Practice What You Preach (Part 1)

The expression “practice what you preach” goes way back in Jewish tradition to a saying that can be translated as “fulfill or establish what you preach.” Yet, the biggest complaint I hear from non-Christians is, "I live just as good as those who claim to be Christians!"
I've heard that all my life and seen it in real life, in ministry, and in the church.

I believe there are two reasons why Christians do not practice what they preach or at least appear to others to not be practicing what they preach.

a. First, not all who profess to be Christians really belong to Christ.

Jesus warned in His parable of the wheat and the tares that there would be false believers in the world, whose aim is to cripple the testimony of Christians so that our witness to the world would be compromised. Satan tries to destroy Christ’s work by placing false believers and teachers in the world who lead many astray. One has only to look at the latest evangelical scandal to know the world is filled with professing “Christians” whose ungodly actions bring reproach on the name of Christ. In Matthew 7:22, Jesus warned that many would profess faith but do not know Him. He also told us we would recognize false believers by their fruit. A bad tree does not produce good fruit, nor does a good tree produce bad fruit according to Luke 6:43. Part of bad fruit is to not practice what you preach.

b. Second, we as Christians are not perfect.

Christians are expected to “practice what you preach,” but we preach a message that is, ultimately, impossible to live up to. While sinlessness is to be our goal, it is not always achievable in this lifetime. The fact that we fail to live up to God's perfect standard, however, does not change the fact that it is to be our goal and message. Also, many times professing Christians behave in an un-Christian manner out of immaturity in the faith or through a lack of understanding of exactly what the Christian life entails. New believers are often excited about their newfound faith and eager to share it with others. When, because of immaturity, their lives do not measure up to their testimony, charges of not practicing what you preach are leveled at them. As we grow and mature in the faith, our lives should more and more reflect the truths that we profess to believe.

Fortunately, people are not saved by whether or not others practice what they preach. Salvation is the gift of God through faith. No amount of false professions by unbelievers or disappointing actions by immature Christians can change that. Jesus is still the Lamb that was slain for our salvation and eternal hope. People may let you down, but He never will.