Godly Health
Throughout my life, I’ve encountered fanatics from many exercise trends. From Tae Bo to CrossFit, people swore they found the secret recipe to strength and health. In reality, they were all effective because they got people excited about getting up and doing something physical. While there may be some advantages of one over the other, they all fail to provide the benefits of one type of training.
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.
1 Timothy 4:7-9
There are a lot of good reasons to work out our bodies. It can not only make us more capable at the type of thing we’re doing, but also generally improves our immune systems, energy levels, and even our attitudes. However, godliness has benefits that affect us now and last, literally, forever!
The Regimen
If this spiritual fitness sounds good, we still need to know what that looks like. How are we to know how to train ourselves spiritually?
If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed…
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:6,11-16
The secrets to a healthy spiritual life are those matters of faith and doctrine which God revealed and recorded in scripture. Timothy appears to have been given the gift of teaching and is being encouraged to practice it. Notice how using his gift in service is a benefit not only to those whom he serves but to himself as well! Another thing we need to remember is that the body, working together, achieves things that are a blessing to everyone and not just to the body itself.
For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:16
Power of Godliness
The world hates godliness. They mistakenly call it self-righteousness and become irritated when confronted with it. It can be easy to slack off on exercising our spiritual life in public because of its offense. Isn’t it better just to avoid upsetting people? However, this is the only training plan that benefits even those who hate it!
A person who rages over seeing cyclists on the road isn’t likely to benefit from biking, but even those who do not believe benefit when Christ’s people live godly lives in public. It’s not only our own problem when we don’t practice godliness. Our unrighteousness is a harm to everyone!
The sorry state we’re in isn’t even just a matter of spiritual slothfulness. In many cases, the church has sought to restrain the practice of godliness because of the complaints of those who are perishing. We shouldn’t worry about people teaching the truth even when it upsets. We shouldn’t warn people against being a “goody two-shoes” or encourage them to do more things like the world to fit in.
On the contrary, if we had a church living unashamedly for Christ, seeking to see Christ brought into every aspect of life, we would overwhelm the objections with the blessings of godly living.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
