Dedicated Spiritual Training

There are athletes who have run in more than one marathon in less than two months. That level of fitness requires relentless, dedicated training. Similarly, spiritual fitness, also takes much more than a relaxed approach to live a God-honoring life. In a culture marked by false teaching, along with extreme forms of self-indulgence and self-denial,

Paul wrote:

“Exercise [train] 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).

Our bodies and minds are to be dedicated to God and prepared for His service (Romans 12:1-2). The goal is not spiritual muscle-flexing but godliness — a life that is pleasing to the Lord. A zealous study of the Word (2 Timothy 2:15; cf. Psalm 1:1-2), focused prayer (cf. Luke 22:41-44; Hebrews 5:7), and bodily discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27 are all part of the process.

Beloved, how well we spiritually train, will greatly determine how well we successfully run our spiritual race (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:7).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets