Page 24 - September 2023 - Truth & Tidings

id you know that God has called ing healthy spiritual food, including the
you to be like an athlete? Paul teachings of chapters 1-3, Timothy could
Dparallels athletics with the be- train unto godliness. He warns him to
liever’s life and describes a principled life reject “irrelevant, silly” stories; these
for Christ in several epistles. Even Paul’s are poor nutrition for training in godli-
ancient readers were familiar with sports, ness (v7 ESV). Paul reminds Timothy in
so from them he drew lessons for the verse 8 that training in godliness is more
Christian. In this article, we will examine important than physical training. Bodily
five features of athletics and how to apply exercise has only temporary benefits, but
these disciplines to our lives. training in godliness is profitable now and
1 Timothy 4 – Training in Godliness for eternity.
An athlete’s ability to effectively train Philippians 3 – The Mind Set on the Goal
is crucial to their performance. Our goal Every runner knows to keep looking
is to train in godliness. Godliness is to forward, not back. Behind Paul was “con-
think and act with God’s interests in mind fidence in the flesh” (v4), but ahead was
by living out His Word. At the end of Christ as the prize he sought to gain at
chapter 3, Paul states that true godliness any expense (v8). Confidence in the flesh
was revealed to us in the person of Christ will never produce a life like Christ’s. Paul
(“the mystery of godliness,” v16). God recognizes he must know three things to
1
also expects that, in the absence of Christ, gain Christ and conform his life to Him.
the local assembly will exhibit godli- First, knowing the glorified Christ spurs
ness as “the pillar and ground of truth,” him onward. Next, “the power of his
demonstrating the mind of God through resurrection” overcomes any hindrance
unequivocal obedience to the Word of opposing him in his pursuit. Lastly, “the
God (v15). Local assemblies must display fellowship of his sufferings” is under-
godliness in their pattern. Individuals who standing that what he endures from men
compose them must also depict godliness is the same rejection the Lord experienced.
in their practices and prioritize “exercise Paul desired to lay hold of Christ, even as
… unto godliness” (4:7). Christ laid hold of him, regardless of the
A key component of training is nutri- cost (v13). He pushed on like a focused
tion. Paul writes to Timothy in Ephesus, runner, eyeing the prize of Christ and
imagining him observing men on strict perfection (v14). Christ is the prize on
diets going to the gymnasium to train which we must keep our eyes throughout
their bodies. Like the trainees consuming our Christian race.
only good food, Timothy was to focus on 1 Corinthians 9 – Running Within the
being “nourished up in the words of faith Rules
and of good doctrine” (v6). By consum- Each game has its rules. Not abiding
¹ Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV by the regulations results in disqualifica-
unless otherwise noted. tion from the prize. Paul considers the

280 TRUTH kTidings September 2023