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Some of these devices are very good; but the truth of the matter is that there is no getting fit without effort. Those before and after pictures are bridged by determination, discipline, sweat, and effort; sounds too much like work, doesn’t it? This may explain why people opt for the weight reduction wonders, and they lose the weight. Looks without fitness is a dangerous objective. They just “look” in shape. Diet and exercise are fundamental in taking care of ourselves; this simple formula has been proven to be a safer, effective, and healthier way; but it takes work, takes too long, and takes will power to advance the basics, right? I get that, boy do I get that! Some with special needs should see their doctor, but those are the basics we try so hard to circumvent or ignore altogether for quicker and easier results.
When Paul wrote to Timothy he talked briefly about the value of physical and spiritual exercise. The Greek word translated “exercise” in our passage today is where we get our English word gymnasium (Gk, gumnazia, G1129, gymnasia), found only here in the NT. Gumnazia comes from the verb, gumnazo (G1128) translated “exercise” in verse 7 – “exercise yourself toward godliness.” The verb form is in the present active imperative meaning we are commanded to continue to exercise or keep on exercising. In other words it is a daily thing which makes it a lifestyle. We need to keep at it.
Though Paul did not disparage physical fitness, he placed a greater emphasis on spiritual exercise. “A little” means Paul recognized its benefit, but primarily he is comparing the benefits between physical and spiritual exercise. Physical fitness is limited to this side of eternity, but spiritual fitness (godliness) is not only beneficial in the here and now (“having promise of the life that now is”) but in eternity as well (“and of that which is to come”). The value of the former is limited in scope and short in duration, and the value of the latter is unlimited in nature and never ending in duration.
Let me quote verse 9 which is generally accepted as referring back to verse 8 in this matter of godliness from the NKJV, ESV, and The Message. In fact v8 includes one of three “This is a faithful (trustworthy) saying” statements in this epistle (cf. 1 Tim 1:15; 3:1) and in two other letters (2 Tim 2:11; Titus 3:8),
“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance” (1 Tim 4:8, NKJV).
“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance” (1 Tim 4:8, ESV).
“Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart” (1 Tim 4:8-9, The Message).
One of the benefits of exercising is to condition our body so that it will avert unnecessary bodily injuries from reaching, bending, twisting, and picking up (if done properly). Remember those days of trying to be an athletic jock in a pickup game on the weekend of basketball, tag football, softball, soccer, or playing with the kids or grandkids in the backyard? You pulled a muscle, overexerted yourself, and discovered muscles you had long forgotten! Youth and invincibility had longed vanished.
By staying aerobically fit and doing resistant training on a regular basis we can avoid some of the aggravating minor injuries that plague us even if we don’t play sports, like carrying in grocery bags or picking up a laundry basket, moving furniture around for vacuuming, mopping floors, working in the yard, playing with the kids or grandkids, and so forth.
Well, the whole point of exercising godliness is to prevent an avoidable sin injury that hampers our spirituality, causing us so many problems, like broken fellowship with God and others. Bodily exercise is profitable this side of eternity because our body is the only way to get ourselves around! Should we carelessly mess up that bio-vehicle due to a lack of proper physical intake and sensible physical output, we are going to be more susceptible to injury, impacting our mobility and ability to serve the Lord. I like Warren Wiersbe’s recommendation, “If some Christians would put as much energy and enthusiasm into spiritual things as they do athletics and body-building, how much stronger they and their churches would be” (Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines)!
For many of us who suffer from being a sofa slug or couch potato, pumping iron is not an issue. Getting pumped up to get up off the sofa to exercise our bodies is the challenge. Nowadays, we are so busy going here or there, doing this or that; if we ever sat down to catch our breath, we would collapse. Have you ever just wanted to stop for a power moment and relax and go brain dead (one way of decompressing)? Who hasn't? If we continue to ignore our bodies all this stress will catch up to us sooner or later, and we will windup broken or worst, gone before our time. There is something seriously wrong with our lifestyle when we have to resort to energy drinks to make it through the day. We are inevitably heading for burnout or a crash.
What a mess we are if we are physically out of shape and spiritually unfit for the service of Christ. We need bodies that are a living sacrifice (Rom 12:1) and a mind that is renewed daily (Rom 12:2). How can we go into the world as a witness for Christ if we are too weak or unhealthy to get around? How can we have the mind of Christ and be godly if our thoughts are preoccupied with the things of the world (cf. 1 Jn 2:16)?
God expects for us to exercise to be spiritually and physically fit for His glory (Rom 12:1-2; 1 Cor 6:19-20). What a fitness combo, being healthy and holy! Holiness, however, is the more important objective here! We need to go to the gym on a regular basis and workout with our Bible and barbells. The love of God demonstrated on the cross is the biggest motivator to start now to live the abundant life, spiritually and physically: the whole man for the whole life, wholly for God. <><
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