DO YOU PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH?

One of the most difficult questions, and the most important question is, “DO YOU PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH?” – to make it more personalised – “Do I practice what I preach to others?” If we, sincerely, and with all honesty, approach to answer this question, a knife should pierce our hearts, even as we ask the question. There are no exceptions, and no exemptions, to any person in this world.

The inspiration for today’s meditation, came from a quote, that I read recently. 
– “The hardest thing is not about how you describe God and faith. It is about, can you practice what you preach.” – FairTalk

The above quote is something, that should make, all of us to think seriously. It made me ask, “How many of us ask this question to ourselves?” and “How many of us answer this question with integrity?” The following came to my mind, when I asked myself, “Do I practice what I preach to others?”
– “Not easy…but not trying is much worse…dropping it altogether is the worst of all.”

Let me elaborate it…
1- Honestly speaking, it is NOT EASY to practice all what we preach. There will be falterings, fallings and failings in the life of every Christian. This happens many times over, in the life of every Christian.

2- Just because there are falterings, fallings and failings, it should not stop us from trying. Not trying is much worse than, failing after trying. Wanting to live for God, a holy and righteous life, is a godly desire. We should nurture this desire prayerfully, despite any personal failures.

3- There are times in the life of a Christian, when we feel, living for God is not possible, and so, want to give up completely. We want to give up because we seem to be failing, all too often. Many times, actively courting sin. Certainly it is not a great feeling, and a pleasant situation. However, giving up altogether, is worst of all things. It doesn’t help us any bit, and it is not worth it.

The key to practicing, all what we preach is, a deeper, a fuller and a proper understanding, of all what God is expecting from us, and the reality of a redeemed Christian’s personal strength, and his situation.

We should approach our Christian walk with a proper understanding of, God’s way of dealing, with fallen human beings.
– To live and to walk on the narrow path, that God has called us to walk, is not possible, in our own strength.
– We have to learn to lean on God, His Word, and step out, to walk in faith, and in obedience. This is the only way.
– Whenever we fail, we should pause and ponder, to ask, why have we failed.
– Then run to God, as soon as possible, and seek sincerely, the forgiveness of our sin.
– It is good to remember that, we will have to repeat this process, many times in our lives, before we begin to walk steadily in our Christian walk.
– Walking steadily is not walking perfectly. This understanding should help us see in proper perspective, all what is there, about Christian life and living.
– Perfection in holy living is impossible for a Christian in flesh. *This should not cause us to take it as, license to sin.* 
– We live for God, by trusting Him to help us. If we fail, He is there to graciously help us out of the mess, and enable us to walk faithfully for Him.

– “Strength is definitely required to live the Christian life. However, not the strength that comes through self-exertion; but the power that comes from yielding to God, who strengthens those who acknowledge their weakness and dependence on Him.” – Mark Allan Williams
– *”​1 Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”* – Psalm 127:1

Let us continue this thought into tomorrow. As of today, let us know that, perfection is not possible here on earth. If we fail, we should pause, ponder, and run to God, with repentive heart, seeking His forgiveness, with all sincerity. This God given provision of, graceful and merciful forgiveness, should not be taken for granted, nor should it be misused, as licence to sin. Let us not give up with ourselves, if personal failures are following us faithfully, even after many years of being a Christian. Let us continue to trust God, and seek His face sincerely, that He would help us, to live for Him. Even so, the LORD help us.