May the mumbling commence!
Athletes submit their bodies and minds to intense training. They form their bodies to perform and endure the rigors of their sports. They form their minds so that thinking will be unnecessary during the contests they compete in. The training comes down to muscle memory and recognition so that seconds and hundredths of seconds can be shaved from response times.
As Christians, we submit ourselves to intense training that includes not only body and mind but also spirit. And we do not train for a temporary reward. Our reward is eternal. And it is a reward that becomes greater and greater as we share it, because the goal is not self glorification but glorification of God. Read about this training from First Timothy chapter four:
The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 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. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Command and teach these things. Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
When we devote ourselves to God, we must carry an assumption of the goodness of all creation. God created the universe and called it good – very good. So we must reject godless myths and old wives’ tales that try to prove the inherent evil nature of what God has created.
To follow such thoughts only lead to division and division is just what Satan would love to see us do. Our God is a God of multiplication, but Satan constantly tries to convince us that God is a God of division. Let us reject this lie.
Instead, let us train ourselves to be godly. Physical prowess has some rewards, but godliness has value for all things – both now and into the future. And, in godliness, we put our hope in the living God – for, in this, God is our only hope. Paul calls this a trustworthy saying, so we should pay attention.
Let us command and teach these things. Along with muscle memory and recognition, Christians add spiritual memory. How do we hone our spiritual memory? And, make no bones about it, remembering is crucial. Here is the list of spiritual exercises that Paul lists for Timothy: public Scripture reading, preaching, and teaching.
To these general exercises, Paul adds some more person specific exercises. Share the gifts that God has given you through the Holy Spirit. Be diligent. Hold nothing back. Watch your doctrine and your life closely. Persevere and you will save both yourself and your hearers. Let us join hands and train together for godliness.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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