How do we train for Godliness?
We follow the One who was perfect at being Godly, Jesus. Have any of you ever had a personal trainer, a coach, or a teacher? What is the job of these three leaders? To spend quality time with you, teaching you what they already know, and helping you to become the person you desire to be. What if I said that Jesus was, and is still, The best personal trainer, coach, teacher to ever walk this earth? And He desires to spend quality time with you, training and teaching you to become the men and women that He created you to be. Would you agree? God’s desire for us is to continually spend time with Him, or what I like to call it, spiritual training. The Bible is full of God inviting people into a relationship with Him. When Jesus was recruiting His disciples, He would say “come, follow me”. This invitation still exists today. No matter where you’re at, whether you are a believer or not, God is constantly inviting us into a deeper relationship and understanding of who He is.
“Physical training is good, but training for Godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8 NLT
As an athlete we understand that when we work out and train we get stronger and faster. We can physically see the benefits of physical training for our bodies. What Paul is emphasizing is that the benefits of training for Godliness are so much greater. Training for Godliness impacts every area of our lives. Some bible translations say physical training is of “some” or “little” value, while training for Godliness “has value for all things”.
Think about that: EVERY AREA OF OUR LIVES!
Our heart, our body, our mind, our sport, our home, our school, our work, our kids, our eternity, even other people’s lives are impacted, this list is endless. I would like to encourage and challenge every person that puts time and effort into anything in life, whether work or play, to evaluate the benefits and hear the promise of God’s word in 1 Timothy 4:8.
The Bible seems to speak to athletes in many different verses:
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, The Champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
If you’ve competed in some sporting event you realize that there is typically always an audience. Some are big and some are small. Have you ever thought and realized that there is an audience of your life? There are people that watch us everywhere. Especially if you have children. I’ll never forget this quote I once heard:
“Kids are great imitators, so give them something great to imitate.”
Matthew 5:14 says that believers in Christ are called to be a light to this world, like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. In Hebrews 12:1-2 The author is telling us that in order to run well, (to be a Godly example to the crowds) that we need to remove what slows us down (the useless desires of the flesh and sin). And we do this by fixing our eyes on Jesus “The Champion.”
Have you ever thought of Jesus as a Champion?
Jesus has already won the biggest battle ever fought?
He defeated Sin and death when he was crucified and rose from that grave on the third day.
He won the greatest Victory ever and He gives us the prize.
Salvation.
