A few years ago Allen Iverson was traded from Philadelphia to Denver. When the trade was announced, all that we heard over the airways was his tirade about having to practice “Practice? What? You say, practice?” From what he said, you’d think, without practice, it was going to become the ‘Nuggets Night at the Improv.’ All we wanted in Denver was the team to get an ‘e’ for effort and that would take us from Improv to improve! And, yes, that took practice.
Anyway, I bring this up because a lot of Christians seem to have their ‘Church Times at the Improv.’ What I mean is that we do whatever we feel at the time; using our talents in a manner that best suits us, and on an emotional high, it’s dunk it Daniel; throw down on them lions. However, when it comes to doctrine; we go Allen: Doctrine? Practice? What? What are you talking about?
Frankly, I don’t know how we put a team on God’s court; which is the playing surface of the world; extending to the four corners of it, that knows little about God’s playbook; and spends less and less time talking with the coach. As for practice? You mean, putting into practice God’s playbook… following with discipline the strict rules of engaging our opposition? Practice? Really? Like everyday… from morning to evening… Sunday through Saturday? Unfortunately, many of us put on Christ as if our contemporary uniform was a slick jersey with a slogan; rather than the whole armor of God: belt, breastplate, helmet. Why shouldn’t it be that way? Everything else in Scripture has been stripped and culturally updated to keep it fresh. Just because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow doesn’t mean we have to be, right? As for rightly dividing the Word of God? Studying to show ourselves approved workman on the floor? Learning; through practice, which doctrines are essential to effective and joyful Christian living? Yes, all of this takes prayer, study, meditation, and yes, practice. However, if we don’t practice what God laid out in His book as He dictated through His prophets, apostles, and our cornerstone, Jesus; I pray you think again. You might dribble well, but I’ll pass.
Well, what more can I say? Maybe somewhere in this God will reveal a nugget of truth, and remember this much: If He has you in the palm of His hand, He will neither drop you nor the ball.
