I'm Going to Pump...You Up - 1 Tim. 4:6-8

I read this a couple of times, trying to pull what God was saying out of it, and it took me a minute but I feel like I have it...

What Paul writes here is for us to "reject profane and old wives' fables, and exercise [our]selves toward godliness". So, what does that mean exactly?

Well, on face level, we understand we are not supposed to fall for false teaching, and that we are supposed to be holy. But, I don't think that is all of the connotation meant here.

First of all, "old wives' fables" means superstitions and old tales. There is a lot of that that happens today! Many people incorporate their old superstitions into their Christian faith. It is simply lunacy! If it is not in the Bible - don't incorporate it into your faith. Period. Many pagan and Wiccan beliefs have seeped through into the Christian faith and I think that it simply makes God sick, because all of these derived from Satan himself. Think about that the next time you try to live by a silly superstition!

The next part, though, is where I think the meat of the verse lies. Paul says we are to "exercise toward godliness". The word "exercise" shows that it is something that is not necessarily fun, but extremely important to continue on. Exercise means discipline. So, in turn, the exercising (or disciplining) of ourselves is what we are called to do!

Don't get me wrong - it's not what saves you! A faith and belief in Jesus Christ is the only thing that saves you from Hell. End of story.

Now, we are called to repent, but that only comes through this faith in Christ. Some people believe you have to repent first, and then you are saved. I don't see that as Biblical principle. You CAN NOT repent unless you already have Jesus Christ because the Holy Spirit is the ONLY way you are EVER going to overcome sin! It is a process - which is why Paul uses the word "exercise".

Have you ever tried running? I try to run every day when I can. Some days I can go three miles and not really be tired at all. Some days I make it a mile and almost pass out. Exercise fluctuates and some days you are better than others. But, you always need to work at it nonetheless, because if not you aren't going to be able to make it at all. Even the days when I don't do well, I still do it because I know the following days it will be worth it.

The longer you work at it, the better you become.

It is no different with "spiritual exercise". You are to always be doing it, even if you aren't doing a very good job at it. THIS DOES NOT MEAN YOU CAN DO A "BAD JOB" AT IT ON PURPOSE! This is not a license to do what you want! I am talking about the times when your flesh ultimately wins the fight and you give in. It happens - a lot!

Even though you may feel like you are failing horribly, simply stay with Christ, continue to repent and give him yourself, and together you two will finish the race set before you. But, if you try to run it on your own, you are going to fall flat on your face. God does not call you to be perfect as soon as you are saved - but He does call you to try!