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Training in Godliness

Many people take the beginning of a new year to focus on getting in better physical shape. There is certainly some value in that, which today's verses acknowledge. Pursuing self-discipline and self-control with our bodies is a good thing. Some people wrongly ignore the care of their bodies.

At the same time, there’s a temptation to idolize bodily training. We can put so much focus on looking a certain way or eating a certain way that we neglect what is infinitely more valuable.

While bodily training is of “some value,” our verses tell us that godliness is valuable in “every way.” It holds promise for this life and for the life to come. Ten billion years from now, your life is going to be affected by the training in godliness you do today.

So what about you? Are you pursuing godliness as if it’s infinitely valuable? Or do you put more effort into bodily training? Training for godliness involves many things, but it should be evident in the way we pray, the way we read God’s Word, and the way we practice other spiritual disciplines. If you’re not intentional about pursuing this kind of training, ask God to help you begin even now.

Prayer

God, we pray that you would help us not to ignore or idolize the care of our bodies. But more than anything, would you help us train for godliness like it’s infinitely valuable. Make us look more and more like Jesus through our time with you in the Word and in prayer. And may this kind of training affect the way we relate to others.

Make us disciple-makers who are sharing the gospel and teaching others to obey you. Help us to love, serve, and lay down our lives for others. We thank you that training in godliness holds promise for the present life and for the life to come. In Jesus’ name, Amen.