After a few weeks of indulging our sweet tooth amidst Christmas and New Year celebrations, many of us are feeling the need to “get fit.”
But as we enter 2025, there is a form of fitness to pursue that’s of greater importance than what physical exercise can produce.
Paul’s instruction to Timothy to “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7b) is sound advice for every Christ follower. “Discipline” is training as opposed to trying. I can try to run a half marathon, and I will fail. But if I train myself through regular workouts, I’m highly likely to succeed.
Paul is not advocating spiritual discipline as a means of becoming right with God. He has already stated, “we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law.” (Romans 3:28)
Paul urges Timothy and every follower of Christ to get spiritually fit by disciplining ourselves in those activities that produce godliness. Two important steps guide us.
First of all, Paul makes clear the reason for pursuing spiritual fitness. “Bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:8)
While physical training can give us a better quality of life and possibly extend our time on planet earth, it “profits little” because no amount of physical exercise improves relationships or insulates us from aging and dying.
Spiritual training “that promotes godliness” benefits those who are God’s children through faith in Jesus in this “present life” and “for the life to come” by enabling them to become more like their Savior in thought, word, and deed (Romans 12:1-2).
A life conformed to Christlikeness encourages everyone we encounter in this life, exposes others to the blessing of knowing Christ, excites unbelievers to repent and believe in Jesus, and energizes Christ followers to reflect Christ more consistently.
Secondly, spiritual fitness requires a diet and exercise regimen. Paul instructed Timothy to be “nourished on the words of faith and of sound doctrine.” (4:6) A steady intake of God’s word through reading, studying, memorizing, and listening to it preached is essential for godly living (Psalm 119:9).
Godliness means “proving yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves.” (James 1:22) We exercise our spiritual muscles by serving others, sharing God’s word, staying away from corrupting influences, and seeking God in prayer.
What is your diet and exercise plan to “get fit” spiritually in 2025? Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.