7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 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. – 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Obese & Undernourished
Training (discipline) seems for most of us to be dead. I realize that there are a lot of different types of exercises and a plethora of training videos, but to me, they seem to be more of a fad than anything else. We make resolutions and buy the bright shoes and stylish clothes, but how quickly are these items relegated to the status of dust collectors, while the training videos are relegated to bookends (something has to support the books we don’t read). Think I’m exaggerating? Chew on this fact; perhaps for the first time in the history of civilization, we have a generation that is obese and undernourished. Instead of combatting this crisis with discipline, we too often resort to promoting loose fitting or dark colored clothes. But who are we deceiving? We need to change our lifestyles not our wardrobes. Are we facilitating laziness and apathy? This is a serious problem that comes with a hefty price tag (pun intended). But, how much more serious and costly is this laziness and apathy when it carries over into the spiritual disciplines?
Why do we avoid discipline?
It costs us something. We have to invest time. Often we have to do things we don’t enjoy and sacrifice things we do. But most appalling of all; we have to exert energy. If we are not careful, we might even break a sweat. And you thought sweatpants were a fashion statement! So why bother? Because the benefits are greater than the costs. This is true in both realms, but as Paul reminds us, infinitely more so in the spiritual where, “godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
I personally believe the greatest value in bodily training is that discipline is a lifestyle choice. Disciplining our bodies is crawling, whereas spiritual disciplines are walking/running. We have to see the benefit of running the race before we will commit to taking the first step of training. Paul’s audience understood this, therefore he encouraged them to transition their discipline from one realm to the other. He was not implying that they could not do both, but they had to recognize the relative importance of each. Bodily discipline is not the end all, but it can serve as a stepping stone. Besides, our bodies are the temple of the living God, bought at a price. Being a wise steward of them is only logical.
The Pursuit of Godliness
In his letter to Timothy, Paul equates discipline with the pursuit of godliness. When we pick up the classics on spiritual disciplines, we will be encouraged to do such things as pray, study the Bible, fast, meditate on the Word, etc. But in our text, Paul doesn’t delineate, he simply encourages his audience, and us by extension, to pursue godliness. I hope to do the same. My objective today is not to teach how to, but to promote what for. I guess you could say that my role today is more of a cheerleader than a trainer.
This world is not our eternal home. Our earthly bodies will be replaced by heavenly bodies. But, while we reside on planet earth, ours is the privilege and ability to be conformed to the image of Christ through the process of sanctification. By actively being engaged in the spiritual disciplines, we can facilitate the process of dying to self and becoming more godly. But it won’t happen if we don’t see the value in the “prize”. Listen to the motivation of Paul.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. – Philippians 3:12-15
Good Intentions
I don’t want to make an idol of spiritual disciplines, they are not the end, but a means. As I have already stated, our goal is Christlikeness. Our ultimate objective is being, not doing. However, the doing helps us to become. Our motive is much more important than our motions. But the Word of God encourages each. Good intentions are not so good if they never become action. Again, listen to Paul, my fellow cheerleader.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
Reflections
James, the brother of Jesus, in the first chapter of his letter, refers to the man who looks intently into a mirror and then walks away, forgetting the image he just saw. He likens him to a person who hears the Word, but does not do it. Don’t be a hearer only. My challenge is for you to take a personal inventory. Look into your spiritual mirror. Are you content with the reflection looking back at you?
Now reflect on the truths you know about Christ. Look at the image the “writers” of the Bible painted of Him with their divinely inspired “pens”. Meditate on the condescension of Christ reflected in the His incarnation. Dwell on the love of Christ as He ministered to the lost, regardless of race or social status. Our Savior was always obedient to the will of the Father no matter the cost. He was always passionate about the Kingdom of God. He was always concerned about the needs of others. Think of His humility as Paul so eloquently worded it in Philippians chapter 2.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Reward
Can you think of anything more important than becoming Christlike? Is it a prize you are willing to discipline yourself for? Don’t worry about sweating a little. It’s a small price for the prize. Certainly trivial compared to what He did for you.
41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. – Luke 22:41-44