TRAIN IN GODLINESS

TRAIN IN GODLINESS

1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Paul is talking in this letter to Timothy and saying to be a good minister of Jesus Christ and have nothing to do with ‘old wives’ fables (superstitions that are passed down) but to train yourself in godliness. I spoke with a Catholic guy yesterday who was into all the traditions that had been passed down in his family. We’re told bodily exercise is good for this life. We see a few physical references from Paul such as, 1 Corinthians 9:26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus, I fight: not as one who beats the air. Physical health has many benefits and we’re in a day where people are way more aware of physical health.

I like to train to stay fit and I walk most days where I am using that time to pray. When I am training in a gym, I am listening to a sermon or the Bible. Sometimes, I get opportunities to share the gospel in the gym. For some people they might struggle with vanity or lust and maybe they need to steer clear of places of temptation. I do like to train hard but I want to make sure I am training in godliness. What’s the point of being fit but not fit for the kingdom of God. It’s beneficial for the afterlife as well as now. How can we do that? By praying continually, reading and studying His Word, sharing the gospel. Perhaps in the small trials we can rejoice and so when the bigger trials come we will be in good practice of rejoicing to do well in these. Our Christian walk is like a spiritual gym where we have weights that are challenges and trials which can crush us or we can allow them to be the weight that makes us stronger. Not in our strength but as we stand in His might. His strength is perfect in our weakness. We can all exercise which is fine but make sure we train in godliness which isn’t for our body but ultimately for the body of Christ.