Chapter 5: Practice From The Heart

Page 7

Clearly you should have learned from God’s Word that there are certain expectations that He has on the part of believers [who are sincere].

The two major questions now looming in this chapter are: Do we have to be perfect? Or, is it — practice, practice, and practice?

Is it possible to be a Christian and yet be a liar? Is it possible to be a

Christian and tell even a single lie? A single small lie? A single very small white lie [whatever that is in our modern twenty-first century culture]?

What is God telling us when His Word talks about “lying and not practicing the truth” in 1 John 1:6? Exactly what does it mean to “practice”

righteousness as we are told to do in 1 John 3:10? Do you suppose the very word “practice” has connotations that speak of some duty and action on the part of Christians? Again we are forced to confront the issue of whether we actually have to do something for our salvation or if it is simply a free ride,

as many Christians now believe. What do you think?

Clue: Does the receipt of any valuable free gift ever carry with it any responsibilities on the part of the recipient? If so, under what conditions and

why? Or is the recipient of the valuable gift free to do with it as they wish. After all, a gift is a gift, isn’t it? Don’t confuse the nature of receiving a free and valuable gift with the responsibilities associated with owning it. Also, think about under what conditions your behavior towards the valuable free

gift might be construed as either a direct insult or lack of respect towards the giver. By others observing your attitude towards the gift? By the GIVER Himself? Review the discussion on page 7 for more thought on this subject.

For now imagine that you are a Christian in Nazi occupied Holland during World War II and you are hiding Jews in your attic to save them from the death chamber. Maybe you are hiding Anne Frank, her father Otto and their family up there in your secret place. You have hidden the entrance to

the attic with a clever bookcase that now conceals the extra space you have. If the Nazi’s find these Jews, you know that they plan to kill them.

Suddenly, the door rings and a Nazi officer who is backed up by 15

Nazi soldiers asks you the pointedly direct question: “Are you hiding any Jews in your home?” “JUDANS???” What would your answer be?