Be a Virtuoso!

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

I was convicted by Stephen Moore’s article, “To Be the Noun, You Have to Do the Verb.” Moore challenges us by proclaiming, “You can’t be a writer if you don’t write. You can’t be a musician if you don’t practice. You can’t be an artist if you don’t create.” Now that both my shoulders have healed from rotator cuff surgeries, I have no excuses for not picking up my guitar again. Until I do, I cannot call myself a guitar player.

Similarly, it isn’t farfetched to ask, “Can you be a Christian without living it?” If I had a dollar for each time through the years, someone’s said to me, “I’m a Christian; I just don’t believe in Church.” Or “I’m a Christian, but I don’t pray.” Or “I’m a Christian; I just don’t believe in the Trinity.” I’m sure you’ve heard a few statements of conviction without commitment in your time as well.

God’s grace saves us, and not by works, but if you want to live up to the commitment of the name Christian, you must act like a real guitar player and practice. Christians practice through weekly worship, daily prayer, regular mission, caring for others, and Biblical study. Like any committed musician, a dedicated Christian organizes a practice routine and prioritizes it. Take a moment today and put together your Christian practice regiment. The Holy Spirit might just make you a religious virtuoso.