"Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come" (1 Tim. 4:7-8, ESV).
It turns out that there is a lot of things in this life that are not worthy of our time. Paul tells us that there are categories of knowledge that are not worthy of investigation (irreverent, silly myths). He also instructs that bodily training, while of some merit, has limited value. Bodily training does the body good in this life, making it healthier and thus last longer, but these bodies will turn to dust.
Godliness is the place in which we must spend most of our efforts. "Godliness," Paul states, "is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." I'm not suggesting (neither is Paul) that we should neglect physical exercise. There are spiritual reasons we should eat right and exercise (however, this post is focused on the training in godliness). Daily exercise may prolong one's life, but it only postpones judgment.
Godliness may also prolong one's life, and it prevents judgment. We enter into godliness when we place our faith in Christ. From that first moment of faith, we should begin to build our lives in such a way that we are growing in godliness.
Paul's point here is that people (even ministers) pursue the wrong things. They pursue knowledge for the sake of having knowledge, but they fail to discern whether it is true knowledge or not. They pursue physical fitness, because they are dissatisfied with their size. Yet, most of those same people are rarely disturbed by an atrophied spiritual state.
They look at pride in their life and shrug it off. They struggle with lust, and think "nobody knows." They hate their neighbor without cause, but at least they haven't killed him. They haven't "really" prayed in a long time, but they still rest easy. They are so caught up in the business of life that they don't even realize that their love for Jesus is diminishing day by day.
It should be that way for us Paul says. It is as if Paul said, "Nope. Not you, Timothy. You have to be different." He is saying it to us as well. Nope, not you. You can't let your spiritual life languish. Don't let it die. Your called to be different.
Godliness is the path we are to follow. When we imitate God, by trying to emulate his character, we are walking in godliness. If we focus on moral uprightness, humility, grace, and mercy; then we can say we are living a godly lifestyle. This is the kind of life to which we should devote ourselves.
All training that leads to godliness is worth the effort. It is worth the blood, sweat, and tears it will cost. Godliness comes with a promise for this life and the one to come. Will you reach out and take hold of that promise?
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Training. Show all posts
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Thinking About the Great Commission
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age'" (Matt. 28:18-20, ESV).
This passage is often referred to as the Great Commission, and it is the marching orders of the Church. The Church has been given a charge to fulfill. We are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them for the glory of Christ. But, how do we accomplish this task? I think local congregations all over are struggling with achieving this task. For most of us, it isn't not knowing what we are supposed to do, it's not knowing how to do what we are supposed to do.
First, we must go. We cannot make disciples where the gospel is not proclaimed. This "commission" was given to the apostles, but they turned around and taught to the other 109 people gathered with them in the upper room (see Acts 1-2). Although the book of Acts centers on the ministries of a few, it suggests that the work was done by the many. Christianity spread, because most, if not all, Christians were sharing their faith.
Gospel proclamation is absolutely essential to fulfilling the Great Commission. Paul states,
Second, we are to baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We are to mark them out through the act of immersion which symbolizes their death, burial, and resurrection. Believers are people who have, through faith, died to their sins and have been raised to newness of life. The baptism of the believer also signifies their entry into the community of faith and covenant with God. They were dead, but now they are alive. They are sealed with the mark, "holy unto the Lord." They are his prized possession, his beloved children whom he adopted.
Third, we are to instruct them in the teachings of Christ. The commands of Christ include more than the red letters we see in the New Testament (if your Bible is a red-lettered edition). It includes everything in the Bible from the first creation to the new creation. We teach them to walk in his ways, to observe what he commanded. Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, becomes their compass, their North Star. He is the fixed point by which they guide their lives. As they mature as they grown in grace and knowledge of their Lord Jesus Christ.
What would a congregation, built on and perpetuating the Great Commission, look like? The book of Acts gives us an excellent picture, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul. . . And the Lord added their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2: 42-47, ESV). The mission of every true church is to make disciples. The way that they must do this is to go, to baptize those who repent and believe, and to train them obey Christ's commands. If we do this, the Lord will add to our number those he has saved.
This passage is often referred to as the Great Commission, and it is the marching orders of the Church. The Church has been given a charge to fulfill. We are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them for the glory of Christ. But, how do we accomplish this task? I think local congregations all over are struggling with achieving this task. For most of us, it isn't not knowing what we are supposed to do, it's not knowing how to do what we are supposed to do.
First, we must go. We cannot make disciples where the gospel is not proclaimed. This "commission" was given to the apostles, but they turned around and taught to the other 109 people gathered with them in the upper room (see Acts 1-2). Although the book of Acts centers on the ministries of a few, it suggests that the work was done by the many. Christianity spread, because most, if not all, Christians were sharing their faith.
Gospel proclamation is absolutely essential to fulfilling the Great Commission. Paul states,
For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 'But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, " Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Rom.10:13-17, ESV).Therefore, we must go, proclaiming the gospel, before we can make disciples. In Matthew 13:1-9, Jesus teaches what has been called the "Parable of the Sower." While the parable deals with different responses to the gospel message (the seed), it is built around the concept of a sower (a gospel witness) going out spreading the seed (the word of Christ). Response is only possible where the gospel is preached. People cannot reject or accept something of which they have no knowledge. Ignorance is no excuse. They will be held accountable for their sins, and this truth adds urgency to the call to go.
Second, we are to baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. We are to mark them out through the act of immersion which symbolizes their death, burial, and resurrection. Believers are people who have, through faith, died to their sins and have been raised to newness of life. The baptism of the believer also signifies their entry into the community of faith and covenant with God. They were dead, but now they are alive. They are sealed with the mark, "holy unto the Lord." They are his prized possession, his beloved children whom he adopted.
Third, we are to instruct them in the teachings of Christ. The commands of Christ include more than the red letters we see in the New Testament (if your Bible is a red-lettered edition). It includes everything in the Bible from the first creation to the new creation. We teach them to walk in his ways, to observe what he commanded. Christ Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, becomes their compass, their North Star. He is the fixed point by which they guide their lives. As they mature as they grown in grace and knowledge of their Lord Jesus Christ.
What would a congregation, built on and perpetuating the Great Commission, look like? The book of Acts gives us an excellent picture, "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul. . . And the Lord added their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2: 42-47, ESV). The mission of every true church is to make disciples. The way that they must do this is to go, to baptize those who repent and believe, and to train them obey Christ's commands. If we do this, the Lord will add to our number those he has saved.
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