To Do Any Less Would Be Unwise At Best!

 “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

I Timothy 4:7-8

 

Surely godless myths and old wives’ tales would have no foothold in the church would they?

You can answer that question yourself by observing who wrote this letter

 and who it was being written to.

Paul the Apostle was writing to Timothy.

The truth is that much that is not The Truth can creep into the church and influence your life.

Paul would not have cautioned Timothy concerning it if it were not possible.

But his counsel turns, from the negative to be avoided,

to the positive action Timothy can engage in.  

He encourages his son in the faith to “…train yourself to be godly.”

There is no magic formula or secret recipe that turns you from ungodly to godly.

You must enter into training in the same way that a soldier or an athlete is trained.

It will require effort and commitment on your part.

Here’s the best part – even as the soldier has a drill sergeant and the athlete has a coach – we have one far, far greater who comes alongside and is our helper as we enter into training.

The Holy Spirit of God, the Counselor, is the one who come alongside of us.

He guides us in the things of God, bringing wisdom, conviction and direction to our lives.

Imagine you are an athlete in training for the Olympics and the most renowned coach in your sport offers to come alongside and coach you.

Now imagine that you turn your back on the offer.

That would be unwise at best.

It is o.k. to lean on the Holy Spirit as you grow in Christ.

It is more than o.k. - it is expected.

To do any less

would be unwise at best!