Practice, Practice, Practice

Don't be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don't give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. – Galatians 6:7-10 HCSB

Good people do not become so by accident. They do not become good while waiting around for the right thoughts to inhabit their brains. They do not become good by reading the right books by the right authors. If goodness came from education, then wouldn’t our country’s increased public education have resulted in improved morals? No – goodness comes by doing good deeds again and again until they become a part of our nature.

We’re not talking about the righteousness of salvation that can only be received as a gift from God. [1] We’re talking about every day goodness, ethics, morality and integrity. We’re talking about the kneading of the inward righteousness of God into every aspect of our lives.

As Paul put it, “So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who is working among you both the willing and the working for His good purpose.”[2]

God gives us the necessary impetus and empowerment[3] in order to be able to do what humans have long struggled to do – be a holy people. Even as we think about what it means to have been redeemed of our sins in practical terms, we can never glory in our search, for that desire was placed in our hearts by the Giver of Good Gifts. God is always prevenient – He always is first.

Yet, there remains a struggle. We are left with the need for practice just as Joshua had to be swinging his sword even as Moses stood with his hands upraised.[4] Faith and works; works through faith[5] – the constant tension between these two needs is the underpinning of the life of a tzaddik.

Jesus taught that we must forgive even when we do not feel like it. He taught that we must turn the other cheek though it goes against the grain. He commanded us to go out into all the world and preach the Good News even though it would surely mean our persecution.

This is why tzaddikim do not wait for their feelings. They obey God over and over, practicing their goodness until it becomes habitual, instinctive and even natural. We do it until we feel like it.

[1] Ephesians 2:8-9
[2] Philippians 2:12-13
[3] John 15:4-5
[4] Exodus 17:9
[5] James 2:17-18

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