Key Verse: 1 Timothy 4:8!

 “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 

Back in February I started working out 3-5 per week. To my surprise I have actually really enjoyed it. It is nice to see myself getting stronger and in better shape. Here Paul reminds us that bodily exercise only profits us a little. The best type of exercise we could ever do is to exercise ourselves towards godliness. This means that day in and day out our goal should be Christlikeness. How do we exercise ourselves in godliness? We do this by abiding with Christ. To abide simply means to remain. We have to remain with Jesus each day. Jesus Himself spoke of this important truth in John 15. We can remain with Christ day by day through Bible reading, prayer, and by attending church. Paul gives us two ways that exercising ourself towards godliness profits us. The first way it profits us is that we begin to actually live a life worth living. We find a life of joy, peace, and contentment when we begin to be like Christ. The second way it profits us is it promises a future life in heaven. Paul is not saying that we can work our way to heaven, but rather if we have put our faith in Christ and then we become more like Him, we should be assured of our salvation. 

Friend, I hope that everyday you will make a commitment to exercising yourself towards Christlikeness. It is the only way to find satisfaction in this life. It’s much more difficult then physically working out, but it is totally worth it!