5 Minute Read + Scripture readings
Today’s Bible Reading:
2 Kings 7
1 Timothy 4
Daniel 11
Psalms 119:25-48
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
1 Timothy 4:7–8 (CSB): “But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
While it seems that it would be an impossible task for contemporary English speaking people to learn the biblical Greek language, it’s a little easier than some suspect. One of the reasons for this is that we get many of our words from the Greek language.
In the verses that I’ve chosen for today, when it says that we are to train ourself for godliness, the word for “train” is the Greek word from which we get the word “gymnasium.” In fact, it even sounds a little bit like gymnasium.
This small fact informs our understanding of what it takes to develop godliness in our thinking and behavior. It takes going to the spiritual gym. It means that we regularly “work out” by spending time in God‘s Word and in prayer, as well as other spiritual disciplines.
So, what’s the benefit? Someone who wants to be motivated to continue going to the gym needs to realize that there are benefits to what he or she is doing. So what are the benefits of going to the spiritual gym?
1 Timothy 4:7–8 (CSB): “But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Simply put, doing the hard work of developing godliness will benefit us in this life and in the life to come. It will benefit us in this life by helping us to live in a way that is most prone to human flourishing. It will help us in the life to come by enabling us to live in such a way that we will hear Jesus tell us, “Well done!”
However, it is so unfortunate that the contemporary gospel, a false gospel, says that someone need only say a prayer and they’re saved. There’s no further expectation of them. That “faith” need not demonstrate itself in changed thinking and behavior.
That is the farthest thing from the truth! Just read the Gospels. Jesus made it clear, over and over, that following Him and experientially knowing Him is what it means to be saved. Becoming more like Him, becoming godly, is what will demonstrate that we have truly been saved.
So take your spiritual journey seriously, friend. Join Jesus in spending time in the spiritual gym. Pursue Him and godliness. You’ll be glad you did!
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Lord Jesus, I want to live in a way that’s worthy of what You have done for me. I realize that doing so requires that I exercise myself to develop spiritual muscle. Please help me on this spiritual fitness journey. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 