We're to imitate God. We're to copy God. God is holy (Leviticus 11:45) and we are to be holy. God is merciful (Luke 6:36) and we are to be merciful. God is forgiving (Ephesians 4:32) and we are to forgive. God loves (1 John 4:11) so we are to love. We're to copy God. We're to be godly. We're to be like God. How can we do this?

       Notice that 1 Timothy 4:7 says,

1 Timothy 4:7

"exercise" (or train) "yourself to godliness."

There are several things this verse teaches us: (1) You are responsible to grow in godliness. No one else will do it for you. (2) Godliness takes discipline and training. It's easy to be lazy when it comes to spiritual exercise. (3) Godliness does not come quickly. We want to pray "Lord, make me godly" and expect Him to make us godly instantly. But God says to "train yourself to be godly."

       Paul uses the example of physical exercise. The Greeks put much importance on bodily exercise, because athletic events were very important to them. 1 Timothy 4:8 says

1 Timothy 4:8

"bodily exercise profits little: but godliness is profitable unto all things."

What is most important here, and the lesson that we must learn, is that Christians should put as much effort into the exercise for godliness as these athletes did for the exercise of their bodies.

       What is godliness? It includes a reverence towards God; loyalty to Him; fear (or respect) for Him; and imitating Him. Godli-ness can be seen this way: (1) Learning about Him (which can be done by studying His characteristics in the Bible); (2) Learning to live according to His Will; (3) Learning to be like Him.

       How does a Christian exercise for godliness? To be godly we must be like an athlete and exercise ourselves. How do we do this? There are six ways to exercise like an athlete and become godly.

1. THE ATHLETE EXERCISES HIS MUSCLES. With weights he stresses, strains and works his muscles. He builds the muscle up over time. The Christian exercises his faith: he puts his faith in God and puts his faith in God and puts his faith in God. We trust God for the things that we need and rely (or lean) on Him completely. This builds and strengthens our faith, just like the athlete builds his muscles.

2. THE ATHLETE EXERCISES TO BUILD STRENGTH, ENDURANCE AND POWER. An athlete doesn't become strong in one day or a few days or even a month or two. He keeps exercising for weeks and months. In the same way, the Christian must know that the only way that he can build his faith and have spiritual strength, endurance and power is to have his faith exercised.

3. THE ATHLETE DISCIPLINES HIMSELF TO EXERCISE. He makes a choice, "I will exercise one hour every day." And he keeps doing it.

4. THE ATHLETE CAREFULLY WATCHES HIS DIET. Olympic athletes do not eat anything they want. They only eat the foods that are excellent for their body. The Christian must watch what he puts into his mind. He must make sure that WHAT he puts into it is excellent and will help him to become godly. He only watches TV programs, video programs or movies that are excellent for his life. He only reads books and magazines that will help him to become a better person. And he doesn't just know about the Bible. He KNOWS the Bible.

5. THE ATHLETE GETS THE REST HE NEEDS. Rest for a Christian comes when you spend quiet time alone with God. Spending time alone with God gives new life to your soul and your spirit. The peace that passes all understanding is only received by those who get this rest.

6. FOR THE ATHLETE, THE END RESULT OF HIS EXERCISE MAKES HIM ABLE TO COMPETE. He knows that after all the exercise he will be strong and have a healthy body, a body that's in shape. And finally he can compete with Olympic athletes from around the world. He can be the best, an Olympic champion. He can win the prize.

      The Christian who exercises, and lets his faith be exercised will be a "workman not ashamed" (2 Timothy 2:15). The athlete can only use what he gets from exercise in THIS world, but the Christian receives what God promises in His Word. 2 Peter 1:3 says "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by his own glory and goodness." 1 Timothy 6:6-8 says "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."

      Are you godly? Do you look like God? Do you act like God? Do you want to be like God? How can you become godly? It takes training - training like an Olympic athlete. It takes exercise, building, discipline, an excellent diet and rest. If you want to be godly you must faithfully trust in God; you must be a lifetime student of this book - the Bible. You must only watch and read and listen to excellent things, to things that are excellent for your life. You must have quiet time alone with God every day. And one day you will see God face to face and He will say, 'Well done you good and faithful and godly servant."

by Steve Nicholes
LINKS TO . . . Other Bible Messages Genesis Esther Daniel Philippians James Complete Discipleship Topics