{"id":3277,"date":"2016-01-17T09:00:18","date_gmt":"2016-01-17T15:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3277"},"modified":"2016-01-17T22:33:32","modified_gmt":"2016-01-18T04:33:32","slug":"choose-to-practice-practice-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3277","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Practice, Practice, Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another Year of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Practice,<\/a>Christians know they are saved by grace, not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)\u00a0 Salvation is a free gift from God. \u00a0If we could earn salvation, we wouldn\u2019t need God to give it to us.\u00a0 And if we could earn it, we would definitely take all the credit.\u00a0 We would boast about how great we are. \u00a0There are no \u201cwork-oriented\u201d requirements we must meet to assure forgiveness. \u00a0There are no check-lists of dos and don\u2019ts that will make God love us more.<\/p>\n

Yet\u2026 we are admonished to integrate Christian principles into our lives.\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 So we can gain wisdom. (Matthew 7:24)\u00a0 So we can be happy.\u00a0 (John 13:17)\u00a0 So we can be constantly reminded of our identity in Christ so we don\u2019t forget who we are.\u00a0 (James 1:22-23)\u00a0 So we can be blessed. (James 1:24)<\/p>\n

Integrating Christian principles into our lives takes effort on our part.\u00a0 Paul said that mature Christians have \u201ctrained themselves to distinguish good from evil\u201d by constant use of what they have learned. (Hebrews 5:14 NIV)\u00a0 Timothy was told to train himself in godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7)\u00a0 In other words, we need to train ourselves to consciously and consistently use what we\u2019ve learned.\u00a0 Use it or lose it.\u00a0 God will not automatically give us good habits or self discipline.\u00a0 God will not force moral character upon us.\u00a0 We get these things by actively practicing the Christian principles we\u2019ve been taught so we can be a reflection of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n

Paul said, \u201cWhatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me \u2013 put into practice.\u201d\u00a0 (Philippians 4:9 NIV)\u00a0 Practice, practice, practice\u2026\u00a0 They say practice makes perfect.\u00a0 I\u2019m not sure perfection is the goal.\u00a0 However, the more we practice Christian principles, the easier it is to keep them integrated in our lives.<\/p>\n

\"Piano\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The great pianist Arthur Rubinstein once said, \u201cIf I neglect practicing one day, I notice; two days, my friends notice; three days, the public notices.\u201d\u00a0 \u00a0I think the parallel to being a Christian applies here.<\/p>\n

Consider this:\u00a0 Why would God save us so we can remain in our old ways of life?\u00a0 Actually, that\u2019s one of the things God is saving us from.\u00a0 God saves bad people (all of us are bad people in one way or another) so we can become good (better).\u00a0 Why?\u00a0 So we can lead happier, healthier, and more productive lives.\u00a0 That\u2019s what God desires for us, but we must do our part to achieve it.<\/p>\n

Life is our spiritual training ground.\u00a0 So actively practice, practice, practice!\u00a0 Practice integrating what God has taught you into your daily routine.\u00a0 You\u2019ll be happier\u2026 and so will everyone around you.<\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026 \u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Think about one of your weaknesses (we all have them) and practice being attuned to opportunities to improve in that area \u2013 one day at a time.\u00a0 Here are a few examples but you probably have ideas of your own.<\/p>\n