Practice makes perfect, Perfect is Christ

Today in Sunday school we discussed being deliberate about living (practicing) the fruits of the spirit. To set out with the purpose to Love, be Patience, be Joyful, it is or at least it should be our cause as “followers of the way” that is Christians, to live our life in such a way as to “imitate” Christ. How we do that is not totally at our own discretion, we must do that which Christ did. In reading “The Imitation of Christ” by THOMAS À KEMPIS, in book 1 in the 25th chapter some insightful words, ones that should lead us to the realities of our daunting task.


“BE WATCHFUL and diligent in God’s service and often think of why you left the world and came here. Was it not that you might live for God and become a spiritual man? Strive earnestly for perfection, then, because in a short time, you will receive the reward of your labor, and neither fear nor sorrow shall come upon you at the hour of death.
There is one thing that keeps many from zealously improving their lives, that is, dread of the difficulty, the toil of battle. Certainly they who try bravely to overcome the most difficult and unpleasant obstacles far outstrip others in the pursuit of virtue. A man makes the most progress and merits the most grace precisely in those matters wherein he gains the greatest victories over self and most mortifies his will. True, each one has his own difficulties to meet and conquer, but a diligent and sincere man will make greater progress even though he have more passions than one who is more even-tempered but less concerned about virtue.
A fervent and diligent man is ready for all things. It is greater work to resist vices and passions than to sweat in physical toil. He who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones.
If you have spent the day profitably, you will always be happy at eventide. Watch over yourself, arouse yourself, warn yourself, and regardless of what becomes of others, do not neglect yourself. The more violence you do to yourself, the more progress you will make.”


It is much for us to be forceful with our own selves, but it is something we must do, we must crucify our selves, we must put to death the sinful carnal self that if left to its own self would destroy us and lead us even unto death, a death from which there is no recovery.



This is a job that one cannot do our self, or should even attempt to do without Christ. He is our strength. Isaiah 40:28-31 says, “Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary".


Christ is our victory, it is in Him, we find the strength we need to overcome temptation, and it is only in Him. Likewise, it is He, who is our place for rest and renewal.
The old adage says, “Practice makes perfect” as Christians, we need to practice being not perfect but practice being Christ, and that takes humble intention.