1 Timothy 4.7-8
“Train yourself for godliness. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds the promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”
Yesterday we talked about Elijah training to become a man of God. The Lord sent him east of the Jordan for protection and preparation, and for 3 1/2 years Elijah developed, learned, and grew into a true man of God.
Like Elijah, we must go “east of the Jordan” to train, develop, and learn. We must abide in Christ and train in godliness.
I say it often, and I will say it again: Spiritual maturity doesn’t just happen; it is the result of trusting God and committing to an intentional process of discipleship and learning. This is the focused process of musar we saw throughout the book of Proverbs. Indeed, musar = discipleship.
Every Christian — and every church fellowship — should be deeply committed to discipleship. Every Christian should be fully engaged in the process of disciplined training. Spiritual growth isn’t magic. It doesn’t automatically happen when we are saved.
Read carefully the following verses:
- “Keep hold of instruction (musar); do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.” (Proverbs 4.13)
- “He who neglects discipline (musar) despises himself, but he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.” (Proverbs 15.32)
- “Whoever heeds instruction (musar) is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof wanders aimlessly and leads others astray.” (Proverbs 10.17)
The New Testament echoes the same message and calls us to disciplined training.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9.24-27)
The word translated “exercise” is the Greek word agonizomai, from which we get the English word agonize. In some translations it is rendered “strive.” The point is that the process of spiritual growth follows the same principles as physical development. Just as the athlete must strive/exercise/train in order to build physical capabilities, so must the Christian strive/exercise/train in order to build spiritual capabilities.
However, there are people who have trusted in Christ and are saved, but who have not committed to the process of spiritual growth. As a result, they are not developing. They are not building the skills and disciplines that are necessary for an effective and high-impact Christian life. They are not equipped to deal with the realities and challenges of life in a fallen world.
Therefore, when confronted by those realities and challenges, they struggle.
Here is the bottom line: If you don’t train, you won’t grow. Elijah provides a great example of someone who grew to become a man of God. May we live in the spirit and power of Elijah and commit ourselves to the process of spiritual growth. May we stay on-path in our development and discipleship as the people of God.
Coram Deo
