Exercise...(some more thoughts from 1 Timothy)

 I think we have all seen those who some might affectionately call "crazy", particularly those who have this thing for physical fitness/sports. You know them: The ones who spend 3 hours in the gym a day, working on building the "perfect" body, or the ones who spend hours a day practicing for their sport, or those who spend an hour or two running. They are devoted to getting their exercise or their sport, to being the best they can be.

I am still reading through 1 Timothy, and just recently got to chapter 4, and thought I'd share some of my observations with you.

"⁸For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

 ⁹This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance ¹⁰(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe" 1 Timothy 4:8-10 (NIV)

Paul in this passage makes a contrast between physical training (which has some value) and training in godliness. While physical training has little real value, training in godliness has value for all things, holding promise for this life, and the life to come. This is a very clear contrast. People can go to great effort and spend much time on physical training which ultimately passes away. This body will eventually decay and die. Yet, this type of attitude should be adopted for spiritual training in godliness... what does this look like?

What would it look like if we approached spiritual training unto godliness, seeking to be godly like many of us approach exercise? What if we spent hours in reading His word, in prayer? What if we put into practice what is said in the Bible, and live it out? What if we train and discpline ourselves unto godliness? I am convinced that we would be a different type of people. We would be a church that is strong, that could stand. I think we can all agree that we need people who are spiritually fit to lead in the church. People who know the Word and can disciple others. People whose lives reflect Christ, who live in such a way that the world can't find fault with them. Instead, as a whole, the church is complacent and lazy; flabby, if you will, and not willing to flex those spiritual muscles. Many feel that since they have been saved, they can just sit back and take a break. They have a "get out of jail free" card. But it is clear in the Bible that we are to be different, that our lives are to change, that we live for Him, that we stand and be counted as men for Him.

We need people devoted to spiritual execise, to training in godliness. If people can spend so much time on physical training that has only a little value, why can't we make time for spiritual training? Now, this is not to say that we are on our own, and have to do all the work and that this is a "work based" salvation. No, not at all! It is only through God that we can effectively train and be equipped for His service. While God is our strength, that doesn't mean we do nothing. He expects us to work towards this. Paul himself say that he labors and strives through this. We are to labor and strive toward godliness, but not in our own strength. We have a great hope in Christ. We must look to Him.

So consider this a challenge to all of us (myself included) to get fit spiritually. In the midst of all this exercise craze, lets get one of our own: A focus on being godly, and being strong in the LORD!



For Christ's Glory!