We've all heard it…"Cleanliness is next to godliness." It sounds biblical. It isn't - the line comes from a 1600s proverb collection and a John Wesley sermon, not from Scripture.
The verse we’re looking at asks for more, Train yourself for godliness,1 Timothy 4:7. Paul uses a word from the gym, “Train”. Owning a membership isn't the same as being in shape, and Paul says the same is true of our faith. The building doesn't train us. We train ourselves.
It starts with cutting what makes reverence harder, then builds habits - a time to study, a time to pray, a place in the church - and continues with watching ourself closely, because it’s possible to train hard in the wrong direction. v. 16. Our goal is to train in the right direction - to train ourselves for godliness. None of it is glamorous, but neither is a Tuesday morning at the gym in February.
Paul assumes a disciple who trains will make progress. Not instantly, not perfectly - but progress. Look back and see anything - more patience, less panic, a quicker apology. That's godliness growing. We don't rise to the level of our intentions; we fall to the level of our training.
I invite you to come hear the rest of the story. This Sunday, Our Call to Be a Disciple series will continue with "Trained for the Trenches" from 1 Timothy 4. We’ll look at what the Bible says about training for godliness, and the promise it holds "for the present life and also for the life to come."
You are loved!
Pastor Mark
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