Practice makes perfect

There are two things that I have noticed about playing sport. The first is that you the better at what you practice and that looking the part does not necessarily mean you are a good player.

The same is true of the Christian faith. We get better at what we practice and most certainly outward appearances can be deceptive.

We find that as we practice consistently reading our Bibles, praying, worship and fasting these things get easier. However it is far more than these spiritual disciplines. As we grow in the Christian faith we get much better at trusting God, at forgiving, at recognising and resisting the attacks of the enemies, at standing on the truth, at loving others, at not being discouraged at every setback and at breaking the bad habits and developing good ones

Unfortunately it is also true that as we practise bad things we will get better at them. That is why Paul wrote to the Galatians:   The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Galatians 5: 16 and 20 – 21. Paul was talking to believers here not unbelievers. Instead he encourages us to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (which) is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5: 22 - 23 

God also has a programme or spiritual journey for each one of us that is personal and is designed to help us grow more Christ like. It is a process and as we learn the lessons set before us we grow into the person whom God has made us to be and fulfilling our God given destinies.

The Holy Spirit is the most wonderful counsellor, guide, friend, exhorter, comforter, encourager and teacher and we have the Bible as the most incredible book to help us. We have the church and fellow believers to stand with us, pray for us and to strengthen us in our faith as fellow pilgrims on the journey. 

God wants us to succeed and even in the severest of trials, he is there with us and I am totally convinced that God will bring good out of every negative circumstance. He is honing and refining us. Perseverance is the key.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. He brews 12: 1- 3

Don’t give up. Keep practising the good and you will succeed.