Over Trained?

“Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Tim 4:8

In the above passage Paul exhorts Timothy to train to be godly. In others words, imitate Christ, be devoted to Christ, follow Christ. In Timothy's ancient culture, just like today, staying physically fit was popular for some. Even the ancients had gyms.

Training to be godly is good. But I think that in our culture it presents a problem. We live in a very self focused culture. We have so many Christian resources. Books, study guides, radio, television, Internet, seminars, conferences, retreats, and other programs abound. We train to kick addictions, be better stewards, better parents, better spouses, and on and on. Even our worship can be very self centered. training in godliness becomes about "me."

The problem is, that much of our training in godliness is very self centered and self focused. That's really not godliness. Jesus was self sacrificing, not self centred. Many of us are like the boxer that is always in training, but never steps into the ring. We are over trained and over fed. We roll out of the worship service, give a spiritual burp, and go our own ways.

Training in godliness must not stop short by being so self focused. Jesus said to "GO" into all the world and make Christ followers. There are billions of people in the world that do not know Jesus as Lord and Savior. If we really believe in heaven and hell, we must do something!

Jesus gave us the Great Commission to Go, and the Great Commandment to LOVE. They go hand in hand.

What are you training for?