For
physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
NIV
In today’s world there is a lot of focus on our
physical bodies. Everywhere you turn
there is a new way to eat, a new fad diet, or a popular workout routine. As the wise Solomon would say, “There is nothing new under the sun.”
(Ecc 1:9) When one “new” thing becomes
obsolete there is another “new” thing to take its place. It’s easy to get caught up in the obsession
with physical appearance. I am as guilty
as the next person, as I write this I know I’d like to lose about 20lbs. Coming back from a vacation where physical
discipline was not allowed anywhere close to the restaurants I was dining at,
has left me feeling pretty unhappy with my waistline.
As I’ve thought about the things I need to do to
lose that 20lbs, I couldn’t help but wonder how much more effective I would be
as a Christian if I focused on my spiritual health as much as my physical
state? Just as making the lifestyle changes
to eat a more well-balanced diet or to consistently exercise takes discipline,
my spiritual health requires the same. I
don’t know about you but I never hop out of bed and say,”Wow, I can’t wait to
work out!” Even though I know the benefits that will come from it, my natural
self does not want to do it. My natural self wants to sit around and eat
whatever I want and never gain a pound.
Just as I want to be undisciplined in my physical
state I often buy into the same falsehoods about my spiritual life. My flesh does not want to exercise the
discipline of prayer or reading the bible.
What I really want is to be able to do whatever I desire with my time
without reading or praying and somehow end up being a biblical scholar with no
chinks in the armor of my faith. Best
buds with Jesus even though I never take the time to talk to Him. That would be great wouldn’t it?
Unfortunately it doesn’t take a genius to know that
if you want results in anything in life you have to put effort into it to reap
the rewards. I do not advocate that
salvation comes from works; it comes by faith in Jesus which is a gift of
grace. (Rom 10:9) However, once that salvation experience has
taken place maturity and growth in Christ cannot happen when there is no
spiritual discipline involved. Consistently fellowshipping with other
believer’s, reading the bible, and praying are things that are often done with
joy by a Christian but there are always going to be those days when you flat
out don’t want to do it. On those days
if I want to obtain the benefits of a close walk with Jesus I have to press
past my fleshly feelings and do the hard thing.
I have no doubt that I will see the benefits of a stronger and more
healthy spiritual walk if I seek to be disciplined in the hard times when I
want to give up. The bible speaks many
times about part of a believer’s character should be self-control; it is one of
the fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians chapter five.
I’m challenging myself to be more consistent and
disciplined in my spiritual life, will you do the same? In the end our physical bodies will not
outlast our spirits, start feeding your spirit with the Word of God today.
