Food for Friday
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
The first part of January is a busy season for the operators of exercise and fitness clubs. They are filled with people who have made New Year resolutions to lose weight and to get into a better physical condition. Many of these people disappear within a few months, disillusioned with the initial results of their efforts and too lazy to keep up the required regimen. Do those clubs work? Certainly they fail miserably when it comes to weight loss as people use the excuse of doing exercises to continue gorging themselves with the carbohydrates and processed foods that are making them obese. The clubs do work for those who are seeking to improve their conditioning and strength, at least for the few who are dedicated enough to continue at it. But once they get off the treadmills and weights for any length of time, the old laziness habits and the flabby muscles return. How true it is that bodily exercise profits but a little.
Our text is not actually dismissing exercise outright. It acknowledges that there is a little benefit. That benefit – and for some the benefit is significant – is just for a little time, compared to the benefits that godliness provides. Even for those who exercise and keep in good shape into their adult years, bodily exercise profits only as long as we are in the body. But godliness has a profit throughout our lives – even when our bodies are laid aside in illness or injury – and into eternity. So when we compare the two, we find that godliness is the much more worthy pursuit for a Christian.
The promise that bodily exercise offers is fleeting and limited; the promise that godliness offers is permanent and powerful. Yes, those who keep themselves physically fit have a better life than those who don’t. They are stronger, healthier, and usually better able to cope with the stress and struggles of life. But so are those who make godliness their goal. These are the folks who study the Scriptures to model their lives on that of their Lord and Saviour. These are the folks who have a good testimony before God and men because of their honesty, their caring and compassion, and their dedication to the service of their King. These are the folks who shun the ideas of the world and embrace the truths of the Scriptures. For these folks, godliness gives them a peace and dedication that serves them well at all times and in all circumstances. Godliness has huge dividends in this life. And of course, godliness pays dividends untold in eternity. As we consider that we must all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10), we ought to consider preparing for that great review.
There will be no bicep measurements nor endurance testing done at the Bima. Nor will there be any listing of earthly accomplishments. The measuring stick there will be godliness, and the Lord will apply it with utmost accuracy and precision. It is there where the choice of godliness over bodily exercise will appear the most wise. -Jim MacIntosh