--- title: "Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Practice Righteousness" description: What does John say? “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning.” What? How can that be? And then he goes on to say that we shouldn’t be deceived: image: https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610665432259.png --- [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) [![wordmark-sm](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/wordmark-sm.png?width=320&name=wordmark-sm.png "wordmark-sm")](https://grow.peacemaker.training) - [Store](https://pm.training/store/) - [Events](https://pm.training/events/) - [Events & Webinars](https://pm.training/events/) - [Bring Peacemaker to You](https://peacemaker.training/event-pricing/) - Help - [Conflict Training](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-training/) - [Conflict Reconciliation](https://peacemaker.training/conflict-reconciliation/) - [Peacemaker Consulting](https://peacemaker.training/peacemaker-consulting/) - [About](https://pm.training/about/) - [About the Ministry](https://pm.training/about/) - [Our Beliefs](https://pm.training/beliefs/) - [Staff and Board](https://peacemaker.training/staff-board/) - [Policies and Finances](https://peacemaker.training/policies-finances/) - [Donate](https://pm.training/donate/) ![blog-header](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/blog-header.jpg?width=1920&name=blog-header.jpg "blog-header") # Everyday Peacemaker # Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Practice Righteousness by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) / January 25, 2021 [![](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610665432259.png)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-practice-righteousness) Scripture *My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world*. (1 John 2:1–2, ESV) Thoughts  What does John mean when he writes, “if anyone does sin”? Isn’t it known that believers will sin? John clearly states the reason he is writing—so that we will not sin. Wait a minute. He is writing so that we *will not sin*, then he says “IF” we sin, not “WHEN” we sin. So, which is it: ”if” believers sin or “when” we sin? To answer that, take a look at these verses later in John’s letter: *No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.*(1 John 3:6, ESV) What does John say? “No one who abides in him keeps on sinning.” What? How can that be? And then he goes on to say that we shouldn’t be deceived: *Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.* (1 John 3:7, ESV) Here John clarifies that if we are *practicing *righteousness, we are righteous like Jesus is righteous. If we are *practicing*sin, we are of the devil. We are what we practice. Remember that practice and perfection are not the same. I practice my musical instrument because I want to get better at playing it. That is why he said, “**If **anyone sins.” While we are practicing righteousness, if we hit a wrong note, the Son of God is our advocate. Too many Christians live as if every day they are going to play the wrong note. So what they do is stop practicing. In essence, they stop playing God’s beautiful song in their life; they give up and say, “I guess God’s righteous symphony doesn’t matter, I am going to hit wrong notes every time.” No, no!  Let’s pick up our instrument and practice righteousness. If we make a mistake, Jesus is our advocate. Application In your relationships today, how can you practice righteousness? What is a step of righteousness that God wants you to take? Is it a step of forgiveness? Is an attitude of mercy? Is it a choice towards justice? What is your righteous step today? Prayer Lord, help me to practice righteousness consistently. Thank you for giving me the knowledge that if I make a mistake, you will be my advocate. . . . C*ontinue praying.* Tags: [Peacemaker Wisdom](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/peacemaker-wisdom), [Righteousness](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/righteousness) 0 Comments - - - - [previous post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-design-of-the-gospel) Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Design of the Gospel [Next Post](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-as-christ-forgave-you) Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: As Christ Forgave You ![P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Brian_Headshots08242018.43-Edit.jpg) ### [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) P. Brian Noble is an everyday guy who loves Jesus. He has been married to his best friend, Tanya, for 20 years and they have four children; they currently reside in eastern Washington. Brian has a Master of Arts in missional leadership from Northwest University. He is the Executive Director/CEO of Peacemaker Ministries. An ordained minister for the past 20+ years (3 years as a Youth Pastor, 14 years as a Senior Pastor, and 4 years as an Executive Pastor), he proclaims hope through the gospel message as the Holy Spirit empowers believers in their daily walk. He believes in the power of the Word of God to transform lives. He has been a Certified Christian Conciliator since 2008, with 1000+ hours of conflict coaching and mediation experience. His caseload has ranged from husband and wife cases, to family farm, to public schools, and even county government. Brian has taught peacemaking in local jails and even internationally in Uganda. His hope is that every Christian reconciles their differences in a way that glorifies God. His hope is that every Christian recognizes they are a Peacemaker before they try to do peacemaking. Finally, his hope is that every Christian reconciles by making authentic peace that blends justice, mercy, and humility. ### Related posts ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) March 29, 2021 ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Boast in God](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752698859.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Boast in God](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-boast-in-god) by [P. 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Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) October 28, 2019 ![Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: God Replenishes](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202019-10-04%20at%2012.59.43%20PM.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotional: God Replenishes](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotional-god-replenishes) by [P. Brian Noble](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/author/p-brian-noble) October 22, 2019 ### Social Networks - - - - ### Newsletter Subscribe for New Blog Posts And Images.up to date form your inbox! ### Popular Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/IMG_0659.png) [My Pastor is Rude](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/my-pastor-is-rude) December 16, 2018 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1590774962450.png) [Prepare your Mind For Action](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/prepare-your-mind-for-action) June 5, 2020 ### Categories - [devotion (60)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/devotion) - [Peacemaker Wisdom (22)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/peacemaker-wisdom) - [The Path of a Peacemaker (16)](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/tag/the-path-of-a-peacemaker) ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) March 29, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) March 22, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752733844.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Own Gift](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-own-gift) March 15, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752698859.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Boast in God](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-boast-in-god) March 8, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752671036.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: A Logs Worth of Specks](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-a-logs-worth-of-specks) March 1, 2021 ![pm-logo-blog](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hs-fs/hubfs/pm-logo-blog.jpg?width=250&name=pm-logo-blog.jpg "pm-logo-blog") Peacemaker Ministries exists is to equip and assist Christians and their churches to respond to conflict biblically in their families, marriages, workplaces, and communities. ### Paths - [Family](https://pm.training/family/) - [Churches](https://pm.training/churches/) - [Workplaces](https://pm.training/workplace-choice/) - [Coaching](https://pm.training/coaching/) - ### Subscribe to Everyday Peacemaker Blog updates and we'll let you know when new posts are available! ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752812404.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Cultivate It](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-cultivate-it) 29 March, 2021 ![feature image](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/hubfs/wordswag_1610752770948.png) [Peacemaker Ministries Devotion: Have Not Love](https://blog.peacemakerministries.org/peacemaker-ministries-devotion-have-not-love) 22 March, 2021 © Copyright 2017 | All Rights Reserved