Spiritual Gym…Muscles of Faith

Spiritual Gym…Muscles of Faith (I Timothy 4:8)

I Timothy 4:8, For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Paul spoke to a sporting culture when he wrote that bodily exercise profited little. He didn’t say it is completely useless, but that it profits very little. It is a fact that bodily exercise is good for the body. Bodily exercise or physical training is good. But God, who made our bodies, said that caring for our soul should be our number one priority. What if we took as much care about what went into our hearts and minds as we did into our bodies? Instead of just counting carbs and calories, what if we carefully measured our entertainment choices, the friends we associate with, and the places we frequent? The word exercise relates to physical exercise. Physical exercise does in fact profit but it has its limits and is limited only to this life.

Our body is the temple of the Holy Ghost and we should take care of it. It is good to work out and be in physical shape, but if we waste our life trying to build the physical man to the neglect of our spiritual life, we have done a great disservice to ourselves. The point Paul is making is that building spiritual muscles is far greater than a physical body. Today’s world will tell you just the opposite. “Who’s got time for church? It’s better to spend your Sunday in your sports league or in the gym rather than gathering with believers at church.”

Godliness is profitable unto all things. Physical exercise will have limited benefits in this life. However, godliness is of benefit both in this life and on into eternity. Godliness has value in all that we do. The profit of spiritual exercise is unlimited. Exercising spiritually to grow and develop your relationship with Christ will benefit you both now and in eternity. It benefits more than the physical; it benefits that which is eternal, namely your soul. Physical exercise profits a little, for a little while, but godliness is profitable for all things and affects us for all eternity. Paul tells Timothy that godliness is profitable in this life and in the life to come. It has profit in all things at all times. We can be assured that when we live for Jesus that we are not wasting our time or our talents. If we would strive to exercise godliness, we will find it easier to resist temptation and be more like Christ.

No matter how carefully we maintain it, this body will one day grow old and die. Even the greatest athletes get achy knees, sore backs, and the effects of old age. But the spiritual life will live forever. Everything we do for the Kingdom will last forever. That’s why church, prayer, and Bible reading are not just options for the believer-they are a necessity. Because to exercise the body is good, but to work out the soul is critical. Just because a person joins a gym and becomes a member doesn’t mean they are going to lose weight and gain muscle, so, it is with godliness. If a person joins a church and is a member, they must exercise godliness if they are going to be Christlike.

Question to Consider:

• How often daily are you exercising in the Scripture?
• Have set a time and place where you spend time in the Scriptures?
• What is the single most difficult issue you are facing in life right now that keeps you from exercising godliness?

Point to Ponder:

• Cuddling or conforming to the world’s standards will not help you become Christlike.
• God is in the business of producing godliness in the lives of men and women (I Timothy 3:15-16).
• The more like Christ we are, the more power our witness and testimony will have in the world.

PRAYER: Lord, help me use my time to the maximum by strengthening my faith and exercising myself spiritually. Just as the athlete in training would faithfully and continually attend the gym giving their all during a workout to contend for a challenge. May I mirror that same commitment and devotion to godliness in my daily walk with You. As an athlete’s body gets stronger may my faith in You get stronger. In Jesus name, AMEN!

If this post in any way, has blessed you,
please share this website and its articles with others:
www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com