our marriage should be a living example of joy; our family life an example of team unity.   The only way to achieve this is to apply the Word of God and put it into practice in our own life (not force it on others).
When people examine the lives of Christians they should see a relaxed, inner strength and joy which they themselves lack and dearly would like.  However, this will only start happening when Christians stop being armchair-Christians and dedicate themselves to being Christian-athletes.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5