Updated 28/08/2008

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SPIRITUAL FITNESS

In the recent Olympic Games we saw some amazing displays of physical fitness, and in the New Testament, the apostle Paul makes a lot of references to sport in his letters to the Church, because there is a lot a disciple of Jesus can learn from athletes.

In this discipleship event, Paul says we need to take time and trouble to keep yourself spiritually fit. Physical fitness has some value, but spiritual fitness has value for both this life, and on into eternity. (1 Timothy 4:7-8). We are not to become spectators in our faith, we are called to participate and excel in our discipleship. It’s important to be “race fit”

And we won’t receive the crown of righteousness unless we compete according to the rules. (2 Timothy 2:5). Athletes who don’t run according to the rules get disqualified. Let’s make a point of getting to know the Bible and then we will get to know how to run the approved way – according to God’s Word.

When Paul was nearing the end of his life, he said he’d fought the good fight, he’d have finished the race, he’d kept the faith, and that there was in store for him the crown of righteousness. (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Although he was old, Paul was still contending for the prize - and he was confident of being awarded it – but Paul knew, it is a marathon to the finish

In the discipleship event, there are distractions in the race. Paul asked his friends, who was it that had cut in on them and kept them from obeying the truth (Galatians 5:7), because someone had diverted them from running the approved way, and he warns us to take care and be obedient in everything so that Satan might not outwit us. We’re not to be unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:5-11). We have an opponent who tries to distract us in many varied ways. Mostly his ways are very subtle and appeal to our sinful nature – our selfishness. That’s why Paul says we need to grow in our spirituality, so we will be able to discern the subtle distractions along our path that attempt to hinder us in our race.

In the discipleship event, we need to remain focused. Paul sums his focus up by saying, he’s forgotten what is behind, and he is just solely focused on what is ahead. (Philippians 3:13). Don’t get distracted by things that have happened – your successes, failures, victories, disappointments … that was yesterday, don’t forfeit your life by constantly looking back. In the end, it won’t matter where you come from – good or bad, up or down. What matters is that you finish the race well, so fix your eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of your faith. If you not sure where to put your next step, just make sure you’re staying in step with the Lord who is the Spirit. He won’t be going anywhere, you shouldn’t. Paul says, if we live by the Spirit, we will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:16). Don’t allow yourself to be ‘being continually filled’ with the spirit that will influence you to conform to the pattern of this world, living according to the sinful nature, ‘being filled’ with fear, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness, envy, etc. Instead, be ‘being filled’ continually with the Spirit that influences you and empowers you to be transformed into His likeness – the godly pattern – and participate in the divine nature. “Keep in step with that Spirit.”

In the discipleship event, there is a prize. Paul says athletes undertake tough training to win a prize (or a gold medal) that will not last forever - but we do it to get a crown that will last forever (1 Corinthians 9:25). Given the option, I believe everybody wants to go to heaven and spend eternity living instead of eternally dying. Paul tells us, he fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith, and was looking forward to receiving the crown of righteousness that Jesus will award to him (2 Timothy 4:7-8). My greatest humbling, I’m sure, will be to receive such honour from His nail pierced hands. Little wonder Paul says we should work out our salvation in reverential fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Paul goes on to remind us that God is working in us so that we will desire to, and that we will, behave according to His good purpose – (Philippians 2:13) – because that’s where the prize is. Press on in His grace.

Blessings

Pastor Eric