On the first day of football practice of every season Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, would take a football and look at his players and say, Gentlemen, this is a football.” It seems silly to say to professional football players, but he was making a point. Practice was critical, and he wanted them to take it seriously. As Christian, we are to practice what is right.
1 John 3:7
“Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as He is righteous.”
Keep It Simple
John kept following Jesus very simple. Say you love Jesus, but you don’t love your brother? You don’t love Jesus. Did you blow it and stumble into sin? Confess your sins and be forgiven. People were making discipleship more difficult than it should’ve been way back in John’s day. Now he tells the church not to be deceived. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous. If you have been made righteous by your faith in Jesus, then your life will manifest righteous deeds.
Resist Temptation
This is an excellent time to take an assessment of your life? Are you prone to do the right thing, or are you constantly struggling not to do the wrong one? Practice what is right by being obedient to scripture. Resist temptation and flee from evil, and you are on the path to practicing righteousness. Surround yourself with people who can hold you accountable in the areas that you struggle with.
Practice What is Right
Doing the right thing doesn’t make you righteous. It shows that Christ is sanctifying your heart. Some people can do the right thing some of the time, few people can do the right thing every once in a while, but only those with the righteousness of Jesus can do the righteous thing consistently. That is because the Gospel has transformed your heart and mind. It just comes naturally.