The Art of Practice

Practice is intensely practical and purposeful.  Every professional athlete or musician recognizes the distinct value of excellent practice.  Luckily, the principles of practice can be aptly applied to the whole of life.  If we consider Christian life, then, in terms of practice, a number of revealing images about the nature of life begin to rise to the surface.

A definition of practice serves as a necessary starting point for this dialogue.  Practice can be reduced to a method of repetition purposed for improvement.  When musicians practice, they may play the same song or scale innumerable times but all with the intent of progress.  Unfortunately, if the second part of the practice process, the focus on growth, is neglected, then it is not beneficial practice but more akin to repeatedly beating one's head against a brick wall: not going to make much headway beyond an achy head.

Instead, practice needs a dedicated focus on growth.  Like watering a garden, practice serves to feed growth.  In the case of practicing for life, we are tending to the growth of spiritual traits, holiness, and righteousness.  Quickly, the valuable necessity for developing a theology of practice begins to comes into view.

Scripture actually has much to say about practice, particularly in reference to those who practice unrighteousness and ungodliness (for a passing study see Gen. 44:5, 15; Deut. 18:9-10; 1 Kgs. 11:11; 2 Kgs. 21:2; Isa. 32:6; John 8:34; et al).  A general point should be made here.  If we are not practicing righteousness, we are unwittingly practicing unrighteousness.  Our natural, fleshly inclination is towards sin.  Therefore, it takes a focused effort for us to repent from our natural practice of unrighteousness to a Spirit-led practice of faith and holiness.

Methodology is not without its usefulness in this regard.  A good methodology can keep our aim sure in our quest for godliness.  There are two basic parameters to adhere to in the pedagogy of righteousness. The first is the Word.  If we are to grow in the image of Jesus, we have to become intimately acquainted with His Word.  This requires not only becoming familiar with the content of Scripture but also growing in applying the content to our own lives.

The second part of pedagogy is teaching.  Just like musicians have instructors and athletes have coaches, we need teachers who can guide our growth by exposing our blind spots and offering new material in accesible ways.  In the case of faith, this is referred to as mentoring.  Effective mentoring requires that not only that we are mentored but also that we mentor as well.  Thus we will be able to practice both learning the content of the Word and the application of the Word.  If we neglect either of these facets in the practice of righteousness, we will not see the growth God desires of us.

Paul, Peter, John, and the writer of Hebrews are unified in referring to the pursuit of righteousness in terms of practice (Phil. 4:9; 1 Tim. 4:15; Heb. 5:14; 2 Pet. 1:10; 1 John 3:7).  John escalates the necessity of practice by stating clearly, "By this it is evident who are the children of God and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his neighbor (1 John 3:10)."

This should compel us to take a more serious assessment of what we might be practicing in our own lives in order that we may be sanctified to practice righteousness with earnest rigor and Spirit-filled fervor.  Let us then eschew our fleshly practices of unrighteousness and to adopt a pedagogy of spiritual practice to become more like Christ!