It’s Time to Exercise!

I Timothy 4:6 – 11, If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.  But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.  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.  This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance.  For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.  These things command and teach.

Hebrews 5:13 – 14, For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

The Apostle Paul described the Christian life, among other things, as that of an athlete, a soldier, and/or a farmer. Imagine going into an athletic competition, a battle zone, or a field for harvest without having done any preparation! This would be an absolute disaster as there would have been no training in the first two cases and no sewing of seed in the latter. Yet this is how so many of us treat the walk of discipleship to which we have been called in salvation.

We often hear people say, “I have tried to do what I know God wants me to do” or “I have tried to do what I know is right.” Understanding the above Scriptures lets us know the problem is in the word “tried.” Both Paul and the writer of Hebrews (we know that God authored it, but are uncertain of the earthly writer He used) have implemented the word “exercise(d)” in their letter. This reminds us that the Christian walk is not about trying, but about TRAINING!

How much time did you spend today (or this week) exercising yourself, “…toward godliness?” We so often fail and become discouraged, wondering why we don’t do better when we have failed to exercise the very disciplines that God has given us to put into practice. After all, the word disciple comes from the word discipline.

In Matthew 11:29 Jesus said,

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

We either surrender to the King of King’s will, or we fight it. The call to take up our cross daily means death to our selves and all of our desires that we may live for and desire only His glory. May we be challenged to do just that!