Spiritual Fitness

. . . train yourself to be godly. - 1 Timothy 4:7b

I find this short little phrase to be extremely profound and deeply convicting. This is a lesson that I must be reminded of often. Godliness doesn't just happen. I can not expect that just because I've been a Christian for a while that sin just will lose its power. Nor can I expect that just because I go to (or even work for a) church that my walk with Christ will grow.

We don't passively stumble into godliness.

Paul parallels our pursuit of godliness with physical training. So just as with physical training, godliness requires effort and work. To grow stronger we must practice discipline and be consistent. When we get lazy and neglect our disciplines then we become spiritually unfit. If we want to enjoy a better relationship with Christ we must commit ourselves to the spiritual disciplines of prayer, studying, meditating on and memorization of Scripture, fasting, silence, a Sabbath, giving, etc.

Father, give me joy in exercising my spiritual muscles and show me more of yourself as I pursue a deeper relationship with you.

By His Grace,
Matt