Tag: godliness

Read: 1 Timothy 4:6-10 NLT – A Good Servant of Christ Jesus – If you – Bible Gateway

“…… train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8 NLT

A physical fitness program is worthwhile pursuing. There are countless benefits in maintaining good physical health. It is often said, ‘you have one life to live, so make it a good one.’ Being physically fit through exercising and healthy eating habits improves your life tremendously in this world but unfortunately doesn’t do a thing for the afterlife. But there is a training program available that will provide benefits for this life and the one to come. It is training yourself for godliness.

Paul told Timothy to train himself to be godly and to pass it on to those in the church he was pastoring. Timothy was battling false teachers submitting error in biblical doctrine leading people astray through godless ideas. It sounds very familiar to our day. Paul says not to waste time arguing over these ‘myths or fables’ which there really are, but to put a training program in place to instill godliness.

A spiritual training program for godliness requires self-discipline just as any physical fitness program. One must be dedicated to wanting spiritual growth and have a strong desire to live a godly life. Paul says this program promises benefits in this life. Benefits to us include a closer walk with God, a more effective prayer life, greater understanding of the Bible, and encouragement to share the gospel with others. This leads to the benefits of others as they now hear the word of God presented to them by godly people speaking and living the truth of the gospel and not the godless ideas of the day. We need to combat the false godless teaching of our day, but we must first be spiritually trained for godliness. So, let us get with the program.

“They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.” 1 Timothy 3:9 NLT

As 2025 comes to an end and we embark on a new year, ask yourself ‘was I able to fulfill any of the commitments I made for the year?’ If you have, praise God! There are not many of us who have been able to keep those well intended commitments. Any failed attempts during the year are concerning when we are seeking to improve in certain areas of our lives, but when we fail in our commitments to God concerning our spiritual lives it’s disastrous. We have failed God, ourselves, and all those around us.

The apostle Paul gave Timothy the qualifications he was to pass on to the those who would become deacons in the church. In the middle of these qualifications we find the essential and most important one, “They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.” (1Tim.3:9 nlt) The term ‘mystery of the faith’ refers to the truth of the gospel now revealed after being hidden until the resurrection of Christ. Jesus came to save sinners in which we are now to walk in the newness of life. Christians are to display Christ’s righteousness available through the Holy Spirit. Deacons must live a life that reveals the truth of the gospel which is living a life committed to godliness.

Although Paul is addressing future deacons of the church in this verse, this main qualification should be the commitment for every Christian to godliness in 2026. Those of us who know the Lord were called for a purpose. We are to share the gospel with others through words, through our lives, and through our commitment to godliness. Let’s make sure we fulfill this commitment all through 2026.