Godliness doesn’t just happen to you …

The best Personal Trainers I have observed as a Personal Trainer myself are those who train their clients to train themselves.

I say that because, at some point, the work of training a client comes to an end. If at that time the client hasn’t learned how to continue with their training on their own, their fitness (and perhaps even their health) will very quickly regress. The training needs to last a lifetime, although working with any specific trainer is usually for just a period of time.

While the client may continue their training by working out with friends or participating in classes or group training, at some point the client needs to have the knowledge and skills to maintain their fitness gains, as well as continue to pursue and achieve ongoing fitness goals for their seasons of life. Over time, a client may return for periods of training, or training for specific needs, sports, activities or events, but ultimately the client needs to be able to become a capable trainer for him/herself. That includes being able to push and motivate themselves to do what they need to do, instead of always having someone to push them through their goals.

As I have observed people trying to build their fitness and improve or regain their health, it has often reminded me of a greater training scripture calls us to. The Apostle Paul described it this way in 1 Timothy 4:7-9:

“Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ‘Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.’ This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it.”

We are all used to some kind of training. We’re trained to walk and to talk, to read and to write; we’re trained in school subjects and a variety of sports; and we’re trained for careers, as well as for hobbies and interests. Training is a common part of life.

But what are you doing to actually “train” yourself to be godly?

Just as walking into a gym doesn’t make you fit, walking into a church building or praying “the sinner’s prayer” doesn’t make you godly. It requires training.

Is godliness both a priority and a goal for you? Do you have a spiritual training regimen to train yourself in godliness? What are you doing to stay spiritually fit and grow in godliness?

Scotty