Discipline

 . . . discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.  (1 Timothy 4:7-10, NASB)

The Apostle Paul wrote his first letter to his protege, his son in the faith, Timothy, because there was trouble at the church at Ephesus.  Timothy was there, and Paul wrote to give instructions to correct the problems.  In this snippet from 1 Timothy 4, Paul speaks of godly discipline. 

What is the purpose of godly discipline?  According to Paul, “bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.”  There’s nothing wrong with working out.  No one disputes the physical and mental value of exercise.  However, Paul says there is eternal value to spiritual exercise.  In fact, he says the spiritual > the physical. 

According to Paul, there is both earthly and heavenly value in godliness.  Godly living attracts other people who may want to do the same.  This is valuable because of our mission to populate heaven.  Godliness is also important because as followers of Jesus, we’re in dress rehearsal for what we’ll be doing when we get to heaven.  So practice, because practice makes perfect! 

Paul concludes with why our actions are important:  “We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.”  God desires all of us to be saved, although it’s not His mandate.  But He is the potential Savior of us all.  It’s up to everyone to either accept the free gift of His Son, or to reject Him.  To those who pray Jesus into their hearts, God has promised the hope of eternal fellowship with Him in heaven, the New Jerusalem.  If you haven’t received Jesus, would you do it now?  Now practice!