Godliness Has Value – Eternally

1 Timothy 4:8

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

OK – I’m 10 days post surgery and I am in that physical therapy time. Currently I have 4-6 weeks of passive PT to deal with and then another 6 weeks of therapy where I work my arm (I had rotor cuff surgery). After that I will spend the rest of the summer building up strength in my left shoulder and arm. Currently my strength in my right arm is three times that of my left arm.

As a former athlete who still tries to play some basketball and golf (maybe this fall) – I know what physical training is (to the degree that I played organized sports in school). I remember the 3-a-days in football with coach Al Laramore driving us. Better known to those of us who knew him at Annapolis High as Big Al. Big Al led Annapolis High to state titles in football (1978) – in basketball (1974) – and in lacrosse (1984 – 1985 – 1987). He is the only coach in Maryland history to take teams to state titles in three different sports.

Big Al would often tell us – as players – we might not be the most talented team but we would be the team in the best shape. He loved to practice and to train his teams. Discipline and hard work in training were important to him.

Today’s passage says the following – 1 Timothy 4:8 – For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

What spiritual training – godly training – are we doing on a regular basis? Some of us spent years preparing for the physical challenges of life. How much are we putting into our spiritual training? Are we attending a Bible Study where others can help us grow? Do we have daily devotions? Are we in a Sunday School class or other study? How’s our prayer life? Do we attend support groups or small groups? Do we attend worship as often as possible? Are these and other spiritual disciplines part of our regular practice?

We spend a lot of our lives preparing for things that are temporary. We need to spend much time preparing for what is eternal. Not only for us – but also – for those we influence. Our witness is a powerful influence to many around us. What does that influence look like? Is it a witness of God – or of our lack of godliness?

Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.