Exercise Yourself Toward Godliness

 The word "exercise" has a negative connotation for a lot of people. Often, we don't like the work that is involved with it. It could be a math exercise that we are dreading, or it could be a physical exercise that we don't want to do. We know that we would benefit from the exercise, but we don't want to put forth the effort needed to complete it. To be a good Christian we have to get over this feeling about exercise.

The reason is that we are commanded to exercise. We are commanded to exercise ourselves toward godliness. (I Timothy 4:7,8) Bodily exercise only helps us a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise for this life and the life that is to come. Sounds pretty important to me, what about you? I believe we need to obey this command, so we can live a victorious Christian life now and even have a better life in heaven.

Exercise is to repeat a series of tasks, so that we can become stronger in that area. When it comes to godliness, we have to be intentional about doing the things that God does over and over until they become a part of our nature. It is much like physical exercises, in that we have to do more and more and do them over and over. Then, they become easier and easier. They become automatic. This goes for not doing the wrong things and for doing the right things. Once we get it down, we do what God would do in the way He would do it.

That is profitable in all things because God's way is always the best way to do anything. He is all-wise and all-powerful, and He created everything, so He knows how everything is supposed to work Therefore, if we do it His way, we will do it the best that it can be done. It will help us succeed here in this life, and in heaven we will have profit, too. I am not sure, but I believe God will give the godly ones a special place of service in His kingdom. Therefore, our exercise of godliness will profit us forever.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read I Timothy 6 and II Timothy 1-2