The Risen ChristSample

In Training

Train yourself for godliness. (1 Timothy 4:7)

Kids like to imitate superstar athletes, the way they dress, how they talk, the moves they make on the court or the field. That’s why the superstars get paid so much for endorsing shoes.

But that’s really missing the point. What kids should imitate, if they want to compete well at their level, is the discipline of elite athletes. It’s their commitment to training for strength and skill development that ought to be copied. We stand in awe of the grace and power of a Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods. But what we don’t see is the years of hard work—endlessly repeated drills, countless shots, unrelenting sessions of tough conditioning. We don’t see the discipline, the drive, the determination to be the very best.

That’s exactly the approach Paul tells us to take to our spiritual lives. The spiritual disciplines are neither complicated nor glamorous: fasting and prayer, Bible study, and worship; plus, giving, service, and obedience. Yet these are the exercises we must continually practice, day in and day out, until we achieve the goal of spiritual fitness—of a godly life.

And here’s why, says the apostle. All our physical training can only postpone the inevitable: the decline of our strength and death of our bodies. But godliness is good for us not just in this life, but in the next as well. Spiritual training has benefits that are literally out of this world. Like diet and exercise, the spiritual disciplines ought to be our daily practice. Lent is a good time to begin if you haven’t already.

PRAYER: Lord, help me to train for godliness.