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PRA•X•IS Defined

Pra-x-is  [prak-sis], noun, verb.  (transliteration from the Greek)

Noun

1.    Function implying sustained activity

2.    Performance of some deed

3.    Customary daily activity

 

Praxis is a Greek word literally meaning “practice.”  The church often speaks about orthodoxy (right belief), but not often about orthopraxy (right practice).  Unfortunately, we can so overemphasize the importance of belief that we neglect the practices of faith.  Yet James, the brother of Jesus, says, “Faith without works is dead.”  Belief that fails to motivate us to action is not saving faith.

What are the practices of faith?  Scripture is clear that those who love and trust Jesus will respond with a life of gratitude and obedience.  The Christian life is marked by a variety of practices and behaviors that span every area of our lives, from hospitality to sexual ethics to honesty to worship.  

We will focus on just five practices this year, contained within the acronym PRA•X•IS:  

 

Pray for the entire world,

Read through the entire Word,

Add to the community,

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X is not a practice but a reminder.  The Greek letter Chi, or X, represents Christ.  These practices are only meaningful if Jesus is at the center of each of them.

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 Invest in the Kingdom, and

Send yourself to the nations.

 

We chose to highlight these practices for several reasons:  they are relevant for Christians at every step of the spiritual journey, they can be begun anytime, and with the right tools they are specific, measureable and time-based.  Moreover, we believe that living out these behaviors will stimulate other Christian practices.

Our salvation is not earned; it is given.  Nevertheless, the apostle Paul instructs us to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”  We pray that you, through the PRA•X•IS of faith, will be assisted in the spiritual work of a relationship with God; and may you discover as well that ultimately “it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).