Exercise!

Dear class,

Today's readings are taken from 1Samuel 30,31 and 1Timothy 4.

The readings in 1Samuel tell of the tragic end to the lives of king Saul and his three sons, as prophesied by Samuel's spirit (1Sa 28:19). A consequence of the repeated disobedience of Saul. We read with regret how a supposedly promising man ended up in such infamy and we can't help but think what great deeds he would have achieved given his credentials had he exercised more godly restraint.

Wherefore Paul exhorted young Timothy to focus his efforts to "exercise thyself rather on godliness".

It is interesting how Paul draws a comparison with bodily exercise! It seems that the Grecian culture promotes and exalts the human body and of it's endeavours. Wherefore we celebrate the Olympic spirit even to this day and get our modern concepts of gymnasium (the Greek word here for exercise, gumnazo is indeed where we get "gymnastics" and other related terms) and exercise.

Personally, I find bodily exercise a challenge! Trying to motivate oneself to jog once a week is already a gargantuan endeavour! But jokes aside, the analogy here is the effort involved and what we hope to get out of it.

Paul is not trying to negate the benefits of bodily exercise. Obviously, staying healthy and fit should be of concern to any Christian who takes a serious view of our bodies being the temple of God (c.f. 1Co 3:16; 6:19, etc). It's the same reason why we do not engage in activities like smoking, drinking, drug abuse, etc. Paul also advised Timothy to take steps to alleviate his "often infirmities" (1Ti 5:23). (which btw is a telling evidence that even as we pray to God for helping us recover from our illnesses, we should still take steps available in whatever time frame we are in to help ourselves!)
Liken to Jesus' teaching on "hating" our family (c.f. Luk 14:26, etc), the crux here is on the contrast of relative importance.

In comparison to spiritual health, physical health takes a rather far back seat! Unfortunately, even as we take pains to feed and take care of our physical body, which is all good, far too often we neglect our spiritual selves.

Even as we draw a parallel to bodily exercise, we note 3 important aspects of a successful spiritual programme.

1) Nutrition
Speak to any elite athlete, especially of the physical sort (since Paul here is drawing parallel with bodily exercise), one would note the importance of maintaining a certain diet. Any conscientious weight-loss company would also similarly advocate a sound nutrition plan (which heh heh quite often is the key more than anything else!).
We NEED spiritual food! Right from when we are babes, as Peter tells us in 1Pe 2:2, the pure milk right up to solid food (c.f. Heb 5:14). Paul exhorted Timothy earlier in the same chapter to be "nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine" (1Ti 4:6). Be careful not to eat just any junk food, but sound nutrition! First and foremost is the bible. The other stuff (yes, my emails inclusive!) are mere guides and must always be checked against the Word (c.f. Act 17:11; 1Jo 4:1, etc). When we need to, it is always good to begin with materials produced by sound brethren. Even with bible dictionaries/encyclopaedias, one needs to exercise caution to possible denominational bias.
Junk in, junk out. There's just no 2 ways about that.

2) Exercise programme
We often read of how elite athletes would switch coaches to fine tune their training programme. Personality compatibility aside, athletes recognise the vital need to be trained properly. Thanks be to God, we have the perfect coach in Christ, through His Word. The only issue is for us to JUST DO IT! Always love the Nike tagline. And interestingly, "Nike" is one of the forms of the Greek word for "victory" (c.f. 1Jhn 5:4). Yes! To be victorious in Christ requires action. We can't just sit around and do nothing.
The bible is full of details. In this chapter alone, Timothy was exhorted to "refuse profane and old wives' fables". (v.7) Hearsay, gossip, legends and traditions trying to pass off as doctrine. Be an example of the believers "in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." (v.12) Meditate, pray/think about such things. Give ourselves "wholly to them" (v.15). The idea that it's no longer something we have to plan to do, but it's our very lifestyle! And it has to be consistent for us to see results. Not a haphazard, do-as-I-see-fit-or-have-time attitude.
And of course, it sure helps to have a training partner. That's what brethren are for! Talk to one another. Encourage one another. Help one another. Why restrict ourselves to just Wed and Sun? In any case, often times even these 2 days are rush in rush out. God has given us the "peer support group" in the church. Make use of it!

3) Ultimate reward
Every athlete aspires some form of achievement and recognition. From the olive wreath in ancient Greece to the million dollars promised to Singaporean athletes getting an Olympic gold. What do we have at the end of our endeavour? Nothing short of salvation and life eternal! (c.f. v.16)
But note in v.8, God's promises and blessings apply in our present life too! Even as we look forward to the final reward in heaven, God does not leave His children wanting and without current hope.
Yet again, let us not forget that our striving today is not for a corruptible prize but an incorruptible crown of life and righteousness (1Co 9:25; 2Ti 4:8; Jam 1:12).
And you know what, there's no 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. All who will cross the finish line gets the reward! What more can we ask?

Brethren, let us stop procrastinating! Gird up our loins and start today! Eat well, exercise well and rest well in the promise of eternal glory with God.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul


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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ~ 1Timothy 2:4