Training for Godliness

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV)

There is an very interesting parallel that is drawn here between growing in godliness and physical training, and the implication of this is that godliness is something that can be worked on, matured and strengthened.

But first we need to make a clear distinction between godliness and righteousness. Righteousness is the free gift that God gives us for salvation – in which we have no right to boast. Godliness however is the outworking of our faith, the fruit of how we live our lives and respond to the world.

Training

Training is not theoretical in nature, it is innately practical. Physical fitness comes not to from understanding what training you need to do, but rather in the act of doing it.

In the same way, we are not to just read Gods word and understand it, but to act out, and behave and operate in what we read, hear and understand.

What kind of training are we to do ?

The verse 7 starts talking about not getting sucked into irreverent and silly myths, which is talking about concepts – or constructs of the mind. Remember the context of this is a letter directed to the leaders of this church warning them about questionable doctrine that will come and they should not to be sucked into them.

We need to be training our mind.

We need to train ourselves in doctrine and principles, so that when our mind is challenged, and the situations around us make it look like our race will never end, we must have the stamina to push through the next “hill of understanding” or past the “lack of evidence”…. and then continue to race until we have the victory – because we have trained ourselves in what the truth is, and know how to push past the lies.

Again training is not about reading the word or memorising it , or talking about doctrine. It is choosing to make choices based on it – taking up opportunities and rejecting others based on how they measure up to the word we have read.

Does that means I am suggesting that you don’t do those things ?

Of course not! What kind of athlete would start training without consulting the experts to find the best techniques, or the correct foods, or planning the training to peak at the right time. But when the athlete is doing these things they are only just getting ready for their training… until they start to use the techniques, eat the right foods, do the planned exercises, only then are they training.

The promise

The beauty of this scripture is that it comes with a promise, that it will add value in both our life now and after.

I can see the promise for our life now, as we make more and more the the correct decision opening up opportunity for God to bless us and allow us to bless others.

However I am curious about what value godliness offers us when we are in heaven ? I look forward to one day when I understand that.. but in the mean time I am just happy to know that it will.

Happy training!