You heard someone say, “I’m out of shape.” They refer to the fact that their physical bodies aren’t up to par. Maybe their clothes are not fitting right, or they are tired, but the underlying reason is usually that they need more exercise. Their muscles aren’t accustomed to what they are asking them to do. They need to start a program of consistent, regular exercise.
While physical fitness is important, it is absolutely necessary to stay in shape spiritually. It’s rare to hear people talk about being spiritually out of shape. But the issue is real. And thank God, it can be corrected.
How? That is what the Scriptures are all about, getting us spiritually “in shape”—heart, lungs, muscles—so that we can run the race for eternal life, so that we can make a solid stand against evil.
Where shall we go for this instruction, this advice? The apostle Paul comes to mind immediately, as he was advising his son-in-the-faith Timothy.
One quick cue: no one can do it for you. You have to do it for yourself! After giving Timothy several warnings, Paul told him,
1 Tim. 4:6–11 6If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
Lots of need for carefulness, Timothy, in following those words of faith. Don’t expect it to be easy.
7But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness.
Here is the need for exercise of the right kind. Something to reject, something to apply. “Exercise yourself toward godliness.”
Exercise yourself “toward godliness.” Are you thinking that should be pretty easy? Godliness isn’t natural to us mortals. It means limiting our wants and wishes to what God will approve. It means going in ONE direction—only ONE: toward the Kingdom. It means godly thinking, godly actions, godly behavior all day, every day. Talk about exercise and getting in shape? This means work.
Paul makes the logical comparison. Yes, Timothy, you need physical exercise, because:
8… bodily exercise profits a little [for a little while], but godliness is profitable for all things [both present and future].
Exercising to godliness gives promise. Verse 8:
8… having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
There’s a double benefit here. Having the promise of this life is tremendous. What other career could we choose that would include any promise of life now? Sickness or disease or accident can quickly claim any life. The “promise of this life” overrides possibility. But that is only part of it. The REAL benefit is future, giving promise of the life “which is to come.”
Then Paul adds emphasis to what he has just said. Verse 9
9This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
How is God the “Savior of all men”? The thought is that God is the preserver of all. Didn’t Jesus say He makes the sun to shine on the evil and on the good? But the blessings are “especially”—particularly, chiefly—of those who believe.
11These things command and teach.
Then Paul continues his advice to Timothy—and us.
12Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
Was Timothy young and easily “put down” by inconsiderate elders? Paul says, make them look up to you for your godly life.
Paul covered the WHOLE of life:
- Whatever we say: “in word”
- Whatever we do: “in conduct”
- Our affection: “in love”
- Our attitude: “in spirit”
- What we believe or trust: “in faith”
- A clean mind: “in purity”
13Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
Timothy, keep your people on track with vital, life-changing devotions. And Paul didn’t leave it to guess. He was specific.
By “reading” he referred to public, corporate reading of Scripture.
By “exhortation” he stressed application. Apply the Word, Timothy, to life. Show how it fits the everyday situations your people face.
And what about “doctrine”? It is vital to keep going over what you believe. It is so easy to forget the precious truths we hold, and false teaching is everywhere!
14Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership.
Timothy had something here that we don’t have: the power of the Holy Spirit. This gift placed an ever present obligation on those people, to be loyal and true to the faith.
Paul says, Don’t take these spiritual things lightly or casually. Keep them on your mind ALL the time. It is your duty to your people and to yourself.
15Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.
“Give yourself entirely” to these things. It is a TOTAL, all inclusive commitment. Nothing left out. Progress evident? As leader of the church, it was critical that Timothy set the right example.
Then Paul continues: Verse 16,
16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Could there be a better way to spiritually “stay in shape”? Could there be a better way to “exercise to godliness”?
There’s a whole lot of exercise here to strengthen those core muscles.
“Take heed” means “hold on, hold forth, hold up; check; observe (Thayer’s Lexicon). It means serious action.
What must he (and we) take heed to? Both “to yourself and to the doctrine.” What we ARE and what we hold onto.
Then we must “continue in them.” There is no release in this task, no time off, no time to relax.
Let’s repeat that last verse together. 1 Timothy 4:16:
16Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
CONTINUE! Keep doing it, and you’ll stay in shape. And the end will be salvation –first for ourselves, then for others.