Practicing Our Faith

Since I have been a musician all of my life I know the meaning of the word “practice.” It involves daily discipline, setting aside time each day to focus on skills with the end result of improving one’s artistry. When I first started playing the trumpet at 10 years of age I had to think about each note I played and what valve to push down on the trumpet. Over the years I progressively got to the point where it became automatic and natural. It became an expression of myself.

So it is with our faith. The Bible has some passages that talk about practicing. How is this done? It begins with studying God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 says, “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that one may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  When we practice we are training ourselves.

Just like practicing a musical instrument working on the basics of musicianship, what are the basics that need to be given focus as we “train in righteousness?” 2 Peter 1:5-10 lists faith, virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. Then it says, “if you practice these qualities you will never fall” from your faith.

More basics of one’s faith to practice are given in 1 Timothy 4:11-15. They are “speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity…Practice these things, immerse yourselves in them, so that all may see your progress”.

It has been said in the music field that if you miss one day of practice you know it, if you miss two days of practice your colleagues know it, but if you miss three days of practice everyone knows it. If we don’t keep consistently in the Word of God and don’t practice the basics given in the above verses, it could become evident to others in our interactions with them. Our progress in the faith will not be seen.

However, if we do practice these things, if we work at specific areas of our faith, our spiritual natures will become more and more a part of our being without thinking about it. It will come naturally.

In summary:

One, set aside a time every day to practice your faith through reading and studying the Bible.

Two, give focused attention on some specific quality that you need to work on that will enhance your spiritual growth, so that your progress will be evident to those around you.

Three, trust that God, through the power of his indwelling Spirit, will work out these qualities through your daily practice, into making them part of your nature.

Remember, practice, practice, practice, not to earn your salvation, but to bring your life more into conformity with the attributes of Jesus. What specific qualities listed above do you feel you need to practice the most? What attributes do you believe you do a good job of exhibiting to others?