Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to ask you a little question.
How many of you exercise regularly? There seems to be a boom in exercise in recent days, along with the increased sales of fitness equipment. Exercise has been defined as bodily exertion for the purpose of developing and maintaining physical fitness, but it is also something that is performed or practiced in order to develop, prove, or display a specific capability or skill. To exercise is to apply, train and drill, in order to perfect something in your life. A pianist may improve their piano playing abilities by practicing scale exercises. A sniper may improve their shooting skills by practicing military exercises. Likewise, when people physically work out, they will train a certain group of muscles through repetition. They will do so many push-ups or sit-ups in their daily routine, but no matter how much people work out, the human body will eventually wear out someday.
This reminds me of the Christian Life.
There are going to be many people who are physically fit when they die, but will not make it into heaven, which makes us realize how important it is to train Spiritually. Our time here on Earth is like a wisp of smoke in comparison to living forever, and this is why we need to use the time that we have remaining to train ourselves in perfect obedience towards the Lord Jesus. Sometimes people cannot get a job unless they are physically fit. Likewise in order to obtain eternal life, followers of Christ must prepare for the world that is coming by becoming Spiritually fit for God’s Kingdom.
1 Timothy 4 ⁷ …….exercise thyself rather unto godliness. ⁸ For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
To exercise Spiritually, we need to practice our faith. It needs to be a daily regimen of walking in the teachings of Christ. For example, think about a bodybuilder who is trying to tone their body. If it’s ever going to get trained, they are going to have to put some time into it. There are many different muscles in the human body, just as there are many different aspects of the Christian Life, each of which require regular attention in order to become fit. We must Spiritually train ourselves each day, to overcome the things of this world, and to become pleasing unto God.
“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1
“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” 1 Thessalonians 2:12
When you think about it, a bodybuilder is essentially going through a physical transformation. It begins by eating the right foods in order to lose weight, and we must do the same by being fed with a regular diet of God’s Holy Word. When we become obedient to what it says, we will begin to shed many pounds of unwanted sinfulness, becoming transformed from our own weaknesses, into powerful Saints of God.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
Each day we must become stronger in our faith, which happens through a complete dedication and devotion to the will of God. This is Spiritual strength-training, as we become stronger through our obedience.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power,…….2 Timothy 1:7
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10
The Apostle Paul was constantly involved in Spiritual exercises
“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.” Acts 24:16
Weightlifters will keep practicing over and over until they can finally bench press a certain amount of weight, but it takes perseverance and a good routine to get to that point. It’s a process of perfecting your muscles until they can finally complete the task at hand. In order to obtain eternal life, we must perfect ourselves by completely retraining our minds. We must change from a sinner into a saint but in order for this to happen, we need to hit the gym regularly. We must embrace Spiritual discipline, mortify the sinful nature, and walk each day on the treadmill of God’s Word. When we endure this training, we can we be completely transformed into a man of God. Only then can we look back at the man we once were, to the man that we have become, through the mercies of Christ and the riches of His grace.
Ephesians 4 ²² That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; ²³ And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴ And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:10
Anybody who wants to get in shape physically will need to discipline themselves. Discipline is having the self control to do what you know needs to be done. Discipline is what gets you up in the morning. Discipline is what causes you to leave for work. Discipline is a huge part of the Christian Life, because we are training ourselves each day to walk in the will of God. Many people who exercise will keep a training manual, but our training manual is God’s Holy Word, and we must follow the training schedule and do whatever is required, to get us in shape Spiritually. It’s a process of perfecting holiness by complete submission to the will of God.
“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1
“Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,” Hebrews 6:1
1 John 2 ⁵ But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. ⁶ He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Many people are more concerned about their physical appearance rather than the Spiritual aspects of our own salvation. Rather than reaching out for scripture, they will reach out for a kettle ball instead. People can use their time to seek after all sorts of things, such as Earthly riches, a beautiful home, and even a toned physique, but these worldly desires are only a flash in the pan and a short lived fantasy in the flesh. We entered this world with nothing, and we will leave with nothing. Even the length of our days does not depend on one’s own physical fitness, because God will reap you whenever He sees fit. So you see, in this regard, bodily exercise profits little, because no matter how in shape you are, it cannot save you. People must focus on contrition, repentance and obedience to the will of God, because only then will you find a training program that leads to eternal life, inner strength, and perfect…..
……Spiritual Fitness
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious goups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose q you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.❤️
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