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- Oct 26, 2007
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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. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NKJV
In 2016 Eddie Hall dead lifted 1,100 pounds at Europe’s Strongest Man competition. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt se the world record in the 100-meter print at 9.58 seconds in 2009. Jan Zelezny, the Czech javelin thrower, holds the record for the five best throws ever, the top of which was set in 1996 at 98.48 meters.
Physical feats of strength like these require a lifetime of exercise and training. And while the Bible does praise physical fitness (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), it is of comparably lesser importance than someone’s spiritual fitness.
While they live, these athletes can lift more, run faster, and throw farther than anyone else in the world, but when they die, their strength no longer benefits them.
Compare that with spiritual exercise—loving your neighbor, giving to the poor, defending the powerless, spreading the Gospel. Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
When you train in godliness, the benefits start now and last beyond death as you show people the way to have life everlasting.
Prayer: Lord, help me work out my spiritual muscles.
In 2016 Eddie Hall dead lifted 1,100 pounds at Europe’s Strongest Man competition. Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt se the world record in the 100-meter print at 9.58 seconds in 2009. Jan Zelezny, the Czech javelin thrower, holds the record for the five best throws ever, the top of which was set in 1996 at 98.48 meters.
Physical feats of strength like these require a lifetime of exercise and training. And while the Bible does praise physical fitness (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20), it is of comparably lesser importance than someone’s spiritual fitness.
While they live, these athletes can lift more, run faster, and throw farther than anyone else in the world, but when they die, their strength no longer benefits them.
Compare that with spiritual exercise—loving your neighbor, giving to the poor, defending the powerless, spreading the Gospel. Paul says in 1 Timothy 4:8, “Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”
When you train in godliness, the benefits start now and last beyond death as you show people the way to have life everlasting.
Prayer: Lord, help me work out my spiritual muscles.
